Lorraine Fothergill

I currently have availability.  Please ask for suitable days and times.  I do my best to find a day and time that works for you.

I am an experienced psychotherapist trained in different therapeutic models. Although I qualified in 2013 I have acquired additional therapeutic training every year since then.  I find the human being, and how to heal our suffering, an incredibly meaningful practice and pursuit.  

I have worked in various therapeutic services, including for NHS, Mind, Women's Services and Higher Education. 

Being with you in relationship, as you face difficulties will be a powerful part of our work together. Initially, feeling vulnerable with me can be a challenge in itself. This can provide the start of change and enable deeper insight.

We can explore and understand how you are experiencing the challenges you are facing.  This may mean we go back to early experiences which may have formed beliefs about yourself that may not be accurate or up to date.  We identify patterns of thinking and responses to discomfort and why certain triggers may be controlling or influencing how you see yourself, others, and the world.

I am also qualified as an EMDR therapist and use this technique to work with you and traumatic events that happened in the past, but that remain impactful now in the present. Trauma symptoms, whether they be physical, emotional or psychological can last for many years, even a lifetime. EMDR is a proven approach which clears the symptoms and alleviates anxiety generally. 

I am qualified to work with depression and anxiety. I can guide you through techniques to deal with the symptoms of anxiety and repair. I am interested in the relational aspect of being in the world and how difficult emotions are processed, especially in times of difficulty and distress.

I work with life’s curve balls (as well as what can feel like inescapable and embedded issues): relationship, loss, anger, confusion, sadness, overwhelm, and traumatic symptoms still playing out.  

I provide safety and encouragement for the emotional life you hold within you and help you process emotional injuries.  

Reaching out is possibly felt as the most unsure step. Initially, I'm here to listen to what's been happening, and what you hope to gain or change, from the therapy. We can decide together how we may proceed. You may have many questions, or none at all. It's all good. This is a start about something you already know a lot about but may have felt too overwhelmed to know where to begin.  

I work from the centre of York on Blossom St, or online.

For in person therapy, my therapy room is located in St Bede's Pastoral Centre. It has a comfortable waiting area and reception.

We will meet weekly, or sometimes fortnightly, usually on the same day of the week and time.

If you are interested in an initial chat, please send an email to me or leave a voicemail.  I will then contact you for a free 30 minute online or telephone consultation.  This will give us a sense of wanting to make a full session booking, which can be done  immediately, or after a short period of thinking about it.

Sessions are 50 minutes.

The first session is always a little different because I'll ask specific questions.  What I won't do is ask you to go into any detail about trauma.  

I have a Therapy Agreement which I will email you after this, outlining the contract: the cancellation policy for example.