Louise Murray

I  have worked as a Counsellor for 25 years.I offer a warm,genuine and respectful relationship. I provide a safe space, where you will be listened to very carefully and accepted without judgement. You may be experiencing unhelpful feelings about your self.  You maybe grieving.   Perhaps you are troubled by memories. People often come to counselling because they want to move away from old patterns of relating to them selves and  to others. Sharing  the things which worry you, in a relationship  in which you feel valued and heard, can help you move forwards and find more helpful ways of 'being you.' I am committed to affirming Diversity, open to each individual from within their own context, which will differ from mine. I offer some concessions in line with  income/circumstances.

I offer Face to Face sessions, 'Phone Counselling , Walk and Talk Outdoor Sessions.

My standard fee is 35.00 for individuals and 50.00 for couples.  Walk and talk sessions are 50.00 .You are welcome to email to arrange a (no fee) 30 minute initial call.

EXPERIENCE.

Alongside my private work, I have worked in schools with children with Special Learning Needs. I have worked in various Community  settings with young adults with learning needs, one of which was a community arts project.

I have  volunteered for several years   at a Womens' Mental Health agency. I worked with a group of very diverse women, focussing mainly on Abuse and Trauma.

I am on the Leeds Beckett Network of approved Therapists for trainees.

 TRAINING AND SKILLS.

I hold postgraduate training in Person Centred and Psychodynamic Therapy. I believe, though that it is the Relationship between Counsellor and Client, which helps people change.

I also hold a postgraduate certificate in Group Work.

In these uncertain times I offer 3 different ways of working. I have a certain number of face to face slots, working from my own private practice in Hebden Bridge. I practise from a large. light filled room  in the centre of town, minutes from the train and close to several car parks.

I offer 'phone counselling as an alternative to face to face work. I started working on the 'phone during Lockdown and I have found that it is possible to build a Working Relationship on the 'phone and to connect meaningfully.

I also offer 1 hour outdoor sessions. I live in Cragg Vale which is a beautiful wooded valley. Being outdoors in the natural world can be very healing and it can help us relate to our experiences in different and perhaps unexpected ways.

If you would like to find out more about me and the way I work, I offer a no-fee 30 minute phone call,on 01422 884525. Please email me to arrange a time to call, which is convenient to us both.

I understand that ringing a counsellor for the first time can feel very daunting. I believe in being very approachable and respectful. Hopefully this will help you share  what is troubling you and why you are seeking help. People often say that they feel relieved to have made the call and talked about things, which they may have been bottling up for a while.

This is also an opportunity to ask me about my training/skills areas and to ask about how I approach my work with clients.You might have other important questions.

This would also be the time for us both to discuss which of the 3 types of session would work best and what availability there is.

I will sensitively ask you to describe what is troubling you and what you are hoping to change. This will give me an indication of whether I am the right counsellor to support you. I will also ask some questions about  'Risk'. This is in regard to your Safety, to make sure that Counselling is the right form of support, at this time. This would also be the time to agree a concessionary fee, depending on your circumstances.

The idea of the call is to give us both a sense of whether we can work together.If you do decide that you would like to work with me, I will ask you for your home address and 'phone number. I will then email you a Contract outlining the terms of our work.

I hope that this information has been helpful and that it makes it easier to make the first step.

I offer face to face Supervision from my own private Practice, which is based in the centre of Hebden Bridge. I also offer telephone Supervision. I do not work on-line.

I offer a no fee/no obligation 30 minute 'phone consultation, to help prospective supervisees get a sense of whether they would feel comfortable working with me.

Equally, I would ask some questions about your working role and you work setting in order to check that I feel able to work with you.