Laura Mercer

I offer both short, medium and long term counselling, and provide weekly or fortnightly sessions to fit with your schedule. 

I am a BACP registered counsellor working online and face to face. I also provide telephone counselling if you would prefer this.

I have day time availability for sessions on Thursdays and Fridays, and have two 'before work' slots free currently at 9.10am. (My evening slots are currently filled, but I will update my availability if this changes.)

For face to face sessions, I practice in Bedminster, Bristol, both on North Street and on Bishopsworth Road.

Hello, I’m Laura, a Counsellor working and living in Bristol. I believe that counselling can greatly benefit everyone.

Counselling can be transformative for many issues - if you are feeling stuck in life, struggling with some unexpected changes, trying to cope with anxiety or low mood or attempting to find more boundaries in your relationships.

I’ve successfully supported many clients with these and other concerns - including lack of motivation, poor self esteem, relationship difficulties, bereavement, childhood trauma, stress, chronic health conditions and those just wishing to develop a stronger sense of self.

I will work with you on whatever it is that you are struggling with - it may be something happening now or a problem or trauma from the past.

Anything you would like to bring to counselling is welcome here.

We’ll go at your pace, centred on what you wish to talk about (with no need to address anything before you are ready to).

I’ll provide a safe, calm, confidential environment so you can relax, be at ease and we can focus entirely on you and what you want to solve.

I’m friendly, accepting and non judgemental and actively work with you to build a strong therapeutic relationship. This therapeutic relationship is at the heart of what makes counselling so restoring, resolving and revitalising.

As a Person Centred Counsellor, I don’t fixate on any “labels” you may have been given. Instead we’ll concentrate on you as a person and what’s important to you. You know your situation better than anyone - counselling is not a “one size fits all.”

I’ll always listen very carefully with complete empathy, to try and fully understand you and your situation.

If your problems currently feel overwhelming, counselling can let you take a welcome step back and gain a more insightful perspective on everything that is going on for you.

The sessions are yours.

I’ll be with you every step of the way, to help effectively deal with the issues, hold space for you and be with you as together we find the right solutions for you.

Throughout my life I have worked and volunteered in organisations specialising in positive mental health, neurodiversity, loneliness and isolation and currently work for the NHS in a Wellbeing role.

I am a qualified counsellor, having achieved my Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a Certificate in Counselling Skills from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. I am currently undertaking an additional post qualification Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I also hold a Psychology BSc.

I adhere to the Ethical Framework and Code of Good Practice of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy www.bacp.co.uk ). I am a Registered Member of the BACP (410460) and hold the appropriate insurance to practise.

I have undertaken additional training in suicidal safeguarding, grief and loss and understanding neurodiversity, along with Mental Health First Aid.

I understand that evening thinking about counselling can be nerve wracking. To put your mind at rest, I offer a free 20 minute initial video consultation, which is an informal chat. We can get to know each other and I can answer any questions you may have about counselling, how it can help and how I practice.

Please get in touch to find out more either via the BACP directory, via email, text or my website.

After receiving your message, I will contact you within 48 hours to book your introductory call. Once we've decided on a time that works for you, I will email you a video call link.

There is no pressure to proceed, but if you feel I am a good fit we can arrange sessions at a time that suits you - weekly or fortnightly. At this point I’ll send you a copy of our working agreement which sets out how we’ll move forward.

(I can currently offer sessions on Thursdays or Fridays between 9-7. My evening slots are currently filled but I will update this page if my availability changes.)