Pebbleshed Therapy
Together, let’s detangle your busy brain.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Day-to-day obligations and responsibilities mean our attention and energy are pulled in many directions and it’s easy to feel lost in unhelpful spiralling thoughts. Overthinking can leave us feeling pretty lonely, that we are not enough. This feeling of being overwhelmed is what I refer to as a tangled, busy brain. When mentally knitting together how you are going to cope with everything, Sometimes the mental wool gets tangled and it’s impossible to slow down and prioritise what you need. You may be asking, ‘Who am I?’
By working together, we can detangle all these mental knots and help you get to the point where you can find inner calm and embrace your true authentic self.
Accessible online counselling for life’s changes.
Life is a series of events, some expected, some unexpected. Some we take in our stride and can embrace but some of life’s transitions can be harder to navigate and comprehend. We can find ourselves anxious and depressed. Life changes can take any number of forms and afterwards, we can feel like we have lost our identity. We can be in shock, lost, sad, angry, overwhelmed or grieving for the future we expected to have.
Diagnosis of a life-changing condition, such as MS and other auto-immune or disabling conditions can be hidden and some conditions more obvious. Suddenly, you can be thrown into a world of confusing medical appointments or struggling to access the help you need. If you are unable to share your whirlwind of worries and emotions with friends and loved ones, it can be a lonely journey wondering ‘Why me?’, ‘Who am I now?’
It is not a journey you have to take alone, Pebbleshed Therapy is here to be alongside you every step of the way.
Navigating your path, together.
By talking through your feelings with a qualified counsellor at Pebbleshed Therapy, we believe you can safely come to terms with these changes in your own time and connect with the person you are now. Together, we can use the changes as a chance to grow, to thrive instead of just surviving.
About your qualified counsellor.
Hello, I’m Laura Stonehouse, MBACP, I hold a diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, am a registered member of the BACP and have a wealth of experience living with chronic long-term health conditions, most notably MS. For me, life has changed unexpectedly many times.
My practice comes from a desire to offer the sort of support that I needed during all those ‘Who even am I?’ ‘I’m not enough’ and ‘Why me?’ moments I have experienced.
Whilst learning to live with my MS, I benefitted from personal counselling, a space to just be me, with all my feelings valid, without having to worry about whether I am being a burden to my counsellor. It is because of this positive experience I decided to undertake further training in Counselling People with MS.
I have a diploma in Counselling Young People and experience particularly in the 18-24 range. I also have a further special interest in helping women navigate the life changes during perimenopause and menopause.
I hold an enhanced DBS certificate and I am fully insured.
FAQs
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I work in the Person-Centred modality. Very simply, it’s all about you, you are the greatest expert in you, not the therapist. There’s a myth that all counselling wants to take you back to your earliest memories and how you felt as a child. In person-centred counselling, we work with how you feel in the present.
This type of therapy prioritises building a supportive and understanding relationship between the therapist and the client. Three key elements define this approach: unconditional positive regard (acceptance without judgment), empathy (understanding the client's feelings), and congruence (authenticity from the therapist).
The focus is on you the client, and the therapist doesn't give solutions but instead creates a safe space for the client to explore their thoughts and feelings. The idea is that, with the right conditions, individuals can naturally move towards personal growth.
In a nutshell, person-centered counselling is about fostering a caring and open connection between the therapist and you, the client, allowing you to navigate your own path to self-discovery and positive change.
Finally, there can be some confusion over ‘therapy’ v’s ‘counselling’. In the UK, there isn’t really a difference, counselling is a talking therapy! However, please note that psychotherapy is a different discipline.
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As person-centred therapy relies so much on the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, it makes sense for us to meet online first. Use the contact form to let me know your availability and we can arrange a free 20-minute introductory session.
Afterwards, you can decide if you would like us to start work together and we can arrange our 50-minute sessions. This is a no-obligation session, if you feel this isn’t the right fit or the right time for you, your details will be deleted and you will not be contacted further.
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Therapy is here for you whenever you’re ready. Everyone is different and the person-centred approach respects that.
People can benefit from the non-judgmental space that a supportive therapist provides, during times of life transitions and changes or periods of uncertainty and overwhelming stress. If you are thinking about therapy, try the free no-obligation 20-minute session with Pebbleshed Therapy and you can decide for yourself.
In terms of life-changing conditions, the stress of pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, managing symptoms, treatment, relapses or disease progression can all be trigger points to look for extra support. These stages don’t happen in isolation; life is still happening and it could be family responsibilities, work responsibilities, ‘sandwiched’ responsibilities typical of peri-menopausal women, learning about your new condition and many hospital appointments become overwhelming. You don’t have to keep it all in, let Pebbleshed Therapy be your breathing space.
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It is £45 for a 50-minute therapeutic session. This is payable online by BACS transfer 48 hours before the scheduled session. During our initial meeting, please make me aware of any physical or mental additional needs that may make attending regular sessions difficult. We can work together to find how best to accommodate these needs.
If you are unable to make an appointment, please let me know as soon as possible so we can try to rearrange the time.
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Since the 2020 pandemic, online therapy has boomed and people have appreciated the convenience of accessing help from where it’s needed. Accessing counselling through Pebbleshed Therapy is incredibly simple. There are no apps to download and sign in to, just click on the secure link I send, ‘knock’ on the therapy room and you’re in!
