About Leonie

My Journey

Through my own personal challenges and experiences, I've come to understand just how much our past can shape the way we feel about ourselves and navigate life.

Having my own lived experience of trauma has helped me develop a deep sense of empathy for the people I work with. I approach my work with kindness and without judgement, remembering what it feels like to be hurt, fragile and at the end of your tether.

Whether you're a burnt-out, overstimulated parent, feeling lonely or abandoned, trying to make sense of a relationship ending, or carrying the weight of an unhappy childhood, I'd like to help you find a way forward.

My own counselling journey was life-changing. Later, navigating parenthood and discovering I had ADHD brought new and unexpected challenges. I had to learn more about myself, find different ways to process my emotions and make sense of experiences that had affected me for years.

Gradually, I discovered that life didn't have to feel quite so difficult every day. I found new ways to understand myself, work through past trauma and move forward with greater self-compassion.

I realised that the work I wanted to do was to support others in the way I'd been supported myself.

I'm passionate about helping people navigate life's challenges and believe deeply in the power of talking therapies.

So often, we feel we should manage everything ourselves. We put pressure on ourselves to be strong, keep going and look on the bright side, even when we're struggling. Sometimes that pressure to stay positive can leave very little room for acknowledging how we actually feel.

The past can leave us feeling ashamed, silenced and trapped in overwhelming emotions or regrets. The expectations we place on ourselves, alongside the pressures we experience from others, can leave us feeling increasingly isolated and powerless.

Even when we're at rock bottom, asking for help can feel incredibly difficult. We might feel ashamed, worry about being judged or fear that we won't be understood. And sometimes, when we do reach out, we don't receive the understanding or support we need.

I want therapy to be a place where you don't have to pretend you're okay, hold everything together or have the right words. You can simply come as you are.

My approach

The main aim I have for my clients in the first session is to feel heard, validated and safe. I hope they feel that finally they can take a deep breath and have found a space to begin their journey.

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I essentially work from a ‘toolbox’ of different therapy approaches which I tailor to your needs and personality. These include Psychodynamic Theory, Transactional Analysis, Trauma-informed, Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt, and Inner child work. Putting the jargon to one side I would describe my style as warm, empathic, collaborative and gently challenging.” There might even be a sprinkling of humour thrown in when appropriate and I definitely won’t just sit there in silence!

Clients are often surprised when they find counselling is a lot more relaxed than they first thought.

In our first session you will decide at the end if you want to work with me. I will be gentle, kind, and thoughtful in my approach, and I will really try to understand what it feels like to be you.

I remember what the first counselling session is like and how nerve-wracking it can be; therefore, I will do my absolute best to help you feel relaxed and comfortable.

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Experience and training

I am an experienced, accredited counsellor offering in-person counselling for clients in Colchester and surrounding areas, as well as online counselling across the UK, with a BACP accredited diploma in Integrative counselling.

Registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy means I abide by their code of ethics and have monthly clinical supervision with an experienced, accredited supervisor. I also hold full insurance, an up to date DBS certificate and am registered with the ICO.

I have experience working with Childhood trauma, ADHD, emotional and sexual abuse, addiction, domestic abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, toxic relationships, birth and pregnancy issues, depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD and CPTSD

I regularly undertake continuing professional development as required by the BACP.

Additional CPD

  • Online Counselling Best Practice

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

  • ADHD, and Neurodiversity in Clinical Practice

  • The Effects of Immature Parenting

  • ADHD In Females and Comorbid Trauma

  • The Neurobiology of Attachment

  • Reframing ADHD: What Clients Need from Therapy

  • Working with CPTSD

  • Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder

  • Working with Sexual Abuse

  • Somatic Approaches for Working with Anger and Treating Trauma

  • Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC) Training with Dr Ramani Durvasula

  • Polyvagal Theory and Application to Clinical Practice

  • Mindfulness in Therapy

  • Narcissistic Relationships

Featured in- https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms/all-rooms-decor/happy-trigger-home-decor-ideas

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“People only seriously consider change when they feel accepted for exactly who they are.”

— Carl Rogers, humanistic psychologist