Why would you want to start working with me?

In a compassionate and non-judgemental atmosphere you can build practical tools that will help you stop worrying, build relationships, feel less isolated, stop feeling ashamed, and develop self- esteem. You can better manage flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. Understanding your attachment style will help you better meet your needs.
You can expect expert care and support as you prioritise your life and mental health. You can learn to enjoy relationships, trust yourself, and stop being over-vigilant. Abuse or bullying foster deep feelings of abandonment and can lead to people-pleasing. We can uncover how your experiences may be repeating in your relationships and work to change course.

My approach

I am a qualified and BACP accredited therapist who works to empower women, build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and learn lifelong coping skills. I work as an Integrative Counsellor who is proficient in all 3 counselling techniques. This allows me to adapt my approach to your needs to get the best out of the counselling relationship. A trusting relationship is the key to successful therapy. By doing an assessment at the start of therapy we can establish what your therapy goals are and how to achieve them. I have provided a brief explanation of the therapies I use below:

Person Centred

Based on the principle that the Counsellor provides three core conditions, empathy (being able to understand and share your feelings), congruence (being trustworthy and genuine in interactions), and unconditional positive regard (not judging behaviour and seeing the whole person).

Psychodynamic

Based on the idea that our relationships from childhood are unconsciously repeating in the present, wreaking havoc on our behaviour and personal growth. By developing an awareness and understanding of how this is affecting you, it gives you the chance to acknowledge it and start to choose a different outcome.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Identifying negative and irrational beliefs/thoughts and how these shape our feelings and behaviour. By choosing different thoughts we can lessen the impact of strong feelings and move to an alternative behaviour that will serve us better.

Life Coaching skills

Counselling can take us from dysfunctional to functional. However, life coaching can take us from functional to exceptional, so once you have reached healthy functioning I can teach you some tools to help you visualise your ideal future, embrace your fears and start truly living your life the way you choose to.

Rewind Technique

The Rewind is relatively new, although the original technique it evolved from was
created over 30 years ago. In the therapeutic world, it has been hailed as a bit of a
miracle cure as practitioners have discovered just how effective it is. And the
research studies are now coming out which back that up.

Qualifications, Training, Experience

AIM - Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice

CPCAB – Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies

CPCAB – Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

CPCAB - Introduction to Counselling Skills

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism

The Rewind Technique

Dealing with distress. Working with suicide and self-harm

Working with trauma in a time of trauma

Working with relational trauma

Depression a compassionate view

Understanding sexual violence

Counselling in a hospice

Counselling in a women's trauma and abuse service.

Working as a Therapeutic Practitioner for a high profile children's charity

My name is Louise Willetts and my passion for the last 18 years has been working 121 with women and I have been privileged to provide strength and stability to so many women over the years, ranging from a long-standing career in Management before transitioning into a Counsellor role working in both trauma and bereavement services.

How I have found joy in my own adversity..

I myself have survived and thrived through adversity after I was diagnosed with a serious and traumatic illness in 2010. I was extremely fortunate to have been asked to take part in filming for a well-known UK documentary, pioneering a trial NHS treatment that has left me symptom-free. My treatment caused menopause at the early age of 35 however my husband and I had IVF success with our only surviving embryo leading to the birth of our very special daughter Joy. My path has led me on a journey of self-discovery and self-mastery that I truly believe is available to anyone who has experienced depths of despair. To read more about this see the buttons to news articles below.

BBC

Daily mail

University of Sheffield