Louise Squires Psychotherapy
PSYCHOTHERAPY, PSYCHOSYNTHESIS AND EMDR IN EAST LONDON
Louise Squires
MA Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy
EMDR Therapist
UKCP BACP
An up-to-date Integrative Psychotherapy service for adults, including Psychosynthesis and EMDR, in Walthamstow, East London.
“Therapy is a journey into the unknown, but one that can lead to self-discovery and personal growth”
Irvin D Yalom
About Me
Hello and a warm welcome to my psychotherapy practice.
I see psychotherapy as a process: a therapeutic journey through which you can explore all aspects of yourself. Psychosynthesis psychotherapy specifically is a holistic, transpersonal, psychospiritual and integrative therapy. The first stage of the process is building trust with me as your therapeutic ‘guide’ so that you feel safe enough to talk about your issues. Psychotherapy can be transformative. However, as with any process, it can take time to work through the traumas or complexities of life’s challenges and situations. We may decide together that EMDR therapy is an appropriate approach to incorporate in the work together. We will review the process at regular intervals, as we progress.
My first introduction to working with people needing emotional support was as a bereavement visitor. I set up a local bereavement and loss group in NW London, including a weekly drop-in, and coordinated a group of volunteer bereavement visitors. I soon became interested in counselling and Psychosynthesis psychotherapy through various workshops, and so began my counselling and psychotherapy training and onward professional journey.
I have been running my own London based Psychotherapy practice for 25 years, since 1999. Alongside my private practice, I have worked in Higher Education support services, supporting staff and students for over 20 years, both as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, mental health practitioner and wellbeing team manager. I was also the clinical services manager and supervisor for a school counselling service for two years. More recently, I was a student counsellor at the London Contemporary Dance School for three years.
As well as my core training in Psychosynthesis psychotherapy, I have undertaken certificate courses in Life Coaching, Bereavement and Loss, Clinical Supervision, and most recently the EMDR training with EMDR works. I have attended many other courses, mainly around complex trauma, PTSD and abuse.
I am Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity (GSRD) aware. I work affirmatively with those who have experienced discrimination (for example, those who identify as LGBTQ+, have been racially targeted, have experienced gender-based aggression and all other forms of prejudice).
My preferred pronouns are she/they.
I have an Arts background, mainly fine art and ceramics, and have also taught Art & Design in secondary schools. Creativity, imagination and expressive activities play an important part in my life.
My qualifications:
MA Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy
PGCE (Art & Design)
BA (hons) Fine Art
EMDR practitioner
I am registered with UKCP and registered/accredited with BACP
I am a member of the EMDR Association.
I adhere to BACP’s code of ethics and ethical framework
Psychotherapy
My psychotherapy practice is Trauma Informed, and offers a holistic, integrative approach to therapeutic work, which includes the mind, body, emotions and spirit. I provide a safe and confidential space for clients to bring distress, crises or ‘breakdowns’, to explore life issues, to deepen their relationships, and to express worries about the past and hopes for the future.
I believe therapy is a relational, creative, collaborative process. I use my knowledge and experience to offer my clients a unique and ‘tailor-made’ therapeutic experience, facilitating them to explore the meaning in their life and find healing in their distress. I believe that the core qualities of therapy are acceptance, non-judgment, unconditional positive regard and empathy. Empathy isn’t the same as sympathy. It is kind and supportive and also needs to be challenging at times.
I use both my core training in PSYCHOSYNTHESIS alongside EMDR therapy. I may draw on other approaches as appropriate during our work together, such as CBT, Mindfulness, psychodynamics, guided imagery and visualisations, and working with the body. My specialties are working with trauma, abuse and PTSD. I have considerable experience in the areas of stress, bereavement, anxiety and depression, GSRD issues. My work in HE, both with students and staff for over 20 years, has given me a very broad range of mental health experience.
