Louise Whitnall

As a psychotherapist/therapist, my approach to in-person or online sessions lasting 50 minutes is rooted in creating a safe, supportive, and collaborative therapeutic environment. Here's an overview of how I work:

1. Establishing Rapport: At the beginning of each session, I prioritise building rapport and creating a comfortable space where you feel heard, understood, and valued. I welcome open communication and encourage you to share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns openly.

2. Setting Goals: Together, we will identify your therapeutic goals and establish a roadmap for our work together. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or other challenges, I will tailor our sessions to address your specific needs and preferences.

3. Exploration and Insight: In our sessions, we will explore underlying issues, patterns of thinking and behaviour, and the factors contributing to your current challenges. Through open dialogue and active listening, we will work towards gaining insight into your experiences and identifying potential areas for growth and change.

4. Skill Building: In addition to exploration and insight, therapy also involves developing practical skills and strategies to help you navigate life's challenges more effectively. This may include learning relaxation techniques, coping skills, communication strategies, or mindfulness exercises, among others.

5. Homework and Resources:Between sessions, I may provide homework assignments, reading materials, or resources to support your progress outside of our time together. These tools are designed to reinforce our work in session and empower you with additional skills and strategies to apply in your daily life.

Overall, my approach to therapy is collaborative, client-centred, and evidence-based. I am dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of care and supporting you on your journey towards greater well-being and fulfilment.

Welcome to my practice! As a therapist, I am committed to providing a supportive and compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Here's what you can expect from me:

1. Empathy and Understanding:  I approach each client with empathy, compassion, and nonjudgmental support. I strive to create a safe and welcoming environment where you feel comfortable sharing openly and honestly.

2. Collaborative Approach: Therapy is a collaborative process, and I value your input and participation in our sessions. Together, we will work towards identifying your goals and developing a personalized treatment plan to address your unique needs and concerns.

3. Evidence-Based Practice: I utilise evidence-based therapeutic techniques and interventions to help you achieve your goals. Drawing from modalities such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, and psychodynamic therapy, I tailor our sessions to best meet your needs and preferences.

4. Goal-Oriented Therapy: Our work together will be focused on helping you make tangible progress towards your goals. Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or other challenges, I am here to support you every step of the way.

5. Confidentiality: Your privacy and confidentiality are of the utmost importance to me. Our sessions are confidential, and I adhere to strict ethical guidelines to ensure your information remains secure.

6. Supportive Environment: Throughout our work together, I am here to provide guidance, support, and encouragement. I believe in your capacity for growth and resilience, and I am dedicated to helping you navigate life's challenges with confidence and empowerment.

Thank you for considering me as a partner on your journey towards healing and personal growth. I look forward to the opportunity to support you in reaching your goals and living a more fulfilling life.

This initial session is crucial for us to get to know each other, discuss your concerns, and determine if we are a good fit to work together. During this session, I typically ask clients to complete an intake assessment to gather information about their background, current challenges, and goals for therapy. This assessment helps us establish a baseline and identify areas of focus for our work together. Additionally, I encourage clients to ask any questions they may have about the therapy process, my approach, or what to expect moving forward. It's important to me that clients feel informed and comfortable throughout our work together, and I strive to create a supportive and collaborative environment from the very beginning.

I currently have space for individual and couple work.

As a BSc Hons psychotherapist/counselor and supervisor, specializing in relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, and disorders, my approach to therapy is holistic and client-centered. I work with individuals, couples, and families to navigate life's challenges and find healthy resolutions. With a background in private practice, collaboration with GP's, mental health teams, and collaborative divorce lawyers, I bring a diverse perspective to my work.

My work ethic is rooted in helping individuals uncover their true potential and live life with purpose and meaning. Whether it's supporting clients through life-changing events such as childbirth, separation, divorce, or other relationship difficulties, I strive to empower them to find self-respect and value.

In addition to my private practice, I also work in a clinic as a therapist, supervisor, and clinical assessor. My experience extends to working in a university setting with individuals, couples, and groups, allowing me to draw from a variety of academic and psychotherapeutic sources.

As a relational psychodynamic supervisor, I offer experienced therapists a well-rounded view informed by various theoretical perspectives. I also collaborate with lawyers, providing insight into the general processes of divorce and helping clients explore potential routes forward.

My profile reflects a lifelong interest in psychology and understanding human behavior. With a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, I am dedicated to providing compassionate and effective support to my clients as they navigate life's complexities.

Member organisations

BACP

Welcome to my practice! With a background in Anthropology and Psychology, coupled with extensive training and experience in psychotherapy and counseling, I offer a comprehensive range of services to support individuals, couples, and groups in their journey towards healing and personal growth.

I provide both brief and longer-term psychotherapy, as well as systemic and relational work, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Drawing from a variety of therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and couples therapy, I collaborate with clients to explore their concerns and work towards meaningful change.

My practice locations in Shoreham by Sea and Hove offer a warm and welcoming environment for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In addition to private practice, I collaborate with GP's, The Carers Centre, The University of Sussex, collaborative divorce lawyers, and the police firearms unit, demonstrating a commitment to working within diverse settings and with varied client populations.

As an accredited psychotherapist and counselor, I adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. I also offer supervision to other therapists, drawing on my extensive training and experience to support their professional development.

