Lara Cresswell

Flexible appointments: Mon-Fri (day & evening), some Saturdays.

Online and Phone Sessions: UK-wide.  

Face-to-face Sessions: Warrington, Cheshire. Convenient for Manchester, Chester, Liverpool.

BACP and NCPS-registered counsellor and former social worker with 30+ years professional experience.

I'm Lara. I work with individuals who feel overwhelmed and stuck. I help them manage difficult feelings and explore ways forward. Together, we create a safe space to work through difficult experiences and gently move towards personal goals. Specialising in recovery from trauma, I often work with adults feeling trapped in unfulfilling situations and people-pleasing. I help them prioritise their needs, set limits, and live as the person they truly are.

I offer a compassionate and confidential setting to discuss whatever you wish without pressure. No judgements, hurrying you, or asking probing questions. Though I may offer new perspectives and possibilities, we work together at your pace towards the changes that you are looking for.

Qualifications

My core training is in Person-Centred counselling.  I have also undertaken a range of further courses in other approaches (e.g. CBT, psychodynamic, solution-focused), alongside training in trauma, safeguarding and child protection.  Main qualifications:

• Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
• Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision
• Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling
• Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work
• BA Hons Community Studies (Social Sciences)

Experience

I work full-time in private practice as a counsellor and clinical supervisor. Previous experience:

• Counselling in prisons
• Therapy in sexual abuse and domestic violence recovery services
• School counselling (mainstream and specialist SEMH)
• Online & telephone helplines
• Bereavement support
• Social work in child protection, family courts, and residential care

I deliver counselling online (via Zoom and phone) UK-wide and in person for clients from across the North West, including Grappenhall, Stockton Heath, and Lymm. I also offer walk-and-talk therapy. Instead of sitting face-to-face, we walk side-by-side outdoors, exploring issues in a natural setting.

I offer Person-Centred counselling and frequently provide therapy for trainees undertaking pluralistic and integrative training.

Sessions can be scheduled flexibly to suit your needs.

I offer a free, initial meeting of up to 30-minutes, via video call or in-person.  This is simply a conversation to see if we're the right fit.

My Fees

1-hour Counselling Session: £50.00 (£40.00 for trainee counsellors)

1-hour Supervision Session: £50.00 (£40.00 for trainee counsellors).

Fees are payable in cash or by card at the end of each session. Payment for online sessions and young people’s counselling is made in advance via payment link. 

Flexible appointments: Mon-Fri (day & evening), some Saturdays.

Online and Phone Sessions: UK-wide.

Face-to-face Sessions: Warrington, Cheshire. Convenient for Manchester, Chester, Liverpool.

Fully insured, BACP & NCPS-registered, ICO-compliant.

I have an Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision. I bring 18 years’ counselling experience and 13 as a former social worker, supporting clients of all ages across diverse issues. I offer individual and group supervision, in-person, by phone, and online, to counsellors, trainees and other helping professionals.

Alongside this I offer reflective spaces to practitioners in allied sectors: social work, probation, education, and health. Separate from line-management, sessions provide time to reflect on the emotional demands of your work, find support, and recharge. Please ask about options - groups, drop-ins, wellbeing check-ins.

My approach

My approach is Person-Centred and informed by the Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision: a flexible framework for exploring what’s happening for you, your clients, and within our professional relationship. I see supervision as a collaborative process built on trust and respect, where reflection on our experiences of each other contributes to its effectiveness.

My aim is to create a secure environment where you can explore your work openly, without fear of judgement, and engage with feedback that helps you practice safely as the therapist you aspire to be.  I provide a balance of support and challenge to help you grow and maintain high professional standards.

Who I work with

I supervise counsellors and trainees practicing Person-Centred counselling, as well as those integrating its foundations with other approaches. My supervisees work with adults and children in a variety of settings across the UK – from private practice and charities to universities, schools, and the NHS.

I particularly enjoy working with individuals who are curious about themselves and committed to exploring different perspectives collaboratively.  I value honesty, openness, and preparedness, and aim to offer the same in return.  I am passionate about ethics and the politics of therapy.

If you would like to find out more about working with me, please send me a message. I offer a free initial meeting of up to 30-minutes.

Fees

My fees are: £50.00 per one-hour session, £40.00 for trainees. Group/organisation rates on request.

Please note that trainee reports for college may be discussed and collaboratively written in supervision sessions.

Fees for online sessions are paid in advance via secure payment link. Payment by cash or card accepted in person.