laura hordern counselling

Relationship concerns often involve connections with family, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues. I work with both individuals and couples presenting with a wide range of issues including:

• Communication Problems: Difficulty in expressing thoughts and emotions, misunderstanding cues, or ineffective communication patterns leading to frustration and conflict in the relationship.
• Intimacy and Connection: Struggles with establishing or maintaining emotional and physical intimacy in the relationship, leading to feelings of distance or dissatisfaction.
• Trust Issues: Past betrayals/infidelity or breaches of trust that create challenges in building or rebuilding trust in the relationship.
• Parenting and Family Dynamics: Issues related to parenting styles, conflicts with children, or challenges in extended family relationships.
• Life Transitions and Changes: Major life events such as marriage, childbirth, job changes, or relocation.
• Loss and Grief within the Relationship: Experiencing the loss of a loved one, a miscarriage, or other significant losses and its impact on the relationship.
• Sexual Issues: Challenges related to sexual intimacy, such as differing desires or sexual dysfunction.
• Relationship Dissatisfaction and Ambivalence: Overall dissatisfaction with the relationship or feelings of ambivalence about the future.

I model authenticity by being genuine and transparent. This creates a space where you will feel comfortable being your authentic self in your relationships.

I encourage self-exploration by asking you to reflect on your own role in the relationship dynamics. This may involve exploring past experiences and identifying patterns of behaviour. Depending on the nature of the issues, I may offer guidance on communication skills, or boundary-setting, all while keeping the focus on empowering you to make your own choices.

Identity is a complex aspect of human experience and issues may stem from various sources, including personal experiences, societal expectations, cultural influences, and life transitions, all of which can impact self-esteem. I support the therapeutic process by helping the exploration and understanding of a range of issues, such as:

• Self-Exploration and Self-Understanding: Questioning aspects of your personality, values, beliefs, and life goals.
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Understanding and accepting your sexual orientation or gender identity. This can involve exploring feelings of confusion, discrimination, or the challenges of coming out.
• Identity and Relationships: Issues related to family roles, friendships, romantic relationships, or the impact of past relationships on your identity.
• Body Image and Physical Identity: Issues related to body image, weight, and physical appearance can influence self-esteem and identity.
• Trauma and Identity: Grappling with issues of identity, including a sense of self-worth, trust, and safety, perhaps arising from past trauma.
• Social Identity and Discrimination: Issues related to social identity, including experiences of discrimination or marginalisation based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other factors.

I will integrate different techniques to provide a holistic exploration of your identity. This may involve examining thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and body sensations.

I will support you in integrating various aspects of your identity, recognising that identity is fluid and multifaceted. This process may involve reconciling conflicting parts and fostering a more cohesive sense of self.

Throughout the counselling process, I will empower you to take an active role in your self-discovery, which aligns with the person-centred emphasis on your inherent capacity for growth and self-realisation.

I have a lot of experience working within this area, including the following issues:

• Persistent Sadness and Hopelessness: a pervasive and persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness.
• Suicidal ideation and Self-harm: Feeling like you want to end your life or harm yourself.
• Increased Anxiety and Nervousness: Anxious thoughts and feelings including intrusive thoughts and panic attacks.
• Irritability
• Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness, accompanied by negative self-talk, perceived shortcomings and a struggle with self-compassion.
• Loss of Interest and Pleasure: a lack of motivation or interest in things that used to bring joy.
• Difficulty Concentrating: A sense of mental fog or confusion.
• Negative Thought Patterns: Catastrophising, self-criticism, and a focus on worst-case scenarios
• Rumination: Repeatedly dwelling on negative thoughts and experiences
• Excessive Worry: Excessive worry about future events, your own performance, or the well-being of yourselves and your loved ones.

I encourage the expression of suppressed emotion, which may involve acknowledging and processing intense feelings of despair, hopelessness, or guilt. I will encourage you to reflect on your beliefs, strengths, and areas of personal growth, which is an important reflective process that can help build self-esteem and alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression.

TA can be used to identify negative ‘life scripts’ or stories that contribute to anxiety and depression. I will collaborate with the you to challenge and reframe these scripts, promoting a more positive and empowering narrative.

I will emphasise your responsibility for your own choices and well-being; empowering you to make positive choices. I may facilitate conversations around themes, such as freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning, which can help you to find significance and purpose in your lives.

I will work with you on developing coping strategies. These strategies may include identifying support systems, creating safety plans, and building resilience in the face of challenges.

• LGBTQ+
• anger
• eating disorders
• boundaries
• self-esteem
• shame
• seasonal affective disorder
• childhood trauma
• loss and grief
• work stress/issues related to work
• stress