Who we are

Talk Durham is a local service based in central Durham, working from the second floor of St Giles Church. We are not a faith-based service, but based in a church due to the peaceful nature of the space.

There is ample free parking right outside our office.

Book an appointmentContact us
Bridge over the river in Durham
Bridge over the river in Durham

Dr Louise has worked in the area for over 15 years and Talk Durham has been embedded in the community for over 5 years.

Education & Professional Training

Having lived and worked in the area, including at Durham University for many years, we have vast local knowledge and understanding of the specific challenges, resources, and cultural context of the area.

  • 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

Logo of the british psychological society
British Psychological Society (No. 350066) associate member.
Logo of the health $ care professional council
Health and Care Professionals Council (membership number PYL36742).
Headshot of Dr Louise

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.

I am training in third wave CBT techniques including mindfulness, ACT, DBT and CFT.

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. I have recently worked in Dubai as a counselling psychologist.

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

Book an appointment

  • 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.

Contact us