People come to therapy for many different reasons. It may be at a point of change, or maybe life feels like a struggle. As a person-centred therapist, my focus is on creating a warm, non-judgemental, space where we can together explore what is useful for you.
Who is therapy for?
Therapy can be helpful for anyone, giving a confidential and empathic space to explore anything that would be useful for you. This might include:
- Experiencing stress or anxiety
- Depression or low mood
- Loss, grief and bereavement
- Relationship problems
- Coping during periods of change
- Struggles with addiction
- Coping with work issues and stress
- Coping with the effects of abuse
- Dealing with past trauma
- Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
- Experiences of discrimination
What is person-centred therapy?
Carl Rogers, the founder of person-centred therapy, believed fundamentally in the agency of the individual and their ability, under the right conditions, to find the right path for them. Working with a therapist who can offer genuine empathy and compassion, seeking to really understand their client’s experience, can facilitate growth, self-understanding and self-compassion.
About me
I retrained as a therapist after a career in the public sector. I was searching for a role that enabled me to connect with people. I chose person-centred therapy because at the heart of the approach is the belief that we all have the potential to make sense of and work through the issues and challenges we face. My role is to walk beside you on that journey, helping you to achieve greater self-understanding and self-acceptance.
As well as my private practice, I have experience working as a therapist in charities supporting people experiencing loss and bereavement, addiction, relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety and more. I also work as a therapist in a men’s prison.
My Qualifications
I am a UKCP regsitered psychotherapist, and a registered member of the BACP. I am commmitted to continuous professional development through frequently attending training to ensure my skills are kept up to date.
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Metanoia Institute
MSc, Contemporary Person-centred Psychotherapy, Metanoia Institute
Location
I am based at:
The Wellbeing Centre, Station Road, Teddington, TW11 9AA – moments from Teddington Rail Station
I also offer online sessions via Zoom or phone.
To get in touch please email lesleyhardingtherapy@gmail.com or call / text 07539 432306
The cost is £65 per session. Sessions last for 50 minutes. Concessions are available.
The Therapeutic Contract
This is a mutual agreement negotiated between therapist and client prior to the commencement of counselling. It articulates the responsibilities of the therapist towards the client, and also the client’s responsibilities in the therapeutic relationship.
Working ethically
Everything that we discuss in our sessions is kept in the strictest confidence. As a member of the UKCP (UK Council for psychotherapy), I work according to their ethical principles and code of professional conduct, these can be found at www.psychotherapy.org.uk. I am required to have regular supervision and I will on occasion discuss our work with my supervisor to ensure I am offering you the best possible service. I will not disclose your name or anything that would enable you to be identified, and my supervisor is an experienced and well-regarded psychotherapist who is a Senior Accredited Member of BACP and is governed by the same ethical standards and confidentiality agreement as me. If I have concerns that you intend to harm yourself or others, I may need to break confidentiality by informing your doctor, or in serious cases the police. I would always seek to speak to you about this in advance.
Sessions
Sessions are 50 minutes. I feel psychotherapy is about building a relationship and momentum as we explore what are sometimes difficult areas of your life therefore I suggest weekly sessions. I am trained in the person-centred approach, and aim to work in according to this philosophy. To find out more about this please see my website.
Payment:
Rates for sessions are £65 and can be paid by bank transfer or cash.
My account details are:
Cancellation and Holidays
I ask for at least a week’s notice if you cannot attend a regular appointment, to help me manage my diary and workload. If you cancel within 48 hours or do not attend a planned session I ask for full payment unless there is a clear emergency.
If for any reason I cannot attend a session I will give you as much notice as possible and I will try to offer you an alternative time or see you at the usual appointment time the following week,
Endings
When you feel you would like to end our work together it is best if we can discuss this at least one month in advance to avoid an abrupt ending. Many of us have experienced difficult and sudden losses in the past and psychotherapy gives us the opportunity to avoid this and experience a good ending that acknowledges and honours the work and the relationship. Good endings can give us the lived experience of recognising it is ok for things to come to a close and it doesn’t need to be because things are wrong or because we have had a difficult experience. Having an ending session gives us a chance to acknowledge, review and consolidate the work we have done and explore how you can continue to support yourself.
