ABOUT ME

I'm Laura Duester PNCPS (Acc). I'm a qualified and accredited counsellor and psychotherapist, providing one-to-one sessions online and in Bicester, Oxfordshire (OX26).

I provide a welcoming and non-judgemental space where you can share your thoughts, feelings, problems and worries in total confidence. Together, we'll explore how to help you feel better, increase your self-understanding, and make positive changes.

I'm extremely passionate about mental health and love giving people the space, time and support they need to find self-acceptance, improve relationships, overcome trauma/challenges and live a satisfying life.

As well as running a private counselling practice, I've worked for organisations including universities, schools, charities, helplines and dance organisations. I've also provided workplace counselling for businesses including software companies, banks and healthcare agencies, and regularly deliver mental health training.

Please get in touch so we can discuss the best way forward for you.

Contact me

QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

NATIONAL COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY SOCIETY (NCPS)
ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL REGISTRANT

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PSYCHODYNAMIC COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

CERTIFICATE IN ONLINE AND TELEPHONE COUNSELLING

CERTIFIED CLINICAL TRAUMA PROFESSIONAL

BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR PERFORMING ARTS MEDICINE REGISTERED PRACTITIONER

AWARD IN ADVANCED COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY

REWIND TRAUMA THERAPY PRACTITIONER

WALK AND TALK & OUTDOOR THERAPY TRAINED

CERTIFIED HAPPINESS FACILITATOR

DIPOLOMA IN MINDFULNESS-BASED STRESS REDUCTION

CERTIFICATE IN LIFE COACHING

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AIDER

FURTHER CPD & TRAINING IN:
SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY, CREATIVE COUNSELLING, EATING DISORDERS,
COUPLE RELATIONSHIPS, SAFEGUARDING & PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

I'm a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and am on an Accredited Register that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. The Accredited Register programme was set up by the government to ensure public safety, high professional standards and excellent service. My accreditation demonstrates that I meet the rigorous standards required of a qualified, competent and ethical counsellor.

I'm also listed as a counsellor and psychotherapist with BAPAM and Counselling Directory.

I'm fully insured, supervised and have an up-to-date enhanced DBS check. I'm commited to the highest possible quality practice, undertake regular CPD and abide by the NCPS's Code of Ethics.

MY COUNSELLING APPROACH

I'm trained in a variety of different counselling styles and tailor my approach according to each client's individual needs.

The type of counselling that's most useful to you is likely to vary over time. Sometimes, you may just want to talk with a kind and impartial listener. At other times, you may prefer to dig deep into your problems and gain understanding, with me acting as fellow 'detective' to help work out what's going on. Sometimes, a more practical approach with coping strategies will be most helpful. We will always work together to find out what's best for you.

My main training is in psychodynamic counselling, which sees the ‘psyche’ – a difficult word to translate, encompassing the self, thoughts, emotions, soul and mind – as constantly active and changing. Psychodynamic theory is based on part of the mind being unconscious, with experiences during childhood shaping the way in which people behave, think and experience life. However, I also draw on CBT, positive psychology and other approaches to help clients overcome problems and difficulties.

Counselling aims to help you understand the link between now and the past, and bring previously unconscious ideas and feelings into conscious awareness. In this way, deep emotional insight and self-understanding is gained, so you can better manage your feelings, improve your relationships and live a more satisfying life. Counselling is also an invaluable way to find greater meaning and discover what truly makes you happy.