Laura Williams - Therapeutic counsellor

Hi, I’m Laura. I offer a warm, collaborative space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted as you are.

You might be feeling overwhelmed, constantly on edge or like your holding everything together for everyone else.

Maybe you struggle to feel seen in relationships, find yourself replaying conversations in your head, wondering what other people think, or feel like your never quite “good enough”?

You don’t have to keep carrying this on your own. Therapy with me is a space where we can gently explore what’s going on for you, at your pace, in a way that feels safe and supportive.

Outside the therapy room, I have over a decade of experience working within the Health and Social care sector. I’ve supported neurodivergent young people in their daily lives and worked with adults of all ages, living with disabilities, health conditions and mental health challenges.

I’ve seen first-hand the impact of navigating systems that can feel rigid, frustrating and sometimes overwhelming. I’ve also seen how this affects families and those in caring roles.

Are you someone who always puts others first, only noticing how worn out you are when you reach breaking point?

Alongside my private practice, I also work as a therapeutic mentor with neurodivergent and disabled children and young people. Some of the young people I support have experienced school-based anxiety and trauma.

If your a parent or supporting a young person through this, I bring an understanding of the challenges you may be facing.

You may also work within these systems yourself. You are welcome to bring anything you’re struggling with into our 1:1 confidential counselling sessions.

I believe everyone has the capacity for self-healing and growth. This is a space where you are free to show up as you, whatever that looks like in the moment.

I am neurodivergent-affirming and trauma-informed. I am a person-centred integrative therapeutic counsellor. This means I draw from a range of approaches and tools, tailoring your sessions to what feels most supportive for you.

I see clients for in-person sessions in local Bournemouth therapy rooms. Or online or over the phone throughout the UK.

I usually work Monday-Thursday between 10am and 4pm – please contact me to hear my current availability.
My availability changes frequently so if there is a preferred time/day let me know. I aim to be adaptable.

Qualifications:

Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
MBACP Certificate of proficiency
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
The Open University BACP Counselling Online
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

Recent CPD (Continued professional development)

Working therapeutically with disability
The psychology of panic attacks
Carolyn Spring – Working with shame, relational trauma and child sexual abuse CPD’s
Safeguarding adults and children workshop
Understanding and recovering from trauma in SEN
Neurodivergent experiences of attachment & interpersonal trauma
Supporting executive functioning, in lower demand ways

I am a registered member of the BACP and have an enhanced DBS check.

I have experience in working with clients who have – visible and Invisible disabilities. AuDHD. Who have Neurodivergence and questioning their neurodiversity. Clients getting to understand themselves. Clients exploring challenges at work or college/university. Clients who are HSP (Highly sensitive person) Making sense of your identity and struggling with self-acceptance.

You do not need a formal diagnosis of a neurodivergence to work with me – self-identifying is perfectly welcome and valid. The diagnosis journey is often complex and difficult to access. We can also explore if you have a recent diagnosis or recently self-identified neurodivergence such as Autism or ADHD and seeing life through this new understanding, which can include feeling a loss for past experiences, particularly with late diagnosed/identifying.

If your unsure of what to speak about, or the processing feels to overwhelming there is a range of creative activities we can explore together in sessions such as working with therapy emotion cards or seeing what comes up with objects such as stones. Let me know what is the best way to work with you and we can adapt the sessions to your needs – or explore this in sessions. For example you may like to use fidget tools or draw in session. There is no right or wrong, whatever helps you feel more comfortable.

I have experience in working with clients who are:

Neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD)
LGBTQ+
Living with visible and invisible disabilities
Experiencing anxiety, trauma or burn out
Struggling with relationships, loss or low self-esteem
Experience social anxiety and overwhelm
Experience masking or adapting to ‘fit in’

I am not here to change you. My role is to support you and walk alongside you.

Through therapy, we can explore your needs together, supporting you to reconnect with yourself, your values, and your voice and helping you move forward at your own pace.

I welcome working with clients who are from all walks of life, all ages and genders and who come with a range of experiences and challenges.

You are welcome to take your time and decide if I am the right therapist for you.

Feel free to email me at – laura@laurawilliamscounselling.co.uk

Or visit – http://www.laurawilliamscounselling.co.uk

Reach out if you have any questions or accessibility needs.

Alternatively, on my LinkTree link – you’ll find on this page by clicking ‘Visit Website’, you will find my social media pages, a contact me form where I will reply back to you and an email template you can edit and copy into an email to me, if you are unsure of how to start or it feels overwhelming.

I aim to respond to all messages within 48hours of my working week.

After you’ve reached out, I will contact you back and ask for some information to see how best I can support you and book in for an initial meeting. I can offer a free up to 15 minutes phone call or video call if this is preferable to email communication – Just ask if you would like this.

In the initial meeting we get to know each other and see if were a good match, this is a no obligation session to explore more about how I can help you, whether your looking for short or long term support.

I understand reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step. You don’t need to have all the right words or know exactly what to say and you can take your time in sharing what feels important to you.

If something here has resonated with you, you’re very welcome to get in touch

Warmly,

Laura