About Laura Hordern

LOCATION: Central Brighton consulting room and Online
AVAILABILITY: Monday evening, and Tuesday & Thursday daytime (online); Wed day/eves (in-person)
PRICE: £60 per session £85 couples
SPECIALISMS:
LGBTQ+
Eating disorders
Boundaries
Self-esteem
Shame
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Loss and grief
Childhood trauma
Anger
Stress

Training

Laura has over 10 years’ experience working within counselling and mental health. She trained as a person-centred counsellor and holds a first-class degree in Psychology. More recently, Laura has done further training in Transactional Analysis (TA) and working with couples and relationships using Gestalt theory.

Alongside her private practice, Laura has experience working in a range of settings, including a charity providing low-cost counselling to adults, and a youth service for people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Laura has completed various workshops on topics such as body psychotherapy, trauma, anger release, relational diversity, shame, eating disorders, suicidal ideation and existential therapy.

Approach

Laura will work collaboratively with you, placing emphasis on empathy, active listening, and your own capacity for self-discovery and growth, always with the therapeutic relationship at the heart of the work. Laura’s aim is to empower you to work through your issues authentically and in alignment with your own values, with a non-directive approach.

Laura emphasises your responsibility for your own choices and well-being; empowering you to make positive choices. Laura 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 life.

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

Relationships

Relationship concerns often involve connections with family, friends, romantic partners, or colleagues. Laura works 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, leading to feelings of distance or dissatisfaction.

• Trust Issues: Breaches of trust that create challenges in building or rebuilding trust in the relationship.

• Life Transitions: Major life events such as marriage, childbirth, job changes, or relocation. • Loss and Grief within the Relationship: 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. Laura is genuine and transparent. This creates a space where you will feel comfortable being your authentic self in your relationships. Laura may ask you to reflect on past experiences to identify patterns of behaviour. Laura may provide guidance on communication skills, or boundary-setting, all while keeping the focus on empowering you to make your own choices.

Identity

Identity issues may stem from various sources, and Laura supports 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: 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: 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.

• Social Identity and Discrimination: Experiences of discrimination or marginalisation based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other factors.

Laura integrates different techniques to provide a holistic exploration of your identity. This may involve examining thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and body sensations, whilst emphasising your inherent capacity for growth and change. Laura 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.

Anxiety and Depression

Laura has much 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.

• Loss of Interest and Pleasure: A lack of motivation or interest in things that used to bring joy.

• Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness, accompanied by negative self-talk, perceived shortcomings and a struggle with self-compassion.

• Negative Thought Patterns: Catastrophising, self-criticism, and a focus on worst-case scenarios

Laura encourages the expression of suppressed emotion, which may involve acknowledging and processing intense feelings of despair, hopelessness, or guilt. Laura 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. Laura will collaborate with you to challenge and reframe these scripts, promoting a more positive and empowering narrative.