Counselling and Personal Development in Saffron Walden
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am... then I can change” — Carl Rogers
Lisa Edmonds Dip. Couns., Registered Member MBACP (Accred).
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) with over thirteen years of experience.
My practice is based in the heart of the historic medieval
market town of Saffron Walden in North West Essex.
I am an integrative counsellor working primarily from a
psychodynamic perspective while also drawing on concepts from other approaches, such as humanistic and person-centred therapy. Being able to blend these approaches allows me to bring different elements to the therapeutic process that suits your individual needs and to work in a way that feels most helpful for you.
I work one-to-one with individual clients aged eighteen and
over.
How I Work
People seek counselling for many different reasons and I understand the decision to come is not always an easy one.
Therefore, I ensure I provide a warm, safe and supportive environment where you can openly explore what has brought you to counselling. You will be heard, understood and accepted - without the fear of judgement. The relationship between counsellor and client is a vital part of the therapeutic process. In our work together you will be valued, supported and encouraged throughout our time together.
As part of our work together, we will explore your past to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself. This process can help us to identify:
- Why you cope with things in a particular way
- Why you feel and react the way you do
- Possible reasons of why you may be experiencing anxiety
- Repeating patterns of unhelpful behaviour
- How these patterns may be impacting your life today
Allowing you to reflect on past experiences will help you to make sense of the present.
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become” — Carl Rogers
Some of our work will involve exploring your defence mechanisms and coping strategies - behaviours that are often unconsciously developed to protect your emotional well-being during challenging times.
While these strategies may have once worked well, they can sometimes become outdated, leading to unconscious repeated patterns of behaviour that no longer work for you and may leave you feeling 'stuck'. By bringing these behaviours into conscious awareness we can begin to replace them with more effective ways of coping that are more beneficial to your life now.
We will also explore your attachments with others and how you form relationships – looking at the dynamics in your current and past relationships, the roles you play within them and how they may be impacting you.
Through this process of reflection and understanding, you can begin to move toward greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. This deeper insight can help you to consider new perspectives, giving you the freedom to make meaningful changes and move forward in your life.
Experience and Training
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for
Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I have over thirteen years of experience supporting clients
with a wide range of issues, including: anxiety, relationship difficulties, stress related issues, perfectionism, family issues, trauma, bereavement, low self-esteem, lack of confidence, communication issues and life-changing events.
In addition, I was an accredited bereavement volunteer with
the national charity Cruse Bereavement Care for several years, offering specialist support to those navigating loss and grief.
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Advanced Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Awareness in Bereavement Care
- Advanced Certificate in Supervision
- Psychodynamic Theory
- Humanistic Theory
- Introduction to Counselling Skills
- Diploma Jungian Psychology
- Human Toolbox Practitioner
- SandStory Therapy
- Working creatively with dreams
- Working creatively with clients
- Couple/Relationship Training
- OCST Online Training
- Working with difference and resistant clients
- Eating Disorders
- Self-harm and suicide ideation
- A Child's Grief
- Sudden & Traumatic Death
- Bereavement and Trauma
- Bereaved by Suicide
Get in Touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial session. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 01799 794795 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.