Mandy Lucas

I have some current availability, flexible times.

• relationship issues including separation and divorce
• low self-esteem and low confidence
• social anxiety
• health issues and menopause
• loss or bereavement
• anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder and panic attacks
• depression, low mood, feeling sad, lack of motivation
• family issues including with children and their education
• past issues that repeatedly return and affect how we feel
• work stress, redundancy or retirement

You may feel burdened, lacking in energy and low. This is the time to get some support. Counselling can help you to identify what needs to change. 

Being in nature can help us to connect with ourselves in a very different way to being in a room. Working outdoors might involve walking, exploring an area or sitting in one place.

Training, Qualifications and Experience

•  Qualified as a Counsellor in 2007 (BTEC Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling) 
•  BA (Honours) degree in Sociology and Psychology.
• Certificate in Environmentally Based Therapy completed in 2018 training in therapeutic work outdoors plus 100 hours study time.
• Additional training in other models including Transactional Analysis and CBT.
• Centre of Excellence Mindfulness Diploma (50 hours) completed October 2021

I have worked independently as a counsellor since 2010.

I have sixteen years of qualified experience in a variety of settings. These include:

• An NHS Service offering brief therapy for depression, anxiety and other issues
• for Employee Assistance Providers (EAPs) focusing on work-related issues
• education – working with children and families in schools
• bereavement services
• sexual abuse / violence services
• women’s centre
• GP practice – primary care mental health service
• University student / staff counselling service
• independent service for military families
• worked in mental health services for ten years, including working with young people on a rehabilitation ward in a private psychiatric hospital, in residential community support for people with severe and enduring mental health problems and as a mental health advocate for Craven advocacy.

I offer confidential counselling and work to the guidelines of the Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I access counselling supervision in line with BACP guidelines via an external supervisor; your identity will be kept in confidence.

I usually suggest an initial session in which we can meet and see what it might be like for us to work together. I can tell you more about how I work and you can tell me about what you are looking for in a counsellor. Finding someone you can build a safe working relationship with is paramount and the quality of the relationship is the most important indicator for therapy to be beneficial. After the session, you are welcome to consider how it felt for you and then let me know what you wish to do. This is of course a mutual process and if I felt we weren't suited to working together I would discuss this with you. If we both feel we are suited we can look at focusing upon the work together.

Here are some testimonials from people I have worked with:

'I was sceptical about counselling when initially suggested to me but you have been an amazing support and have changed my outlook on life for the foreseeable future, arming me with the skills to go forward. I really appreciate how you have rebuilt me and re-established my resilience....I'm ready for the world again now.. thank you so much for all your help, I loved our walks.' EC October 2020

'Mandy's approach effectively got me to a place where I can live and grow round past events rather than wanting to remove them. Having Mandy to specifically listen, talk with and help navigate my feelings and perceptions was invaluable. By setting time aside to consider and confront my feelings via a range of techniques, the result was increased self esteem and a general feeling that it's going to be better than OK! I would definitely recommend. Thanks Mandy.' RM August 2020

Telephone sessions are 50 minutes long and outdoor sessions are up to 1 hour.

My fees are between £55 and £65 per session, depending on what you feel able to pay. This reflects my level of experience. Fewer sessions tend to be needed with a more experienced therapist.