Lorraine O'Brien

I work Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:30am and 8:30pm.  

Your sessions do not have to be the same time each week.  We would negotiate a number of sessions and where possible pencil them into the diary so you have the days and times that suit you.

I am a qualified and experienced Therapist with over 30 years experience of working with adults, couples and young people (from 11 years old). I trained in psychodynamic counselling, as a foundation for my practice, and have since gone on to train in Systemic, Narrative, CBT and Brief Solution Focused Therapy.  This means that I can offer short or long term counselling and work in various different ways determined by what you, or both of you require.    

I work predominantly online, via zoom.  This provides the flexibility that couples particularly need.  It enable counselling to still continue even if you are unable to get baby sitters for instance.  It also allows for continuity of counselling if you want it and you are working away, or even on holiday.  But that would be your choice.

Counselling can offer many things, from immediately helpful ideas about how to make positive changes, to consistent ongoing support in working though complex difficulties. My main aim will always be to help you to find the best way forward.

I offer a consultation appointment first. This appointment allows you to talk about what is going on, how you are feeling and what you would like from counselling. If this is a joint session with your partner then you both get time to share how you are feeling in your relationship. 

If you are wanting couples counselling then we would negotiate two more sessions which would be for each of you individually. This gives you both a chance to share more about how you are feeling in this relationship, and perhaps begin to consider what you would want to be different. It might also be a chance to share a bit of your own background, what has got you to the point you are at. If there has been any abuse in the relationship then these two sessions will give me a chance to assess if couples counselling is suitable at this stage. Sometimes another course of action may be more appropriate before couples counselling. Once I have seen you both individually we would then meet up again, and negotiate a way forward. If that is couples counselling, then we would discuss and agree a contract for a number of sessions.

If you have come for the consultation on your own, and you are wanting individual counselling we would negotiate how many sessions you would like and over how long.

Each session whether individual or as a couple lasts one hour, and will cost £60.

I have been a counsellor since 1991, and a Supervisor since 2014.  My background has been working with adults and couples within Relate, and young people in school environments.   

Whilst I trained as an integrative counsellor, I work from the Hawkins and Shohet model of supervision.   

Using the '7 eyed model' of supervision allows space for counsellors to explore and understand their clients through the use of themselves.  The supervision space is a non-judgemental, accepting space, offering a flexible approach to suit your unique experiences and personality.  You will be supported to make sense of past and present experiences, and to develop a greater awareness of and confidence in your strengths.  But also where you may benefit from further training, or reading.  Thus enabling you to feel more confident in your work with your clients.  

 I can offer a range of practical, enjoyable and effective creative techniques to help you express and explore you and your clients.

Almost all  of my supervision work is conducted online through zoom.  Most counsellors find this helpful as it cuts out travel time and can enable them to access supervision at a venue of their choosing.  There are occasions where face to face supervision is necessary, or wanted.  I do have a therapy room that I can use for this purpose.

I offer a free 30 minute session. This gives us both an opportunity to see how we work together and if we are a good enough 'fit'. It is hugely important that you feel you have the right supervisor for you. So this first conversation gives us that 'first impressions' perspective. We would also talk over what your needs are for the work you are doing. If we both feel we can build a good working relationship them we would negotiate best days and times that suit you for your supervision.