Issues I work with:
Trauma and Abuse
Complex Trauma and PTSD
Stress/Acute stress
Anxiety
Depression
Bereavement and Loss
Gender, Sexuality and Relationship (GSRD) issues
Low self-esteem
Breakdowns
Separation and divorce
Self-harm
Eating disorders
Body dysmorphia
Work issues
Family problems
Spiritual crises
My location
My Psychotherapy and EMDR practice is located in my garden therapy room which has its own private entrance near Wood Street Station in Walthamstow, East London
I offer sessions Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 19.30
I work remotely and in person and am happy to offer a hybrid service.
I also offer clinical supervision.
Fees & availability
My fees are £90 per 50/55 minute session. Initial Sessions may last for up to 1 hour.
Autumn 2024 - due to expanding my private practice, I am currently taking on new clients on Mondays. I also have some limited availability on a Wednesday or Thursday. I may be able to offer a concessionary rate for students and those on a lower income, so please enquire.
I also offer individual and group supervision.
Supervision sessions may be for 1hr or longer depending on the need. Please contact me if you and/or some colleagues would like to arrange individual or group supervision.
Some frequently asked questions
We will aim to meet weekly, usually on the same day, same time, which provides a consistent time just for you. I will listen with acceptance and no judgement as you tell me what is going on for you, and, drawing on my training and experience, I will guide you to explore your feelings and experiences, so you can begin to understand yourself in newer and deeper ways. We can use EMDR to help process difficult situations and traumatic or adverse events. We may look at some of the behaviours and psychological structures you have developed over your life that no longer serve you. Both Psychosynthesis and EMDR can help to throw light upon hidden, deeper areas of your life, or parts of yourself, that have been forgotten or neglected, therefore enabling them to be understood and integrated. I will facilitate a mindful space for you to discover more of who you are, so you can fulfil more of your inner potential, and also develop greater self-compassion and self-care. As your self-awareness increases over time, so too may your ability to make appropriate choices in your life. For many people, simply being able to share their story with someone who won’t judge them, who will meet them each week in a spirit of acceptance, and open-mindedness is deeply healing in itself.
This depends on what your needs and wishes are. There’s no fixed or ideal length of time for the therapeutic process; it varies from person to person and will often depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. While I can work on an open-ended basis with clients, I find it is helpful for us to both agree to a certain number of sessions initially and reviewing the work once we reach that point. My aim is to make sure therapy continues for only as long as it is of benefit to you.
Some people find that after a few sessions they have some clarity and understanding and are ready to end the therapy. Other people value the ongoing process, support and relationship with me and will continue to come for weeks, months, or even years. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to therapy.
The duration will depend upon your needs as an individual. I would suggest that in order to work through adverse experiences or traumas, and to affect a longer lasting change, you should be thinking at least 20 sessions initially. For deeper and longer lasting results, therapy can last for months, even years.
Shorter term work, 6-12 sessions, can be effective at dealing with specific, targeted issues such as stress at work, bullying, bereavement, some family and relationship problems.
In either case, I work in accordance with the client’s goals and stated needs. Together we plot a path towards an improved sense of well-being.
Confidentiality and privacy are extremely important. It is vital that you feel you can speak freely and openly in your therapy session. In our first session we can discuss any terms and conditions, covering confidentiality and exactly what it means, that you might have questions about.
As a member of BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy), I am bound by their Ethical Frameworks for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and subject to their Professional Conduct Procedure.
Anyone who is searching for more meaning and purpose in their lives. Those who are suffering from difficult or unbearable life crises. Anyone who wishes to have a deeper understanding of themselves. Those who feel they are having a “breakdown” or just can’t cope. Individuals who struggle with longer term mental health conditions who need more support and feel therapy may help. Anyone who feels they are having an existential or spiritual crisis or breakthrough.
EMDR is a really valuable tool to help clients process adverse experiences and trauma, helping them to understand and free themselves from the negative effects of the past, and to find ways to truly embrace the future.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how psychotherapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. The initial appointment enables us to discuss the reasons you are seeking psychotherapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right psychotherapist for you.
You can also call me on 07734394233 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to have a brief chat about any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 48 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
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