Laura Harley, BSc MBACP

Do you know what you need to be happy? How important are your needs? Do you put up with things that upset you, avoid them or hope they go away? Avoidance might be fine, for a while - but eventually, our pain has a way of finding us. Better then to face our issues and understand who we really are so that we can become content sooner rather than later. Our struggles are unique, and so finding a way through them is often much more complex than reading a book, meditation or listening to a podcast. Online counselling can fit into your life seamlessly and confidentially, all the while helping you to learn the tools to allow you to live differently. The fact is, some of the things life throws at us are extremely painful. We might be struggling to find a romantic partner or trying to find a way out of a job that we hate. We might have a troubled past with family members who are still in our lives. Friends can disappear into relationships and child-rearing. Things change and sometimes we struggle to adapt, as a result, we might have low self-esteem, suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, even self-harm and suicidal thoughts. If you're struggling, allow me to reassure you. This too will pass, but it might pass a lot more quickly if you can be open to the support of a therapist - someone who can guide you back to a comfortable place, to your best you. Tell me about your goals, and I will tell you how we can get there. Online therapy is scientifically proven to be as effective as face-to-face therapy. There's no reason why we should be stuck with the old ideas of face-to-face therapy when we could be enjoying working conveniently, securely and efficiently online. The other bonus to this approach is that online therapy can fit around your lifestyle, so if you're travelling for work or pleasure, struggle to leave the home due to anxious thoughts, work for yourself and need to minimise downtime, or perhaps have difficulties finding childcare, this can fit into your routine seamlessly. I offer a FREE introductory 30-minute video call - where we can meet, chat about therapy and how it could be useful to you. There's no commitment and we can talk about any questions you might have. See my live availability and book your free session online instantly via my website https://www.harleycounselling.com/ I specialise in working with those in their twenties, thirties and forties - I'm different from many therapists. I'm a millennial too and find that this means I can relate to the issues that our generation come up against more easily than others. If you have a complicated life and are worried that an older therapist might take a more parental, judgemental role then be reassured that doesn't happen with me. I've had my struggles too navigating this complex modern world, and coming through them as a stronger and more resilient person is what makes me a good therapist. I work extensively with GSRD clients - if you identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community then know that I have extensive experience in this area and that all are welcome in my private practice. I am a sex-positive counsellor which means that I approach any work which clients might bring regarding their sexual preferences and history without judgment or shame. There are lots of reasons my clients choose to work with me - relationship issues and generalised anxiety disorder are two of the top reasons but many others do so because they are looking for ways to resolve problems with family members, partners or friends. They might be navigating fertility issues, bereavement, addiction, work-stress etc. Depression, feeling sad, family issues, affairs and betrayals, separation and divorce, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), low self-esteem and low self-confidence are also very common themes of my work. Self-harm and suicidal thoughts are also a large part of my caseload. I come from a corporate background - with more than a decade working as an IT consultant before changing career completely to become a psychotherapist. I know that change is hard, I've been there, but it is absolutely possible. What I did take away from my old career was an astute understanding of business, management hierarchy, corporate systems, awareness of how difficult it can be to leave a job that looks good from the outside, when we are dreading it from the moment we wake. If I can make those changes, so can you - and I'd be happy to coach you through doing the same if that's your goal. I know that therapy can seem daunting - particularly if it's something we haven't tried before. I'm a very informal person and there is no need to be anything but yourself in therapy with me. And if you don't know who that is yet, then I can help you find them. Book your FREE 30-minute video or voice call instantly at https://www.harleycounselling.com Training, qualifications & experience I am a fully qualified counsellor with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Level 7). My training is BACP accredited meaning that those who have achieved this qualification have adhered to the highest standards of professional ethics and training requirements throughout. As a result, I am a Registered Member of the BACP (UK & EU) and am bound by their professional framework. You can find my entry on the Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register. I hold the following qualifications: Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Level 7) Bachelor's Degree in Science (Hons) - Multimedia Production Technology Certificate in Counselling Foundation Certificate in Coaching Couples Counselling CPD I am continuously training and updating my skill set as I must in order to keep up with the changing demands and needs of my clients, and as a professional committed to my therapeutic career. I hold current, valid professional indemnity insurance with Balens Ltd, and am DBS checked.