Supporting your mental well-being through online counselling

Starting counselling (also known as therapy or psychotherapy) is often quite a scary prospect. At a time when you may be feeling at your lowest or most vulnerable, reaching out can feel daunting but deciding who to reach out to can be even more overwhelming.

What do the different approaches mean? Who is most experienced? Who will be able to help me the best?!

Although there are many different types of counselling to choose from, research tells us that the most important factor in determining a successful client outcome is the quality of the therapeutic relationship (Norcross, 2002; Elkins, 2016; Martin et al, 2002).

I offer a safe, confidential space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, expressing yourself without judgement. Feeling heard, seen, understood and accepted allows us to heal and grow using counselling as the foundation to build from. We can begin to live a life true to ourselves, happier and successful as individuals and in the relationships we have with those around us.

To read more about me, the services I offer, and some feedback received from past clients, please take a moment to explore the Lotus Counselling UK website further.

woman wearing gray jacket
woman wearing gray jacket

Book your 15 minute FREE telephone consultation

My free 15 minute telephone consultation is an opportunity for you to see if you feel comfortable with me and the way that I work, and to discuss how having counselling may help you. I’m happy to answer any questions you have and together we can decide whether mine is the best counselling and therapy service for you. There is no obligation or commitment to book any further sessions.

Once this is completed, and if we decide to do further work together, we can book a Counselling appointment together and begin Therapy

About Me

Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to visit me. Lotus Counselling UK offers online mental health talking therapy to individuals and families.

My name is Mandy and I am a qualified Counsellor, I qualified with a BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), membership no. 393650. I am insured by Holistic Insurance Services, I hold an up to date Enhanced DBS and have also completed the required safeguarding training, which is updated as required.

As a member of the BACP, I adhere to their code of ethics, have regular counselling supervision to ensure the safety of clients within my therapeutic private practice. I offer my clients a safe, ethical, competent, and professional service at all times.

My experience as a Counsellor is working with children and young people aged between 6 and 19 years based in primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form settings and also with adults through a local non-profit organisation and my Private Practice, all of this has provided me with a wealth of experience in areas such as:

don't give up. You are not alone, you matter signage on metal fence
don't give up. You are not alone, you matter signage on metal fence

I am a warm, professional, down-to-earth and experienced Counsellor who loves what she does.

  • Anger Management

  • Anxiety

  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Behavioural Issues

  • Bereavement

  • Body Image

  • Burnout

  • Confidence Issues

  • Control Issues

  • Depression

  • Panic Disorder

  • Parenting Issues

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

  • Relationship Issues (friends or romantic)

  • Self-esteem

  • Self-harm

  • Sleep Problems

  • Stress

  • Suicidal Thoughts

  • Trauma

  • Work and Career

As a qualified, registered and experienced Counsellor, I adopt a person-centred approach, meaning our sessions are more directed by you than led by me. It is time reserved for you, to be accepted and listened to without judgement.

The person-centred approach promotes the development of a strong therapeutic relationship and this, in turn, provides a solid base upon which change, and growth can happen, however I do integrate aspects of other approaches if I feel they can be of benefit to you.

You can do this and I can help you........

  • Difficulties at school

  • Eating Issues

  • Family Issues

  • Forgiveness

  • Gender Dysphoria / Identity

  • Grief & Loss

  • Identity Dysmorphia

  • Illness

  • Loneliness & Isolation

  • Marriage

  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

In my private practice all counselling sessions take place via Zoom.

Online therapy came into its own during the Covid-19 pandemic with the enforced lockdowns directing people to stay at home. It should not, however, be considered a ‘second best’ option compared with the more traditional method of face-to-face therapy. On the contrary online therapy holds just as much value for some clients as face-to-face sessions do for others.

Online therapy provides a greater selection of therapists for you, the client, to choose from given that you are not bound geographically to choose a therapist in your local area. Some clients consider this way of working to be more flexible in terms of there being no travel time and (providing the client has a quiet and private space in which to attend their online sessions) no childcare arrangements having to be made or childcare costs incurred.

