Laura Couldrey:
Trainee Psychotherapist (BACP student member)
My name is Laura Couldrey and I am a trainee psychotherapist registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), working at HQ Therapy Rooms in Haggerston, Hackney, London E8.
I have always had an avid interest in mental health and well-being from a young age, studying Psychology at both GCSE and A-level grades. I then went on to complete a degree in Psychology with Clinical Psychology and am currently in my second year of a two-year post-graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy.
I have previously worked at a trauma-informed charity on a programme designed to help people struggling with self-harm, suicidality and emotion regulation difficulties, and often people with diagnoses of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder.
This involved using Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) skills in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal relationships and mindfulness.
The skills can benefit people with lots of different struggles. As well as this I worked in an NHS Assertive Outreach Service with people who had long-standing mental health difficulties such as Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder.
My most recent job is in an NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis team, where I support people suffering from first-episode psychosis alongside other mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.
Within this role, I also facilitate Family Intervention for Psychosis which aims to provide education to carers and families, offer a safe space to ask questions about the diagnosis, and talk about any issues that may arise from this.
The type of therapy I offer is integrative, meaning I do not work specifically from one modality, and instead bring aspects from different frameworks into my practice. I understand that seeking therapy can be a really frightening experience and it is difficult to open up to someone new.
Through facilitating therapy, I aim to provide a safe space where you feel listened to, understood, and heard.
I have experience in working with people on a one-to-one basis for both short- and longer-term periods towards mental health goals and all the work we do together will be in collaboration with each other with the aim that you always feel supported and never alone.
I hope to make you feel as comfortable as possible by working at a pace that feels right to you.
Creating positive relationships with my clients is very important to me, and I hope that through building trust and safety, it will feel easier to talk about difficult feelings and experiences.
One of the things I pride myself on is having hope that things can improve in the future and if it is too difficult for you to believe that at the time then holding that hope for you. I wholeheartedly believe that no one is a lost cause and change is always possible.
