Dr Louise McDonnell
Working days/evenings – Monday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday.
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist a member of the British Psychological Society and Health & Care Professionals Council. When I started in this career, my original counselling training was Cognitive-Behavioural Therapist (CBT). As a result, CBT continues to inform some of my work, alongside several other theoretical approaches. My special interest is in trauma and I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for adults and children. EMDR is a highly specialised way of working with trauma and complex trauma. In addition to my academic and clinical training, I have gained extensive experience working with Neurodiversity.
It is over 15 years since I began this journey. As a result I’ve worked in many settings; alternative education & mainstream primary and secondary schools, prison, GP surgeries, Durham university and a number of work place counselling services.
My work involves a collaboration with you to find the root cause of problems. I am interested in how we grow, learn and develop. What makes us resilient, and what causes us conflict.
Before retraining as a counselling psychologist I worked in industry for a decade. I lived in Sweden and then London for many years before returning to the north east.
After almost two decades I still love coming to work. I enjoy engaging in ongoing training so I can offer the most up to date, and informed, service I can.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
At least 40 hours of ongoing training each year.
2019 – Level 1 EMDR Europe Child Accredited Core Training
2015 – 2018 Taught Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Teesside University.
2016 – EMDR levels 1, 2 & 3
2012 – 2013 Masters in Psychology, Sunderland University.
2010 – 2011 BA (Hons) Counselling, Sunderland University.
2008 – 2009 Foundation Degree Counselling (Specialising in CBT), Sunderland University, 2:1.
2006 – 2007 Levels 2 & 3 Counselling, Sunderland University.
I have an extensive and ongoing portfolio of CPD, current enhanced DBS, professional indemnity insurance and undertake my own personal therapy.
MEMBERSHIPS/AFFILIATIONS

British Psychological Society (No. 350066) associate member.
Health and Care Professionals Council (membership number PYL36742).