Laura Grimshaw

PLEASE NOTE: I do not currently offer face-to-face appointments, I work online only (video sessions via Zoom). I apologise for any inconvenience.

Welcome to my BACP listing. 

Have you found lately that you are struggling with everyday life? Overthinking many situations and don't know how to handle them? Maybe you have tried to talk to friends and family and feel they don't know how to help you. Talking to a counsellor is nothing to feel ashamed of and is as normal as talking to a doctor when you are feeling poorly. 

Let me tell you a little about me. Throughout my career, I have worked with adults and teenagers with various mental health issues such as anxiety and panic disorders, depression, trauma and PTSD.  When I completed my Bachelor's Degree, my focus was on counselling autistic clients and this remains a part of my everyday work and continued professional development.

Being a counsellor is a consistent learning role and there is no such thing as being an "expert" when it comes to working with clients. The client is the expert in their own lives.

 I do not claim to have the answers but I do believe that you already hold the answers and my job is to be there as a guide, to help you explore your own inner world to find your own answers (yes, this is possible). There may not be any answers, there may only be finding acceptance and peace.

Think of a counsellor as a scaffold around a house that is under reconstruction. The counsellor is the scaffold that supports and holds, and you are the one working on the house, making positive changes. 

I consider myself an integrative therapist. This means I use various therapeutic methods when working with clients depending on their needs. These may include (but are not limited to)  cognitive behavioural techniques, creative work, and neuro-linguistic programming techniques. As a trained person-centred therapist, this remains my base in every session. To be person-centred means to have empathy with your client, to have a non-judgmental attitude, and to be genuine. Building a good therapeutic relationship is important for therapy to work.

My way of working is to get to know my clients and how they understand and process feelings and emotions. I get to know the learning styles and tailor my sessions so that my clients get the best out of therapy.

​I will be happy to provide a free 10-minute consultation call (this can be done via phone or Zoom if required) first, as it is important that you are happy working with me. You can use this time to ask me any questions about my practice or any general questions you have about counselling. 

With Zoom sessions, you will be sent a link to access the session and a password to enter.

Prior to the first session commencing I will email you a copy of the counselling contract and associated information. Please read these carefully before the session and if you have any questions about the content, please let me know and I will be happy to discuss them with you.

The first session is usually an assessment session. We talk about what issues you have been having and how they are affecting you. We discuss what it is you want to get out of therapy and how we can get you there. Feel free to ask me anything you need to know, I want our therapeutic relationship to be a collaborative one, it's important you are happy with the service you are receiving.