For those clients who still experience or worry about the stigma around accessing therapy, online sessions can eliminate the chance of friends and family members seeing you arriving or leaving your counselling sessions.

Furthermore, with secure encryption software as well as online virus protection available, you, the client can have peace of mind that your confidentiality is not compromised by this more modern way of working.

Online Therapy

Talking Therapy

What is Person Centred Counselling?

None of us are exactly the same, everyone’s mind works in their own individual way. From their personality to how they process information, and their perception of themselves and the world around them. This is why there is such a variety in theory and approaches to counselling and therapy. What works for one person, won't necessarily work for another, we are truly unique.

The American psychologist Carl Rogers founded Person-Centred Therapy in the 1940s. He believed that humans are born with the ability to develop their true potential, however this ability could sometimes become blocked or disoriented by life experiences and influences, especially when they impact our sense of value.

He wanted a person-centred approach for counselling that focused on the clients' experience of themselves, as opposed to a counsellor forcing their expertise and telling them what to do, or what was wrong with them. When the client feels valued and accepted in therapy, they can begin to understand, value and accept themselves. This process can help them to reconnect with their own core values and sense of self-worth, following their own path to growth and develop their individual potential. The term for achieving this is known as 'self-actualisation'.

Key Concepts and Principles of Person-Centred Counselling

For this method to work, there needs to be a safe environment set, because the client, not the counsellor, leads it. Emotional and physical threat needs to be removed for raw openness, comfort and personal growth.

Therefore, there are key concepts and principles which encourage conditions believed to help achieve this environment, particularly in the therapy room.

These three key concepts in person-centred counselling are:

  1. Empathy: the counsellor trying to understand the client’s point of view

  2. Congruence: the counsellor being a genuine person

  3. Unconditional positive regard: the counsellor being non-judgemental

Be Like the Lotus, Trust in the Light, Grow through the Dirt, Believe in New Beginnings....

Information

Taking that first step to start therapy is an exciting and brave thing. But even once you’ve decided on a therapist, the process can feel intimidating and can be full of unknowns. I hope the below helps you.

You may be asking yourself - is Counselling for you? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you're in the right place.

  1. Are you struggling with your feelings - feeling anxious, depressed, lonely or worried?

  2. Do you want to feel more independent in your thinking and decision making?

  3. Are you feeling sad, lost, stuck or angry?

  4. Do you suffer with low mood, low self esteem or confidence?

  5. Are you trying to hide your true feelings from others?

  6. Do you find it a challenge to assert your needs (or maybe don't even know what they are)?

  7. Are you, or suspect you might be, neurodivergent (autistic and/or ADHD) and would like a safe place to explore yourself and the world around you?

  8. Do you feel ready to explore your thoughts and feelings?

  9. Are you ready to better understand yourself?

  10. Do you feel that you need to be listened to and accepted without judgement?

I feel privileged to have worked with individuals of all ages and gender helping them to take important steps in improving their lives.

By seeing something in a new way or simply trying something different, it makes sense that the outcome will also be different. Therapy is about helping you broaden your current awareness and find the answers just outside your reach.

We all need a helping hand from time to time so let’s get started.

12 Things To Know When Starting Therapy

1. Sometimes, you’re not going to like or enjoy therapy: - Like going to the gym, in that more often than not, “having gone” feels a lot better than the actual “going.” It’s not uncommon for things to get worse before they get better, but in the long-term you will arrive at a much clearer place.

2. You don’t have to stick with the first therapist you meet: - Starting therapy is not a lifelong commitment, so try not to put lots of pressure on it to go perfectly — or to stick with it if it wasn’t a good fit. Shop around, therapy is all about the relationship.

3. Think about your goals for starting therapy: - Don’t worry if you don’t know for sure, a good therapist will help you figure them out. From dealing with anxiety to wanting to find direction in your life, everyone’s goals will be different – remember there is no ‘right’ reason to go to therapy.

4. You won’t have an unforgettable breakthrough in every session: - A moment when you suddenly feel that you understand, or suddenly become conscious of something can be rare. Therapy is more about the process happening gradually towards a deeper understanding of yourself and your internal and external worlds. Plus, that 20+ year knot that developed in your childhood requires some untangling – give yourself some time.

