Lorraine Blake

My supervision style is warm, supportive, and grounded. I aim to create a calm and containing space where supervisees feel able to think openly about their work without fear of judgement. I listen closely and attentively, valuing both what is said and what may be harder to put into words. Where appropriate, I use gentle humour to ease anxiety and support reflection, while always holding the seriousness of the clinical work in mind.

The support I provide allows a creative space to share experiences, thoughts and feelings from a lived perspective and theoretical perspective. 

In terms of experience, I have gained over twelve years working as a counsellor in the NHS and education field, including secondary, further and higher education.  I have also accumulated many clinical hours in private practice using an integrative approach in my practice. 

Through personal experience I know choosing a clinical supervisor can be a daunting process.  It's not just a "ticky box" exercise, it's finding that person who you can feel comfortable enough with to reveal your uncertainties and vulnerabilities. It's a creation of space where you can bring complex cases, grow confidence and expand professional development.  A good match will support your growth, help you feel supported and safe.

I offer a collaborative, reflective supervision space where practitioners and trainee's can think deeply about their work, ethical dilemmas, and professional development at their own pace.

I offer a free 30-minute introductory supervision session to give you the opportunity to experience how I work and to see whether my supervision style feels like the right fit for you. Choosing a supervisor is an important decision, and this session allows us to explore that together, with no obligation to continue.

My supervision style is warm, supportive and grounded.  I aim to create a calm, safe space to discus work openly and honestly.  I believe supervision should be a space for reflection, learning and growth.

I particularly enjoy supporting trainee counsellors as they develop their skills and confidence within placement.  Working with clients for the first time can bring a mixture of excitement, uncertainty and self-doubt.  Trainees can explore their client work, ask questions, connect theory to practice and develop their own counselling identity.

I also provide supervision for qualified counsellors, a reflective space to explore clinical work, professional development, ethical and boundary considerations, use of self and the challenges that can arise within practice.

Whether you are developing as a trainee or are an experienced practitioner, I tailor supervision to your individual needs and stage of professional development.

I listen closely and attentively, valuing not only what is said but also that may be more difficult to put into words.  Where appropriate, I use gentle humour to ease anxiety and create a relaxed environment, while always holding the seriousness and responsibility of the clinical work.

Supervision is a collaborative and creative process, exploring experiences from both a lived and theoretical perspective.  My aim is to help you make sense of you work, develop greater self-awareness and confidence, and support you in continuing to grow as a counsellor.

I have over 12 years experience working as a counsellor across the NHS and education sector, including secondary, further and higher education.  I have also gained extensive clinical experience within private practice, working with a range of presenting issues using an integrative approach.  This breadth of experience informs my supervision practice and allows me to support counsellors at different stages of their professional journey.

Choosing a clinical supervisor is a personal decision, and I know from my own experience that it can sometimes feel daunting. It's about finding someone you can trust enough to bring your uncertainties, challenges and vulnerabilities, as well as the things you feel confident about.

For me, supervision is much more than a "tick-box" exercise. It's about having a space where you can slow down, think things through and talk openly about your work. A space where you can bring complex cases, explore responses and develop your confidence as a counsellor.

Whether you are a trainee counsellor beginning to find your feet in placement, or an experienced practitioner looking for ongoing support and reflection, I aim to offer a warm, collaborative and supportive space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. We can work together to explore what you need from supervision and what will best support your continued development.

I believe that supervision is built on a trusting relationship. My aim is to create a space where you feel heard, supported and able to think freely, while also having the opportunity to gently challenge yourself and develop your practice. 

I offer a 15-minute introductory supervision sessions, giving you the opportunity to experience what supervision with me might feel like.  This first session is a chance to meet, get to know a little about each other and begin exploring what you're looking for from supervision.

We can talk about your experience, your current stage of practice and what you would like support with, whether you are a trainee counsellor working in placement or a qualified practitioner.  I'll also explain a little about how I work and what you can expect from our supervision together.

Most importantly, it's an opportunity for you to get a sense of whether you feel comfortable with me and whether my approach feels right for you.  There is no expectation or obligation to continue - it's simply a relaxed first conversation where we can explore whether we would work well together.

I currently have a variety of availability including evenings and weekends. 

My therapy style is warm, supportive and grounded. I aim to create a calm and containing space where clients feel able to talk openly about their feelings without fear of judgement. I listen closely and attentively, valuing both what is said and what may be harder to put into words. Where appropriate, I use gentle humour to ease anxiety and support reflection, while always holding the seriousness of the therapy work in mind. 

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The support I provide allows a creative space to share experiences, thoughts and feelings from a lived prospective and theoretical prospective.

In terms of experience, I have gained over twelve years working as a therapist in the NHS and education field, including secondary, further education and higher education. I have accumulated many clinical hours in private practice using an integrative approach

Through personal experience I know choosing a therapist can be a daunting process.  It’s not just a “ticky box” exercise, it’s finding that  person who you can feel comfortable enough with to reveal your uncertainties and vulnerabilities.  It’s a creation of space where you bring complex feelings, explore behaviours and examine perspectives. A good match will support your therapeutic journey and help you feel supported and safe.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know how best to support your teenager when they're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or under pressure.  They may find it hard to talk about what's going on, or worry that they won't be understood.  Counselling can give then a safe, supportive space to express themselves openly, without judgement or the fear of upsetting someone.

I work with teenagers experiencing  anxiety, stress, family difficulties, low mood or the impact of past experiences.  I take time to build trust and develop a positive therapeutic relationship, working at a pace that feels comfortable for them.  Parents and carers are kept appropriately informed, while respecting your teenager's privacy and independence.

Growing up isn't always easy.  School pressures, friendships, exams, feeling left out or isolated, family difficulties and challenging experiences can all affect a young person's emotional wellbeing.  They may become anxious, withdrawn or low in mood, struggle with their confidence or self-esteem, or find it difficult to understand and manage how they're feeling.

As a parent or carer, it can be difficult to see your child struggling, particularly when you're unsure what they need or how you can help.  Sometimes having someone outside of the family to talk to can make a real difference.

With over a decade of experience working with young people and teenagers in schools and colleges, I provide a warm, safe and supportive space where young people can feel comfortable being themselves and talk openly without judgement.  I take time to get to know each young person, build trust and understand what life is like for them.

Together, we can explore what they're experiencing, help them make sense of their feelings and develop ways of coping with the things they're finding difficult.  I work at their pace, with support offered for as long or as short a time as needed.

I offer face-to-face sessions in Benton, as well as online sessions via video or phone call.

If you are worried about your child and feel that they may benefit from some extra support, you don't have to know exactly what they need before getting in touch.

I offer a free initial phone call or meet for parents and carers, giving us an opportunity to talk about what you've noticed, any concerns you have and how your child has been feeling.  We can discuss what support might be helpful and I can answer any questions you may have about counselling.

It's also a chance for you to get to know a little about me and how I work, and to see whether you feel I could be the right person to support your child.  There's no pressure or obligation to book - just a friendly conversation to help you decide what feels right.

If you are concerned about your child, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  Sometimes taking that first step and having someone to talk things through with can make things feel a little easier.

You can contact me by phone or email and we can arrange a time that's convenient for you.