Lorraine Ann

I provide a safe space for individuals to share the reasons and events that have brought them to seek counselling/psychotherapy. As an integrative therapist, I don't believe that the same approach suits all clients and will work with you in a way that matches your needs and wants. I believe that the relationship between you and your counsellor/psychotherapist is of the highest importance, and if that counsellor/psychotherapist is me, I will believe what you tell me, accept you for who you are and help you to process your past and find your own inner healing and acceptance. I also offer mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and grounding techniques if you are experiencing an emotional crisis. I will work at your pace and will prioritise open and honest communication between us.

I understand and am experienced in working with neurodivergent clients who, amongst other things, may be Autistic or have ADHD or both. I am an LGBTQi+ ally, and alongside this, I have lived in ten countries on three continents, and am aware of how cultural and religious differences may inform therapy. As someone who also works for the NHS as a sessional counsellor, I have a wide experience of working with clients from many different backgrounds, some of whom have reached crisis points in their lives. 

Most of my work is online, and the platforms I currently use are Teams or WhatsApp video calls, which state they are GDPR compliant and/or securely encrypted.  Face-to-face counselling is available on request, but spaces for this are limited.  

4U- therapy is

• Confidential and boundaried and adheres to the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy ethical framework.

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• Non-judgemental

• Egalitarian, where the client/therapist relationship is central to the therapy

• Integrative/eclectic and based on the needs and preferences of the client

I offer a free, initial 20-30-minute online session via Zoom.

In this initial session, you can ask me any questions about fees, availability, and my working method.

Additionally, I will ask what has brought you to seek counselling and what you expect to gain from it.

If we decide to work together, I will send you a counselling agreement, which I will ask you to sign and return before the next session. You will be free to end the sessions at any time in the process.

Payment is by bank transfer and is due on or before each session. 

I offer flexible session lengths (30 - 90 minutes) and concessionary rates, where applicable, for students or others on a low income.

My availability fluctuates as I work in private practice as a counsellor and supervisor and as a sessional counsellor for the NHS. This means I have a rolling caseload, and different time slots become available throughout the year. Please get in touch with me for my current availability.

Supervision is a forum for counsellors to reflect on all aspects of their clinical work. In supervision, I prioritise the welfare of the counsellor's clients and the quality of the service they receive, whilst supporting the counsellor in their work.  I am an integrative supervisor and follow Proctor's model of supervision, which is at times normative, formative and/or restorative. My supervisory style is based on a person-centred approach, and I offer accommodations to personal differences or needs. I welcome neurodivergent clients and am knowledgeable and experienced in this area. I also welcome clients from all cultures and consider myself to be culturally curious, having lived in ten countries across three continents. 

The way I work differs depending on the level and competencies of the supervisee and where they are in their counselling journey. With experienced counsellors, I tend to use a more collegiate approach, whilst with student counsellors, I can offer more guidance and support. This follows the Integrative developmental model of supervision. I have extensive experience working online. and currently use both the Teams platform and WhatsApp video calling for counselling and supervision. Both state they are GDPR compliant. Face-to-face supervision in Prestatyn, North Wales, is available on request and may require a surcharge for room hire.

I also offer supervision to both trainees and qualified supervisors for their supervisory work. 

I am available for one-off supervision sessions to counsellors who unexpectedly find their regular supervisor is not available.

What you can expect from me. I will 

• Treat you with dignity and respect at all times.
• Be available at the agreed time.
  
• Start and finish on time
  
• Offer an appropriate confidential space online/in the room. 
  
• Maintain safe professional boundaries
  
• Encourage you to develop and expand. your inner supervisor through autonomous decision-making 
  
• Work within the ethical framework that you practice under.
  
• Review the supervisory relationship regularly, and be open to feedback.
  
• Keep equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of my interactions.

In between sessions, I am contactable by email to arrange a ten-minute phone call if necessary if you have a dilemma which can't wait until our next booked session.

I offer a complimentary 20- 30 minute  "meet and greet session" online, where we ask each other questions and explore what you seek in supervision. We will have a chance to discuss the supervisory agreement and to decide if we are a good fit before proceeding.