Lisa Yates

• I believe that if you are thrown a ball you don't have to catch it and that when in life we are  troubled by our experiences or feel a of a lack of control over our circumstances; knowing when to take that catch or let it go, can be daunting.

• I am an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist and work with a humanistic approach using CBT and Attachment theory to underpin my counselling work with adults and young people. I like to work creatively with my clients to suit their individual needs and collaborate with them to find solutions to the problems they face. 

• I work in private practice from my home and offer both short or long term work with my clients depending on their situation and circumstance. Having a private, safe and confidential space to discuss your difficulties away from the pressures you are facing in life is important to me.

  I started my career as a teacher and have 30 years experience of working in secondary schools, I have a lot of experience working with teenagers and their families as they progress through adolescence and understand the pressures facing young people today.

  Facing change and feeling disrupted or 'out of sorts' is a common theme for both adults and young people living in our 24/7 world. As a mindfulness teacher and coach, I can help my clients develop strategies and learn new skills to help them manage the challenges they face with more confidence and self-belief.
  

Currently, I am offering counselling face to face, phone or Zoom.

My preferred practice is face to face, although current circumstances place limitations to this. 

Our first session is very much about getting to know each other, I hope that we would develop a good idea of the problems you face and begin to establish what we hope to achieve through therapy. This is by no means an exhaustive list, very often, clients review and change their goals as we work together.

Our first session can be an extended session (max 60mins) as we will also clarify the boundaries of the confidentiality and privacy aspects of our work together. This will result in us entering into a counselling contract to formalise these boundaries. We will also discuss timing of sessions and the importance of self-care throughout the process of therapy.

It is important to me that you feel you are ready for therapy and happy to move at your own pace. This session should not feel like an interview, but a collaborative endeavour which leaves you feeling supported and hopeful.