What happens in counselling and therapy?

What happens in counselling and therapy: your journey and how I’ll support you as your therapist

Thanks for being here. I’d like to take a moment to share more about what to expect as part of the therapy process, for anyone who’s wondering what it might be like to work with me and what happens in counselling and therapy.

I’m Laura, a counsellor, trauma therapist, meditation teacher, somatic practitioner and a space holder. My intention is to support people to deepen their connection with themselves and the world around them. I blend psychodynamic and Gestalt therapy with somatic trauma work, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), neuroscience-based approaches and mindfulness/meditation.

I work with a wide range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Within that, a majority of my clients are neurodivergent, queer, exploring non-traditional relationships, or have other aspects (or intersectional-aspects) of identity that are marginalised. With some of the people I work with, I incorporate nature therapy and connection into our work, and I also offer a space to explore your struggles within a psychospiritual framework if that feels aligned. I talk a little more about what these different approaches look like a bit later in this post.

I offer online sessions, as well as in person session. My online clients are all over the UK, my in-person sessions take place in South Birmingham, and my nature based sessions take place at The Lickey Hills, on the outskirts of Birmingham. I also offer circles, gatherings and workshops that explore everything from the neuroscience of wellbeing to seasonal practices and rituals that a rooted in earth based spirituality.

I don’t expect everything I share or offer to align with all of my clients. Everyone is different and we’re all seeking different things from the therapy process. If some of what I share resonates while other parts don’t, take what feels supportive and leave the rest. Where ever you are and what ever you need, my intention is always the same: to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, supportive and compassionately held.

What happens in counselling and therapy: we build a relationship that is based on trust and connection

Our relationship is a partnership and it’s important to me to create a safe, supported space where your thoughts and feelings are heard. Working with a new counsellor is a process of discovery and building trust can take time. We work at your pace, to make sure you’re always in the diving seat. Thats not to say therapy is easy. It’s clichéd but it’s true: growth happens outside of our comfort zones, but it’s also really important to explore discomfort at a pace that feels challenging but not too challenging. My focus on safety and trauma-informed care will support you to navigate what ever comes up. This sometimes means working with what’s happening in the present moment, rather than examining past traumas and reliving them.

Working through unresolved issues from the past can be hugely beneficial and lots of my clients choose to take this path, but what’s also helpful is understanding your experience in the here and now. I believe the mind, body and nervous system all play an equal and incredibly important roll in the healing journey and learning to work with these aspects, which we can do together, can really support you to move forward.

What happens in counselling and therapy: we explore neuroscience, body based approaches and practical tools for safety in a trauma informed space

Neuroscience and somatics underpin all of my work, and a key aspect of my approach is how we engage with the body and nervous system, something I’m deeply passionate about. Our bodies store our life experiences, often holding the imprint of trauma, stress, and emotional pain. As the saying goes, the body keeps the score.

My work is rooted in trauma informed practice, which recognises how trauma affects the body, mind and nervous system, so that you can process and integrate your experiences safely.

For many people who have experienced trauma, or for those of us with neurodivergent nervous systems, finding any sense of safety in the body can feel impossible. Together, we gently explore tools and practices that support you to feel more grounded, more connected and to gradually move towards a greater sense of safety in your body.

In trauma work especially, pacing is essential. We go as slowly as we need to, so the nervous system isn’t flooded. Part of the healing process is learning how to be with difficult feelings, but this expansion needs to happen gradually so that resilience and capacity can grow without overwhelming the system. A huge part of my work with many of my clients is exploring neuroscience and somatic-informed approaches. When we are more in contact with our nervous systems, we can learn how to support ourselves using practical tools that can be integrated into daily life.

You can find out more about my approach to trauma therapy here.

What happens in counselling and therapy: we create a space to be seen, heard and held (metaphorically!)

Sometimes what we need most is a space where we can show up exactly as we are and be met with compassion and acceptance. For many people, working with a therapist is the first time they've had this kind of dedicated support. As a neurodivergent therapist who works with a significant number of neurodivergent clients, I know how powerful it can be to meet one another in an unmasked way. In our work together, whether you’re neurodivergent or not, there’s no pressure to perform or "fit in", you’re welcome to bring your full, authentic self into the therapeutic space.

In this space of being seen, heard and held, our work might involve:

• Exploring a specific issue or struggle

• Exploring emotions and bodily sensations

• Identifying patterns from the past that impact your present

• Discussing existential questions and exploring the ways we find meaning

• Exploring the therapeutic relationship itself as a mirror for other relationships in your life

I’ll work with you to adjust the process in ways that support your safety and comfort. The simple act of being heard and accepted can be a beautiful first step along the path to healing. My approach to holding this space for you is always informed by what you might need. This is something we’ll explore together so we can make adjustments as needed.

What happens in counselling and therapy: we work with awareness, compassion and acceptance

While deepening our awareness can be transformative, learning more about ourselves can also feel difficult. As we peel back the layers of our experience, we can uncover insights, patterns and parts of ourselves that have been hidden or silenced. My role is to support you in approaching yourself with curiosity and kindness rather than judgment.

