Lalena Woods

I have availability as follows: 

Monday am: in person at Phoenix Counselling, B68 9HE

Monday pm: online

Tuesday pm: in person at the Meridian Centre, B13 0JE

Wednesday pm: in person at the Meridian Centre, B13 0JE

Thursday am: online

Thursday pm: in person at Phoenix Counselling, B68 9HE

Thursday evening: in person at Meridian Centre, B13 0JE

I am an integrative therapist with a UKCP accredited MSc and Advanced Diploma in psychotherapy. Through a combination of my own life experience and specific training I have undertaken, I can support people with difficulties arising from a wide range of experiences including depression, anxiety, emotional difficulties within families and relationships, work-related stresses, difficult childhood experiences, trauma and chronic illness. I am sensitive to diversity and the additional challenges that minority stress can bring to life.

My intention in working with you is that you will be able to explore your beliefs about yourself, as well as about how others see you. I will take you seriously, listen to and respect your perspective, whilst exploring other possibilities. I can be hopeful when perhaps you are finding it difficult to be so. I’m honest and transparent in my communication and I’ve been told I bring warmth and humour to the therapeutic relationship.

I have always placed a high value on seeking to understand my own, and other people’s individual experiences. This is, in part, what led me to retrain as a therapist. Prior to this I worked in a large professional services firm for over 20 years. People in similar occupations may find the understanding of their professional environment that comes with my experience helpful.

If you choose to work with me I will support you in becoming more aware of your experience including your habitual ways of thinking and how you relate to others. The therapeutic relationship is key to this; I will pay attention to what emerges between us and will offer you a different relationship from those you may have experienced elsewhere.

I offer short and long term work and I work with adults of all ages including young adults (18-25). I work in person from the Meridian Centre in Birmingham and I also offer online sessions. 

I offer a free initial 15 minute phone conversation in which we can discuss availability and your reasons for seeking therapy. 

Our first full session will be an assessment in which we will talk about your goals and expectations of therapy,  your personal history and current circumstances. This session will also give us an opportunity to get to know each other a little.