Louise Montgomery

I am a Brighton-based Humanistic therapist and qualified Integrative Supervisor.  I hold a BSc (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling, undertaken at Metanoia Institute, London.

I hold a Diploma in Integrative Supervision from the Minster Centre. Diversity and difference were central to this training and remain an important part of how I approach supervision. 

My therapeutic approach draws particularly on Gestalt, Person-centred therapy and Transactional Analysis.   I have a clear understanding of Internal Family Systems and Family Constellations and blend these modalities for a creative, interactive approach to therapy.

At the heart of my supervision practice is that learning comes from a genuine, collaborative relationship, where we can be curious, reflect openly and make sense of the therapeutic work together.

I'm interested in how our identities, cultures, lived experiences and assumptions shape the therapeutic relationship, and in creating a space where these can be explored openly and thoughtfully.

My practice is rooted in Humanistic wisdom, I'm very down-to-earth and don't believe supervision needs to be formal, intimidating or full of jargon.

I have particular experience and expertise in working with trauma, domestic abuse, addictions and issues affecting women. These areas of work can bring complexity into the therapeutic relationship, and I see great value in having the space in supervision to slow things down and explore what may be happening beneath the surface.

Trauma-informed practice is an important part of my work. I’m interested in helping therapists think about safety, boundaries, choice, power and control, as well as the ways that trauma can show up in the therapeutic relationship. With domestic abuse, I’m particularly mindful of the complexities around coercive control, relationships, self-worth, safety and the impact of abuse over time.

I also have extensive experience of working with substance misuse and the many layers that can sit alongside it. This might include shame, coping, relationships, trauma, loss and the ways in which behaviours can become a means of managing difficult experiences.

In supervision, I bring this experience alongside a strong belief that the supervisee is the expert in their own developing practice. We can explore the theory and clinical thinking where it is useful, but I’m equally interested in your experience of the client and of yourself within the work.

Developing your own therapeutic identity can be exciting, challenging and sometimes uncertain. I see supervision as a space to explore that journey, build confidence and find your own clinical voice.

My aim is to provide supervision that is thoughtful and clinically robust, while remaining warm, accessible and grounded in the reality of being a human being doing this work.

Our first session is an opportunity to get to know each other and explore how we might work together.  We'll talk about your experience, where you are in your professional journey and what you're hoping to gain from supervision. I'll explain how I work, and we'll consider the practical and professional aspects of our relationship.  Come as you are, with your questions, uncertainties and experiences.  I want you to feel comfortable bringing the whole of your practice into the room. That includes the work you're proud of, the clients you feel stuck with, the sessions that haven't gone as planned and those moments that leave you wondering, "What on earth happened there?"

My approach is relational, experiential and collaborative. I'm interested not only in what your client brings, but in what happens between you, what you notice in yourself and what those experiences might tell us.

I'll bring warmth, curiosity and encouragement, alongside thoughtful challenge when it's helpful. We can explore clinical decisions, ethical responsibilities, boundaries and risk, whilst also recognising the human experience of being a therapist. 

My role isn't to turn you into a particular kind of therapist. It's to help you become increasingly thoughtful, confident and authentic in your own way of working.  I believe you should be able to think freely in supervision, without feeling that you need to arrive with all the answers.

My supervisory practice is grounded in humanistic values and informed by a relational, trauma-aware approach.

I have particular experience in:

Trauma and its impact on relationships, including how trauma can shape safety, trust and the therapeutic relationship.

Domestic abuse and coercive control, including the complexities of power, boundaries, self-worth and safety.

Addiction and substance misuse, exploring the relationship between coping, shame, trauma, loss and behaviour.

Issues affecting women, including identity, relationships and significant life experiences.

I currently have availability both daytime and evenings.

I offer warmth and kindness, I resource my clients with tools for their own empowerment.   With my degree in Humanistic Counselling and 10 years of  experience working with mental health issues, addiction, domestic abuse and trauma. I come to you able to hold whatever you bring.  I am trained to work with the nervous system, to ease panic attacks & anxiety. I have further training in Internal Family Systems, especially helpful for eating disorders, Autism and ADHD. 

I bring understanding, compassion and supportive energy to my clients. I want to know you better, to see things through your eyes. I come to you without judgement, with a desire to bring calm and clarity to your life. I hope that my honesty and openness will support your healing journey. I will make you feel at ease.  

Many people see counselling as a place where they talk and the therapist listens, I will listen, but I will also support, resource you and help you find your way to wellbeing and calm. Together we can unpick any confusion, ease anxiety and bring light to the darker parts of your world. So let's work as a team to make things better.

I specialise in working with trauma, including domestic abuse, sexual trauma, childhood trauma and abuse. I have extensive experience in working with a diverse range of issues including ADD/ADHD, autism, anxiety/depression, PTSD and eating disorders.  I have long term experience in working with both Substance Misuse.

I have an Honours degree in Humanistic counselling, gained at Metanoia Institute London, a Diploma in Psychotherapy and an Advanced Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy. I am Polyvagal informed and use my training in Internal Family Systems to support my approach.

During our initial session, we will work together to understand your challenges more deeply.  We will address how these things affect your life now and collaborate to find resources that work for you and bring you ease.  I see most clients finding more balance and wellbeing within the first few weeks of therapy.