5. There will be times that you will not like your therapist: - Even the best therapist will annoy you. Therapists will tell you things you don’t want to hear and challenge you to reflect on less-than-flattering things about yourself. This might result in you mistaking not liking your therapist with not liking the things they’re saying.

6. Therapy is a place to practice for real life: - You can use the space to try out more challenging forms of communication, like standing up for yourself, arguing, apologising, or being vulnerable. Challenge your therapist. Practice for real life situations like: breaking up with a friend, asking for a raise, admitting your faults out loud or voicing anger.

7. You can ask your therapist anything.:- You’re allowed to ask whatever you want, let your therapist explain their boundaries. You might not get a straight answer and some therapists might do that therapist thing of saying: “interesting question, why do you think you’ve asked this?” – don’t let this stop you, ask away!

8. Journaling post-session is a good way to get the most out of therapy:- A lot of the work happens outside of the therapy room. To get the most out of the work, take notes after the session. Write a summary of what you covered, what things were hard to talk about, lessons or things to remember and things you forgot to bring up or would like to revisit the next time.

9. You don’t have to be unwell to start therapy:- Therapy doesn’t always have to be a reaction to illness, but instead it can be an active engagement in wellness. Prevention is much easier than reaction, being in therapy will give you the tools to better your relationships and better deal with challenges when they come up.

10. It’s okay to write down what you want to talk about:- A therapeutic hour (50 minutes) can be over in a flash and although the here and now in the therapy room is incredibly important, when you’re already feeling nervous and unsure of what to say in your early sessions – it’s okay to have a list of things you want to cover. You might not cover it all but structure can help.

11. You will benefit from clearing time around your session: - Pop your phone on silent, tell anyone who may need to contact you that you’ll be out of contact for a bit, and don’t schedule anything for immediately after your appointment – you may find you need some time afterwards to gather your thoughts. Even half an hour can help or maybe go for a coffee.

12. Expect to talk about your history: - Each of our childhoods, wherever they sit on the scale between traumatic or benign, leave us with no other option but to be beautifully complex in adulthood. Understanding this, the challenges we face now are invariably responses to something that happened in the past. Expect to do some delving eventually.

In today's fast-paced and stressful world, many individuals struggle with their mental health. Lotus Counselling UK offers online talking therapy services to provide support to men, women, young people, and children. I am an experienced counsellor who understands the challenges you may face when reaching out for help and I aim to create a safe, confidential and comfortable environment for our therapy sessions. With your session being online, you can access therapy from the comfort of your own home, eliminating any barriers to seeking support. Contact me today to start your journey towards improved mental well-being.

The Importance of Mental Health Support

Learn about the benefits of seeking online mental health therapy and how it can help your during difficult times.

The Impact of Mental Health on Relationships

Mental health issues can have a significant impact on relationships, causing stress and strain on all individuals involved. Lotus Counselling UK provides online therapy services to help individuals navigate the challenges brought on by mental health struggles. I offer professional guidance and support to improve communication, establish boundaries, and develop coping mechanisms. By addressing mental health concerns, you can strengthen your relationships and create a healthier and more fulfilling life. Contact me today to learn more about my online counselling services.

Explore how mental health struggles can affect relationships and learn strategies to maintain healthy connections.

Services

Family Counselling

All family members are unique, each with different perspectives, needs, values and wants. These differences can lead to difficult situations and cause conflict within the family.

My family counselling services aim to improve communication and foster healthy relationships within the family. Family therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on your family as a unit and not individual members. I help your family work towards healthier relationships and facilitate the improvement of relationships and communications among all family members. It enables family members to express and explore difficult thoughts and emotions in a safe environment so that all your family members feel valued, understood and accepted.

Individual Counselling

Sometimes life can be difficult. Life may throw challenges our way which feel like they’re more than we can handle.

Counselling is a process which can help to support you if you have a problem or a difficult situation that you are wanting to resolve, or if you would like to explore the way you are thinking or feeling in a deeper way.

