Lisa Nicholson

Please contact me for availability of appointments.

In person appointments available in Preston and Chorley.

Online also available.

Counselling/Psychotherapy £50 (50 mins). 

EMDR Therapy £70 (60 mins)

Usual hours are 8am - 7:30pm (however earlier or later can be arranged)

I am also available for extended EMDR sessions where a more intensive approach is clinically appropriate.

I am a Â鶹ԭ´´-accredited integrative counsellor and EMDR Trained Therapist (EMDR Europe Accredited Trained), with many years’ experience, and I bring not only professional perspective but also a depth of lived experience. Having grown up and worked in environments where addiction, trauma, and stigma were very real, I understand first-hand how tough life can be and how vital it is to have someone who listens compassionately.

My way of working is integrative and flexible. I draw on person-centred, CBT, psychodynamic, gestalt and creative approaches, tailoring therapy to you rather than expecting one model to fit all. Some clients want practical strategies to manage anxiety or stress, others need space to explore the impact of past experiences, and sometimes creativity helps unlock feelings that words can’t fully express. However we work, I’ll adapt the process to your needs and pace. I am also available for extended EMDR sessions for clients who may benefit from a more intensive approach to trauma processing.

I am known for being down-to-earth, dynamic, honest, and compassionate. I don’t believe therapy should feel clinical or distant — it’s about real connection. Clients often say they value my openness and my ability to sit with the difficult realities of life without shying away. I’ve walked through my own challenges and supported many others through theirs, which allows me to meet people where they are, with empathy and respect.

Before private practice, I worked for many years with families, adults and young people affected by addiction, mental health issues, and trauma. I still facilitate training, recovery groups, workshops and family support groups. Clients come to me with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, addiction, relationship difficulties, and life changes. You don’t have to have the right words or even know exactly what you need — we can work it out together.

What I bring to this work is both professional expertise and lived experience. Having faced challenges in my own life including bereavement, stigma, addiction, mental health difficulties and illness, I understand how hard it can be to reach out for help. This personal insight, combined with years of counselling experience, allows me to meet people with authenticity, empathy, and respect.

My style is down-to-earth and collaborative. I don’t believe in quick fixes or one-size-fits-all approaches. Instead, I’ll work with you to explore your story, make sense of your feelings, and find practical strategies that help you move forward. For some, therapy is short-term and focused on specific goals; for others, it’s a longer process of healing and self-discovery. However you arrive, I’ll adapt our sessions to your needs.

Before establishing my private practice, I spent many years supporting individuals and families in the community who were affected by addiction, trauma, and mental health problems. I have also facilitated groups and delivered training for professionals, which has deepened my belief that connection and understanding can be life-changing.

Whether you are struggling with a current difficulty, carrying the weight of the past, or simply feeling stuck, my aim is to help you find clarity, resilience, and hope. Therapy is a space where you can be heard, valued, and supported in moving towards a life that feels more balanced and meaningful. These experiences shaped my belief that authentic connection and lived experience can be powerful tools for healing and change.

At the heart of my practice is the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. My aim is to help you make sense of your experiences, build resilience, and begin to move towards a future that feels more hopeful and meaningful.

I offer a free 20-minute initial session, either online or by telephone depending on what works best for you. This is an opportunity for us both to get a sense of whether we feel comfortable working together.

During this time, you can share a little about what has brought you to counselling and what you hope to gain from it. I will explain how I work, answer any questions you may have, and outline what therapy with me might look like. There is no pressure to go into great detail straight away — the aim is simply to give you space to decide whether you feel at ease and whether my style of working feels like a good fit.

The first step into therapy can feel daunting. Offering an initial conversation free of charge gives you the chance to try it out with no obligation and without the added pressure of financial commitment. Some people use this time to check practical details, like availability and session format, while others want to talk more about what they’re going through — both approaches are absolutely fine.

After this, if you decide you would like to continue, you can contact me and we can arrange ongoing sessions together. If not, that’s completely okay too — the most important thing is finding the right person for you.

The first session is simply the starting point on that journey.