About Leonie

My Journey

Through my own personal challenges and struggles, I have a found a lived experience of Trauma has really helped me to empathize with my clients. I approach my work with kindness and without judgment, and try to remember what it feels like to be so hurt, fragile and at the end of my tether.

Whether you are a burnt-out overstimulated parent, or simply feeling lonely and abandoned, trying to make sense of a relationship ending, or a childhood scattered with unhappy memories, I would like to help you on a path to a more comforting place.

I embarked on a counselling journey that became life changing. Then later navigating becoming a parent and realizing I had ADHD, life became challenging in new and unexpected ways, and I had to work out the best way to move forward.

I found new ways to process emotions, manage past trauma, and realized life didn’t have to feel quite so hard every day.

I knew the only job I wanted to do was support people in the same way that I had been helped.

I am passionate about helping people with their challenges and the power of talking therapies.

So often in life, we try to do everything by ourselves, we feel we must be strong and that need for toxic positivity takes over!

The past can keep us ashamed, silent, and trapped with overwhelming feelings and regrets.

All these limitations and pressures we put upon ourselves only serve to make us feel more isolated and powerless. Even when we are at rock bottom, we can still feel so ashamed and worried about asking for help, and when we do, we don’t always get the response we need or deserve.

 

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-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Gestalt, and some creative 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 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.

Photo of a beach pathway leading to a lighthouse

Experience and training

I am an experienced Accredited Colchester based counsellor, 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 Trauma, Emotional and Sexual Abuse, Addictions, Domestic abuse, Self-harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationships, Birth and Pregnancy Issues, Depression and Anxiety, Stress and PTSD/ 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 Durvasul

  • Polyvagal theory and application to clinical practice

  • Mindfulness

  • Narcissistic Relationships

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

Photo of a handful of autumnal leaves in various colours

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

— Carl Rogers, humanistic psychologist