Our individual counselling sessions provide personalised support to help you navigate life's challenges. You may find it easier to talk to me about personal matters or whatever is on your mind because I am not your family or friend.

I am here to support and help you through the process though. I sincerely believe that everyone has the ability to overcome their struggles.

“Whenever you doubt your self-worth, remember the Lotus Flower. Even though it emerges from the mud, once it blooms and breaks the surface of the water, the lotus flower is entirely unmarked by the dirt that surrounded it.”

Clayton Micallef (2019) – The Lotus Flower and The Mud of Life

I offer a range of counselling services to men, women, young people, children and families. I am experienced in addressing a wide range of mental health issues.

Child Counselling

Every child is unique, and all children react to situations differently and in their own way. If you are concerned about your child's mental health please contact me.

Therapy for children involves a range of approaches to help the child manage and express their emotions.

I have experience in counselling children and supporting their parents and carers. Therapy with me will give your child the opportunity to talk about their thoughts and feelings without the fear of being judged. Speaking with me in the comfort of their own home and away from school, often takes away some of the initial pressure.

Therapy offers a safe environment for your child to express their thoughts and feelings and help them understand what may have caused them to think and feel this way.

Young Person Counselling

Each young person is unique, and naturally respond to different situations in their individual way.

Therapy can be a valuable tool for a young person who is facing a variety of different challenges, such as stress at school, social anxiety, behavioural issues or family conflicts. I'm also able to help your young person cope with everyday worries, such as exam stress and career choices, or relationship issues with family members, friends, or teachers. Therapy can help young people develop a better understanding of themselves and their emotions and also improve their coping skills.

It is important for a young person to feel comfortable with their therapist. Sometimes, depending on the age of the young person, parents can also play a role in supporting their young person's therapy by helping to schedule appointments, and showing interest in their young person's progress.

Counselling offers a safe environment for a young person to express their feelings and understand what may have caused them to feel this way. Having therapy with me will give a young person the opportunity to talk about their thoughts and feelings without the fear of judgement.

I have worked with many young people and have learnt how to connect with them, no matter how reluctant they may be initially to access counselling.

Counselling for Schools

I offer a range of counselling services for schools aimed at developing the mental health and emotional wellbeing of your pupils or staff.

I offer professional one-to-one counselling services to children, young people and staff who are experiencing mental health difficulties.

Counselling offers a safe environment and an opportunity for them to talk about their thoughts and explore their feelings in a confidential and non judgemental place.

I am able to work within the school or online and can provide a full enhanced DBS.

I would work in line with your schools policies and procedures and also follow the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

If you would like to know more or discuss fees please get in touch.

Prices Per Session

  • £45-£65 children (young people up to 18 years)

  • £40 student or discretionary discount rate for low incomes

  • £50 adults

  • £90 families

  • POA schools

All sessions last for up to 50 minutes

"Counselling has been a lifeline for me. The therapist is compassionate and understanding, and I felt truly supported on my journey to healing"

"I highly recommend Lotus Counselling UK to anyone in need of mental health support. The sessions have helped me gain clarity and develop coping strategies"

"The therapist created a safe and non-judgmental environment, allowing me to open up and work through my challenges"

"I am grateful for the support I have received from Lotus Counselling UK. The therapist genuinely cares about their clients' well-being"

“My counsellor made me feel very comfortable, I've learned many tools to help me work through my struggles. I feel like I'm speaking to someone who truly cares”

"I always left my counselling sessions feeling lighter and more in control of my thoughts”

“I liked the overall experience of talking about my emotions. I learned to better handle all of my thoughts and feelings"

"She helped me recognise the importance of putting strong boundaries in place, for which I will be forever grateful"

Client Testimonials

Contact Me

Reach out today to schedule a session or to learn more about my counselling services.

Counselling for Adults, Young People and Children; Individuals and Families

​I believe that counselling and therapeutic services should be available and accessible to everyone. Please get in touch if you would like to book an appointment, or have any questions about my services.

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Our Location

Hours

United Kindgom

Mon-Fri: 9am-8:30pm

Saturday 9am-1pm

Sunday 6:30pm-8:30pm