Laura Henderson-Begg

I have some in person and online availability 

Hello, my name is Laura - I am a fully qualified, UKCP accredited and registered BACP existential psychotherapist. 

I have a particular interest in trauma, and also work across a breadth of difficulties including; anxiety, OCD, depression, chronic illness, grief, relationship difficulties, coercion, fertility, child-free, gender identity and sexuality. 

I provide in person therapy in Barnstaple and Exeter, and online therapy nationally. Fixed term, open long-term or short-term therapy available.

What is Existential Therapy?

Existential therapy can help you gain a deeper understanding of how you are experiencing life, and what it is like to exist, as you, in your world. It is relational in its approach, meaning curiosity of how you and I relate can reveal insights for how you may be relating in the outside world.

I understand the desire for pain to end, but experience tells me life’s pain cannot be ‘fixed’ and there are (unfortunately) no ‘magic answers’. Existential therapy asks; what then? Acknowledging pain as fundamental to living, existential therapy supports you through a process of finding new ways to live with and bear your pain.

A little about how I work:

I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel a difficult first step.

There are many reasons that might bring you to therapy - you may have something specific you wish to work on, or perhaps you don’t know what is making you feel low or things bleak. I like to work collaboratively and flexibly. Sometimes it can be useful to reflect on how past experiences may be influencing your present; or it may be there are pressing current life events or circumstances that you want to focus on. 

What you speak about is your choice and there is no pressure to talk; I believe there is value to be found even in shared silences.

Therapy can be a place of potential and change, where small shifts can make a significant difference. Whatever it is that brings you to therapy, I believe that through talking, exploring, and reflecting, new possibilities for how to tackle the difficulties in your life may emerge.

Experience:

I trained for five years in advanced existential psychotherapy. I worked for several years for the NHS with people who have experienced abuse. Prior to training, I worked for many years in the arts, and also education and bring with me an understanding of these particular sectors.

Qualifications include:

- Postgraduate Certificate in Existential Psychotherapy

- Master’s Degree in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling (Distinction)

- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy

- Foundation Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy

- Awarded Hans Cohn Scholarship from the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA) where I am also a member.

I like to offer an initial, complimentary session of 50 mins, which allows us an opportunity to meet, and be together as we would if we worked together. I suggest these as an opportunity for you to see if you feel comfortable working with me, and it can also be a place where you can ask any questions you may have. 

If you feel that I am the right relationship for you, we can then agree a weekly session time.