Laura West

Laura Marie In my most recent role as a Macmillan Breast Cancer Specialist Practitioner, I supported individuals and their families throughout their treatment journeys. It was during this time that my passion for counselling and psychotherapy truly developed, leading me to pursue a new professional path. I subsequently completed a Diploma in Psychotherapy and Counselling. I discovered my natural passion for psychotherapy and counselling during my 17-year career as a Registered General Nurse within the NHS, where I worked across two hospitals in a variety of roles. Throughout my career, I was drawn to specialist positions that allowed me to provide deeper emotional and psychological support to patients and their families during some of the most challenging times in their lives. Psychotherapy and Counselling and am a qualified and accredited Psychotherapist and Counsellor. My approach is integrative, incorporating psychodynamic principles while also valuing the importance of humanistic and person-centred therapies. This balanced perspective has been shaped and enriched by my extensive nursing experience, allowing me to work with empathy, insight, and respect for each individual’s unique story. I work with individuals experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and various forms of loss, as well as issues relating to self-confidence and self-esteem. In addition, I have a particular interest and expertise in supporting couples and families. I help partners develop effective communication skills, deepen mutual understanding, and navigate challenges within their relationship. Together, we explore patterns, strengthen connection, and work towards healthier, more fulfilling ways of relating. My aim is to support clients in navigating their own individual experiences, helping them move towards meaningful, positive change and improved wellbeing - whether as an individual or within the relationship and as a family. I am committed to providing a safe, supportive, and confidential therapeutic environment where you can feel heard, understood, and valued. As a member of the National Counselling Society, I adhere to professional standards that prioritise your safety and wellbeing at all times. I understand that seeking support can feel daunting, but it is also a powerful and courageous step. I am here to walk alongside you on your journey towards a more fulfilling and enriched life. I am also a mother to two adult children and a younger child with experience of living within a blended family and with a child who is neurodiverse so experience first hand the joys and challenges this can bring within a family and relationships. Training, qualifications & experience Professional experience 20 yrs in practice Stress, Anxiety, Grief Self esteem, Motivation, Depression, Coping with life changes Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Communication Skills, Abandonment, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Communication problems, Divorce and separation, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Narcissism, Post-traumatic stress, Self-love, Social anxiety. Clinical approaches: Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy Services offered Video Phone