Talk Durham

Dr Louise has worked in mental health for over 15 years locally and internationally, with both adults and children. Her practice is deeply rooted in a non-judgmental, empathic approach. Therapy is a collaborative relationship and the approach is tailored to fit your needs.
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Therapy

All of the work completed at Talk Durham is governed and scrutinised by industry bodies. Dr Louise is governed by the Health & Care Professions Council and the British Psychological Society.
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ADHD Assessments

An ADHD assessment involves a number comprehensive assessments, psychometric tests and collection of additional data.
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A drone view of Durham Cathedral
A drone view of Durham Cathedral

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them" Maya Angelou

Counselling Psychology is a protected title. Protected titles are legally regulated, and individuals using these titles must have met stringent, and ongoing, educational, training, and ethical standards.
To call yourself a Counselling Psychologist you must have completed training up to and including a doctorate. Additionally, you will be registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). HCPC regulates ethical and professional standards to ensure safety and consistency in those using the titles. Further information on mental health providers and protected titles can be found here.

Counselling Psychology is a flexible, progressive, and inclusive form of therapy. Dr Louise is theoretically integrative and draws on theories of human development, early childhood development and attachment in her work. This is deeply rooted within humanistic, psychoanalytic and cognitive behaviour theories and allows a bespoke therapeutic service which matches evidenced-based treatments to each client and presenting issue. This includes the integration of both CBT and EMDR if appropriate.

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What does it involve?

Therapy begins with an initial assessment. This involves an in-depth history taking, including understanding your childhood, schooling and early family life. Exploring early childhood is never about apportioning any blame to family members, rather, it is about understanding what messages you absorbed growing and how they have shaped you currently.

You are under no obligation to share anything which you do not feel comfortable sharing.

You are under no obligation to book a next appointment, feel free to take as much time as you want to decide if/how you wish to proceed.

Therapy is most effective on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

When is counselling psychology used?

Counselling psychology can be incorporated into any type of therapeutic work with children, adolescents and adults. Dr Louise will consider your individual personality, identity, life stage, goals, spiritual beliefs, and motivation level to decide the best approach to therapy for each individual person.
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Stained Glass Window in St Giles Church
Stained Glass Window in St Giles Church

  • Does counselling/therapy work?

    This is important question. A lot of the success between therapist and client depends on your expectations, and if you feel comfortable with your counsellor. An initial assessment helps to

    1. Clarify your goals from counselling.
    2. See if you feel comfortable in the environment
    3. See if you feel comfortable with the therapist. It is ok, and normal, to change counsellors.

  • How do I know if I need counselling?

    Only you can decide if this is the right time to start therapy. Talking to someone confidentially, who is not a friend or family member can make all the difference.

  • Is counselling confidential?

    Confidentiality will be explained in full during the first session. Ethical guidelines which govern confidentiality in our work can be found here for counsellors, and here for counselling-psychology work. You will be given a copy of our therapeutic contract for your records.

  • How long is counselling?

    Each therapeutic journey is unique to you. You can go to a therapy once, for a few months, or embark on long-term therapy. It is important to note that therapy is a commitment; emotionally, financially and of your time. To enable your sessions to work it is important to consider these commitments, this is explored during an initial assessment.

  • How much does therapy cost?

    The fees for therapy sessions are as follows:

    • Daytime Weekday Appointments: £90

    • Weekday Evening Appointments (from 6 PM onwards): £100

    • Weekend Appointments: £100

    These rates apply to both in-person and online sessions.

    *If you provide 24 hours or more notice, your session fee will be refunded. However, if less than 24 hours’ notice is given, the session will be charged in full.

  • Is therapy for times of crisis?

    If you are having a severe mental health crisis or if you are feeling suicidal please speak to emergency services (UK) call 999 and make an appointment with your GP.

    A therapeutic crisis could be bereavement, relationship breakdowns, heightened anxiety, deepening of depression or shocking/unexpected news. With this in mind, the reason for booking an appointment at this point can to be to understand what is happening and why, to increase stability and reduce overwhelming feelings.

    Sometimes, however, people enter therapy because of a crisis, and then find there are things that underlie the crisis. This can involve longer term work, looking at childhood experiences for answers to why certain things keep happening to you.

    People also look for support in times of change. Starting university, becoming a parent, getting married or retiring from work “should” all make us happy, are you confused that you don’t feel happy about these things?

    People to seek therapy for specific problems such as social anxiety, disordered eating, OCD, exam stress, trouble saying no, work problems, procrastination, relationships, depression.

    Sometimes people book appointments to work on problems which seem more unclear. Often people explore personal growth and the next chapter of life. This can involve looking forward while also acknowledging lifelong issues which need a more in-depth analysis.

  • Is it confidential, judgmental, embarrassing?

    Confidentiality is explained in full during an initial assessment.  This service is non-judgmental and while you may hold some embarrassment about disclosing issues we hope that we can very quickly alleviate any embarrassment so as to best support any problem you may be struggling with.

FAQs about our therapy and counselling services

If you have any other questions that are not answered here then please get in touch.

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