Louise Socratous

It’s times like this that can cause us to look at ourselves and re-evaluate our lives. We might discover that we’re not happy in our relationships, our jobs, realising that life is too short to be living an unsatisfactory inauthentic life. 

Change, as difficult and daunting as it is, can take place when we start to ask ourselves questions about what’s going on beyond the surface, breaking down the barriers, learning to be open to new experience and emotions….opening the door to our true authentic selves.

How I work:

I work from a Person-Centred model, which means that I give you the space to explore and work through what’s going on, in your own time.

However, I know everyone is different, so I often draw upon knowledge of other theoretical approaches to fit in with what you need. These can include:

Existential therapy which focuses on your view of life and your experience of living

Psychodynamic counselling looks at our childhood and how we become who we are today

Motivational Interviewing helps you to identify changes and most importantly, your reasons for changing. These changes can be absolutely anything. For example, eating too much or too little, drinking too much, watching the TV too much or wanting to exercise more.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at how a person’s thoughts and beliefs have an effect on their feelings and behaviours

Mindfulness helps you to focus on the present moment

Areas I am particularly experienced to help with:

Spirituality and existential issues, life changes, trauma, domestic violence, abusive relationships, addiction / dependency, childhood sexual abuse, loss, anxiety, depression, identity issues and sexuality.

When we experience traumatic or upsetting times in our lives this can upset the equilibrium. As a result of this, we experience somatic symptoms in our body resulting from unprocessed emotional issues. We may look for ways to cope to stop ourselves feeling pain, this might be by developing an addiction or dependency. We could act or behave differently, become withdrawn and isolated, shutting people out. 

We may feel we have no-one to turn to, or that we can’t reach out to the people closest to us through fear of not being understood or that we might be judged but asking for help is brave. Counselling can offer that confidential space and help you to explore and make sense of the issue that's bothering you.

Qualifications:

I hold a BA Honours (level 6) in Counselling. 

I also have a Foundation Degree (level 5) and a BACP accredited Diploma (level 4). 

I am also trained in Mindfulness and Motivational Enhancement Therapy.

Training:

I am always committed to the wellbeing of my clients. I regularly undertake Continuing Professional Development (which include books and lectures) which enables me to best help my clients.

Some events I’ve recently attended include:

- An Evening with Emmy Van Duerzen: To be or not to be: an existential journey, 2019

- The Rewind Technique for PTSD with Dr David Muss, 2019

- How to Overcome Negative Thinking with Dr Roy Baumeister, 2019

- Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Connection Between Stress and Disease with Dr Gabor Mate, 2019

- Attachment Theory and Psychotherapy with Professor Jeremy Holmes, 2020

- A Day on Relational Depth with Mick Cooper, 2020

- The Impulse to Hoard! with Madison-Amy Webb, 2020

I offer initial assessment sessions at £25. There is no commitment at this stage.

This initial 50 minute session will give us the opportunity to talk about the reasons that are bringing you to counselling and what you may want to achieve. 

It will then give you a chance to experience what therapy will be like with me. By the end of this session we would have an understanding about what it would be like working together.

If you choose counselling is for you we can then decide upon the weekly time of our sessions.