Whether you're seeking support for anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, or other challenges, I am here to provide compassionate and effective therapy tailored to your needs. It would be my privilege to accompany you on your journey towards greater well-being and fulfillment.

The first session allows  us to get to know each other and determine if we decide we are a good fit to work together. During this session, I typically ask clients to complete an intake assessment to gather information about their background, current concerns, and goals for therapy. This assessment helps us establish a baseline and identify areas of focus for our work together. Additionally, the first session serves as an opportunity for clients to ask any questions they may have about the therapy process, my approach, or what to expect moving forward. I strive to create a supportive and collaborative environment from the outset, ensuring that clients feel informed and comfortable throughout our work together.

As a supervisor for other counselors and psychotherapists, my experience has been multifaceted and deeply rewarding. Overseeing the professional development and growth of others in the field of mental health has allowed me to witness the transformative power of guidance and support firsthand.

I offer insight, feedback, and guidance on therapeutic techniques, case conceptualisation, and ethical considerations. This requires a keen understanding of various therapeutic modalities, as well as the ability to adapt supervisory approaches to meet the unique needs of each supervisee. Whether it's through individual supervision sessions, group discussions, or case presentations, I strive to create a supportive and collaborative environment where counselors and psychotherapists feel empowered to explore their clinical work and enhance their skills.

Additionally, I am responsible for fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth within the supervision setting. This involves facilitating opportunities for ongoing education, such as workshops, trainings, and peer consultation groups, to ensure that supervisees stay informed about the latest research, best practices, and emerging trends in the field. By encouraging a spirit of curiosity and openness to new ideas, I aim to inspire supervises to continuously refine their clinical competencies and deepen their understanding of human behaviour and mental health.

 I strive to instil confidence and trust in supervises as they navigate the complexities of the therapeutic relationship and uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.

Overall, my experience as a supervisor for other counsellors and psychotherapists has been characterised by a deep commitment to supporting the professional growth and development of others in the field of mental health.

In my practice, I take a holistic approach to therapy, recognizing that each individual is unique and deserves personalised care. Here's an overview of how I work:

1. Assessment and Goal Setting:Our first sessions will focus on getting to know you, understanding your concerns, and clarifying your goals for therapy. This initial assessment helps us establish a roadmap for our work together and ensures that we are aligned in our understanding of what you hope 

2.Exploration and Insight:Therapy provides a space for exploration and insight, where you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your patterns of thinking and behaviour, and the factors contributing to your current challenges. Through our work together, you may discover new perspectives, uncover underlying issues, and develop greater self-awareness.

4. Skill Building and Empowerment: In addition to exploring underlying issues, therapy also involves developing practical skills and strategies to help you navigate life's challenges more effectively. This may include learning relaxation techniques, communication skills, stress management strategies, or assertiveness training, among others. My goal is to empower you with the tools and resources you need to thrive outside of our sessions.

5. Support and Encouragement: Throughout our work together, you can expect to receive unconditional support, empathy, and encouragement. I am here to listen, validate your experiences, and provide guidance and perspective as needed. Together, we will celebrate your successes, navigate setbacks, and work towards your goals with compassion and resilience.

Overall, my approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based practice. I am committed to providing you with the highest quality of care and supporting you on your journey towards greater well-being and fulfilment.

Welcome to my practice! As a counselor and psychotherapist, I am dedicated to providing a safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. My approach is collaborative, meaning that we will work together to identify your goals and develop a personalised plan to help you achieve them.

In our sessions, you can expect to be met with empathy, compassion, and respect. I believe in the importance of building a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust and mutual understanding. Whether you are seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, or other challenges, I am here to listen, validate your experiences, and provide guidance and encouragement along your journey towards healing and personal growth.

I draw from a variety of therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, psychodynamic therapy, and solution-focused therapy, among others. This allows me to tailor our sessions to your individual needs and preferences, ensuring that you receive the most effective and appropriate interventions to address your concerns.

In addition to our work in session, I may also provide resources, exercises, and homework assignments to support your progress outside of our time together. My goal is to empower you with the tools and skills you need to navigate life's challenges more effectively and to cultivate greater resilience and well-being.

Above all, I am committed to creating a warm, supportive, and empowering therapeutic environment where you can feel seen, heard, and valued. It would be an honour to accompany you on your journey towards greater self-discovery, healing, and personal fulfilment.

In your first session with me, we will focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment to gain a deeper understanding of your concerns, goals, and needs. This session serves as an opportunity for us to get to know each other and to determine if we are a good fit for working together.

During the assessment, I will ask you about your reasons for seeking therapy, your past experiences with counseling or psychotherapy, your current symptoms or challenges, and any relevant personal or medical history. This information will help us establish a baseline and identify areas of focus for our work together.

Additionally, I may ask you to complete some assessment tools or questionnaires to gather more detailed information about your symptoms, personality traits, or specific areas of concern. These assessments are optional and are designed to provide us with additional insights to inform our treatment plan.

While the first session is primarily focused on assessment, it is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the therapy process, my approach, or what to expect moving forward. I believe in the importance of transparency and collaboration, and I want to ensure that you feel informed and comfortable throughout our work together.

Please note that the rate for the first session is the same as subsequent sessions, and payment is due at the time of service. If you have any questions or concerns about scheduling, fees, or any other aspect of the therapy process, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to support you every step of the way.