Luiza Duran

For face to face sessions I am currently available Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Sometimes life can feel challenging and the events thrown at us can make us feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to respond. Yet, out of the difficulties, unexpected and fruitful possibilities for growth at both personal and professional levels can emerge.

Research says that being listened to and hearing yourself whilst being listened to can be quite powerful and curative. If you would like to talk, you can email me without obligation or book a free 20 min introductory call if you prefer.

How I work

My philosophy is that - as humans - we are not isolated from the environment in which we live and that we are in a continuous and mutual interaction with everything and everyone around us. I therefore adopt the views of the attachment theory at the base of my work - that our primary attachment style is established in the first years of life and, when left unchallenged, continues to manifest in the present. I subscribe to the humanistic and psychodynamic counselling schools that hold that therapeutic movement happens in relationship with another.

As a counsellor, my style involves an attitude of warm acceptance of who you already are. Through my own genuineness, I hope to create a calm and trusting space, where your true self can emerge and manifest without constraints. You are unique, there is nobody else like you. And you have a unique role to play in your life. Part of the therapeutic work then involves finding comfortable words to express your life story and reflect on the many different aspects of who you are and also how you got to be this way.

Therapy can help improve many uncomfortable symptoms, including feeling anxious or depressed, having low self confidence, relationship issues, feeling broken or helpless, loneliness, struggling with lack of belonging and alienation, experiencing loss of meaning or lack of purpose and direction in life.

If you would like to find out how I may be able to support you, or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch.

I hold a BACP approved Diploma in Integrative Counselling and I am a fully qualified counsellor/therapist.

From volunteering, private practice and my own personal therapeutic journey, I have experience working with various issues, including:

• recovering from a major life event such a loss or bereavement, a separation, or a traumatic incident

• having a difficult relationship with a partner or within a family context
• going through life transitions, such as adulthood/aging or moving away from your place of origin, and dealing with feelings of lack of belonging and alienation
• feeling disconnected from own self and struggling with loneliness, loss of meaning or lack of purpose and direction in life

I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP reg. no. 396970), and as a BACP member I am committed to working ethically and to high professional standards. I am passionate about my work, I undertake continuous professional development to advance my knowledge and skills and I attend regular supervision.

Initially we would have a small exchange via email or phone, to check availability and for us to get a feel for whether I am the right counsellor for you and your present concern. 

We would then have a paid in person session without obligation. I usually charge this at a reduced £40. This would give you an opportunity to see whether I am someone you’d feel comfortable opening up to. Counselling and psychotherapy enables work to be done at a deep reflective level, so it is important that we both feel comfortable working with each other.

During this first session, we will explore your present difficulty and see how counselling can be of help.

If we decide to go ahead with further sessions, then contractual terms such as length of contract (short term or open ended), time and location of sessions, fees and other relevant details will be discussed and agreed on.