I believe all healing and well being offerings must also be affirming and culturally aware. I am deeply committed to:

• Anti-racist and race-affirming practice

• LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy

• Disability and neurodiversity affirming approaches

• Fat-positive and body-liberatory work

You can explore my values here. Even with these commitments, I know it’s important to be transparent. If you hold marginalised identities, you may be understandably cautious about working with a counsellor who doesn’t share those identities. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask any questions and get a feel for whether I’m someone you could feel safe working with.

What to expect in counselling and therapy: how healing happens

My integrative approach includes a blend of approaches and I’ll talk a little more about them here. Everyone that comes to me is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I draw on tools from these different approaches to tailor our work to you. I always try to be transparent about this process too. It’s important to me that I can demystify the therapy process and explain why I’m offering or asking something

• Gestalt therapy: Gestalt emphasises present-moment awareness and relational dynamics. Together, we pay attention to what arises in the “here and now”, in your thoughts, emotions, sensations and in the relationship between us. This awareness can highlight patterns and open the door to new ways of relating to yourself and others.

• Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic approaches explore how your past experiences and relationships shape your current emotional world. By bringing unconscious dynamics into awareness, you can begin to understand repeating patterns, heal old wounds and create space to respond more flexibly in the present.

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): ACT provides practical tools to help you meet your inner experiences with more acceptance while clarifying what matters most to you. Rather than trying to eliminate uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, ACT helps you build psychological flexibility and live in greater alignment with your values.

  Somatic therapy and polyvagal theory: Trauma often lives in the body. I combine somatic practices with polyvagal theory. Somatic approaches help you connect to physical sensations, support the nervous system and gently release what has been held. Polyvagal theory helps us understand how the nervous system responds to safety, danger and overwhelm, highlighting the states of fight, flight, freeze and social engagement. By coming into contact with your bodily experience and learning to recognise your own nervous system states, you can develop tools to supports safety, grounding and resilience, allowing healing to unfold at a pace that feels manageable.

• Trauma informed therapy: trauma informed therapy helps you heal safely by working with your body, nervous system, and therapeutic relationship to process trauma at your own pace.

  Nature and Eco Therapy: Spending time in nature can be deeply regulating and restorative. Moving therapy into nature combines the benefits of counselling with the therapeutic benefits of the natural world. There is also an opportunity to explore how the cycles and seasons of nature reflects our own shifts, cycles, ebbs and flows.

  Psychospiritual Therapy: For those who are drawn to it, I offer a space to explore your spiritual or religious beliefs. This might include reflecting on questions of meaning, exploring your religious or spiritual experiences or drawing on practices that nurture your connection with the sacred.

What to expect in counselling and therapy: what the process looks like

These approaches naturally interlink. For example, a session might begin with a grounding practice informed by polyvagal theory, helping you to tune into your body and what you need in the moment, or to support your nervous system. We then might moving into exploring your awareness (Gestalt) of what’s emerging in the present moment. Looking at your experience through a psychodynamic lens might involve considering patterns that show up in our present that are informed by past experiences, while ACT offers practical tools to understand ourselves more deeply so that we can make different choices in daily life. Somatic work helps integrate these insights at the level of the body, while nature and psychospiritual practices widen the lens, situating your healing within a larger web of meaning and connection.

This is all very theoretical because, again, everyone I work with is different. I believe that healing is a collaborative journey. It unfolds as we build trust, explore your experiences and embrace the process of self-discovery. In the same way a physical wound can heal with the right care and attention, our work together can allow for the mending of emotional and psychological wounds. It involves understanding, acceptance and the gradual integration of new awareness into your life. This isn’t a linear path; it's a series of steps, small victories and moments that can shape your journey towards a more fulfilling and balanced life. If all of this sounds like it might be a good fit for you and what you’re looking for, you can arrange to have a chat with me by contacting me here.

Some final thoughts on whether therapy with me is right for you

Working with me could be a good fit if you’re open to exploring not just your thoughts and emotions, but also what’s happening in your body. While talk-therapy and exploring your thoughts together is part of the process, I work holistically with the whole of your experience: mind, body, feelings and emotions, and, if it feels right for you, your connection with the wider world or your spirituality.

Therapy often involves leaning into a little vulnerability, just enough to allow something to shift, while being supported and held. We’ll always move at a pace that feels manageable for you, taking care not to overwhelm your system.

The work we do together often continues to unfold between sessions. You may notice new insights, feelings or patterns emerging in your day-to-day life. At times, I might suggest simple practices or reflections to support this process, but always in a way that allows you to choose what feels useful and relevant.

It can also help to have some idea of what you’d like to gain from therapy. Your goals don’t need to be perfectly clear, many people come with just a sense that something needs to change. Together, we’ll shape the direction of the work so it supports you in the ways that matter most.

Above all, therapy with me is a collaborative and individual process. There’s no one right way it needs to look. If you’re open to curiosity, willing to bring yourself as you are and ready to explore at your own pace, there’s space here for you. If you’d like to explore this more, you can head to my counselling page. You might also want to explore my FAQs