Online counselling has also opened up the benefits of therapy for those who have previously struggled with physical accessibility to counselling settings. As those with many medical conditions understand - every energy point is precious.
By working together virtually, you can save the time and energy that travelling, navigating, parking, inclement weather and uncomfortable surroundings can easily sap.
When deciding where you want to be for our session, choose somewhere quiet, where you can speak without being overheard. Think of your comfort; do you need cushions, are you warm, are you too warm?! You are welcome to have a drink with you when we start, or if during the session you need to stand up and move around to ease discomfort, please do so.
-
The duration of Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) varies widely depending on individual needs and goals. Unlike some therapeutic approaches with predefined timelines, PCT is often considered a more open-ended, client-driven form of therapy. The length of therapy can be influenced by factors such as the client's specific issues, the depth of exploration desired, and the pace at which the client feels comfortable.
Some individuals may benefit from short-term, focused Person-Centred Therapy, while others may choose to engage in longer-term, ongoing sessions for more comprehensive personal development. It's common for clients and therapists to periodically evaluate progress and revisit treatment goals, adjusting the duration accordingly. Ultimately, the duration of your Person-Centred Therapy is determined collaboratively between you and your therapist, based on your individual needs and progress.
Since the 2020 pandemic, online therapy has boomed and people have appreciated the convenience of accessing help from where it’s needed. Accessing counselling through Pebbleshed Therapy is incredibly simple. There are no apps to download and sign in to, just click on the secure link I send, ‘knock’ on the therapy room and you’re in!
Online counselling has also opened up the benefits of therapy for those who have previously struggled with physical accessibility to counselling settings. As those with many medical conditions understand - every energy point is precious.
By working together virtually, you can save the time and energy that travelling, navigating, parking, inclement weather and uncomfortable surroundings can easily sap.
When deciding where you want to be for our session, choose somewhere quiet, where you can speak without being overheard. Think of your comfort; do you need cushions, are you warm, are you too warm?! You are welcome to have a drink with you when we start, or if during the session you need to stand up and move around to ease discomfort, please do so.
Access the counselling you need, where you need it.
What modality is the therapy?
I work in the Person-Centred modality. Very simply, it’s all about you, you are the greatest expert in you, not the therapist. There’s a myth that all counselling wants to take you back to your earliest memories and how you felt as a child. In person-centred counselling, we work with how you feel in the present.
This type of therapy prioritises building a supportive and understanding relationship between the therapist and the client. Three key elements define this approach: unconditional positive regard (acceptance without judgment), empathy (understanding the client's feelings), and congruence (authenticity from the therapist).
The focus is on you the client, and the therapist doesn't give solutions but instead creates a safe space for the client to explore their thoughts and feelings. The idea is that, with the right conditions, individuals can naturally move towards personal growth.
In a nutshell, person-centred counselling is about fostering a caring and open connection between the therapist and you, the client, allowing you to navigate your own path to self-discovery and positive change.
Finally, there can be some confusion over ‘therapy’ v’s ‘counselling’. In the UK, there isn’t really a difference, counselling is a talking therapy! However, please note that psychotherapy is a different discipline.
When is the right time for therapy?
Therapy is here for you whenever you’re ready. Everyone is different and the person-centred approach respects that.
People can benefit from the non-judgmental space that a supportive therapist provides, during times of life transitions and changes or periods of uncertainty and overwhelming stress. If you are thinking about therapy, try the free no-obligation 20-minute session with Pebbleshed Therapy and you can decide for yourself.
In terms of life-changing conditions, the stress of pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, managing symptoms, treatment, relapses or disease progression can all be trigger points to look for extra support. These stages don’t happen in isolation; life is still happening and it could be family responsibilities, work responsibilities, ‘sandwiched’ responsibilities typical of peri-menopausal women, learning about your new condition and many hospital appointments becoming overwhelming. You don’t have to keep it all in, let Pebbleshed Therapy be your breathing space.
How do I know you’re the right counsellor for me?
As person-centred therapy relies so much on the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, it makes sense for us to meet online first. Use the contact form to let me know your availability and we can arrange a free 20-minute introductory session.
Afterwards, you can decide if you would like us to start work together and we can arrange our 50-minute sessions. This is a no-obligation session, if you feel this isn’t the right fit or the right time for you, your details will be deleted and you will not be contacted further.
How long does therapy take?
The duration of Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) varies widely depending on individual needs and goals. Unlike some therapeutic approaches with predefined timelines, PCT is often considered a more open-ended, client-driven form of therapy. The length of therapy can be influenced by factors such as the client's specific issues, the depth of exploration desired, and the pace at which the client feels comfortable.
Some individuals may benefit from short-term, focused Person-Centred Therapy, while others may choose to engage in longer-term, ongoing sessions for more comprehensive personal development. It's common for clients and therapists to periodically evaluate progress and revisit treatment goals, adjusting the duration accordingly. Ultimately, the duration of your Person-Centred Therapy is determined collaboratively between you and your therapist, based on your individual needs and progress.
Pricing
It is £45 for a 50-minute therapeutic session. This is payable online by BACS transfer 48 hours before the scheduled session. During our initial meeting, please make me aware of any physical or mental additional needs that may make attending regular sessions difficult. We can work together to find how best to accommodate these needs.
If you are unable to make an appointment, please let me know as soon as possible so we can try to rearrange the time.