Lou Allen

Tuesdays 2-7pm

I am available Monday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm

Friday 9.30am to 1pm

Hello and welcome!

I am a BACP registered, integrative counsellor with twenty years of experience supporting clients. I currently work with adults of all ages, seeing clients in my garden studio. I also offer online sessions, walk & talk and local home visits.  

I have a warm, friendly manner and offer a confidential, accepting and compassionate space.  Integrative counselling takes a holistic, whole person approach recognising that every person's experience, needs and goals are unique. Together we can explore patterns that may be affecting your life, with the aim of helping you to feel happier, empowered, resilient and positive.

Sessions are collaborative and informative, whilst also gently challenging, to help you gain new perspectives, develop greater awareness and make positive changes in your life. 

As an integrative therapist I draw on elements from different modalities to suit each client, mainly humanistic, transactional analyses TA, cognitive behavioural therapy CBT,  psychodynamic, mindfulness and creative interventions such as sand tray or chair work.

My life experiences and my work have shaped the therapist I am today. As a teenager I was encouraged to be strong and cope on my own. Over time I understood that being strong can also mean recognising when you need support. It's a strength to seek counselling and reaching out for support is a way of caring for yourself.

Inclusion is a core value in my counselling practice. My first career was in education, as an early years teacher, then as a parent support worker. I have worked in areas of social deprivation and in culturally diverse communities and these experiences have deepened my understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion and underpin my approach as a counsellor.

Since moving to East Sussex I have trained in End of Life, as a Doula and Soul Midwife. I volunteer for the local hospice and support people in the community with a terminal diagnosis. I also co-host a local Death Cafe.

I can support you with:

Ageing

Anxiety, stress

Anger

Confidence/Self worth

Depression/low mood

Identity

Sexual identity 

Loneliness

Life transitions: relationships, gender, illness, identity, moving home/area, illness, peri and post menopause

Trauma

Neurodiversity: Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia

Parenting/family issues

Work related issues

I have specialist training and interest in:

grief, bereavement, anticipatory grief, loss, end-of-life, chronic illness and the impact on family.

I understand that finding a counsellor can be challenging, so I offer an initial free 20 minute discovery phone session. This gives us the chance to connect so you have the opportunity to explain why you are seeking counselling support and ask me questions about how I work. 

If you decide to go ahead and book an initial session, I will email you my counselling contract to complete and return before your first appointment.

Please look at my Privacy Policy on my website: https://louallencounselling.co.uk/privacy-policy/