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QUIET-SPACE.ONLINE

Confidential and Practical Counselling

WHAT I DO

Online Professional Counselling for Ordinary People with Serious

or Life-Limiting Illness

Welcome to my Website!  My name is Laurence McGonnell. I am an accredited counsellor & psychotherapist with over twenty years experience. I specialise in working with people facing life-limiting illnesses, as well as their family members or friends. As you are visiting this website, I'm assuming that this may be you. Have you or a family member had a diagnosis you weren't expecting? Do you feel anxious or worried? Does your illness leave you feeling angry or that life is unfair? Do you feel uncertain about your future? Can't sleep? Feeling down? Don't want to worry your family or friends by telling them what's really going on or how you're really feeling? If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions,  then I may be able to help. Serious illness does not just affect our bodies, but also the way we feel about ourselves, our relationships, our quality of life, our hopes and our expectations. While a Counsellor will typically help you to explore your feelings and concerns, I can also help you to identify goals and strategies that can help to manage your illness and to live more meaningfully. I  look forward to helping you.

Wheat Field

"When you are up against a wall, put down roots like a tree, until clarity comes from deeper sources to see over the wall and grow"

Carl Gustav Jung

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ABOUT ME

I never dreamed I would end up working in  Counselling and Psychotherapy. I've always been fascinated by people and different cultures, and have been fortunate over the years to have lived, studied and worked in different parts of the world.  My journey has taken me to Continental Europe, East Africa, South East Asia and the United States. Returning to the UK gave me the opportunity to access Counselling for the first time.  If I'm honest I was very wary of it but knew deep down that it could be useful. I'd reached a point in my life where I needed to unpick some issues that left me feeling unsettled. I found an empathic, skilled and effective therapist who helped me to put aside my scepticism. Choosing to access counselling was transformative for me, giving me the sense of clarity and vision I needed.  I felt so strongly about the value of counselling and the skills I'd learned, that I decided to make this a key part of my life. I wanted to help others to access the same quality of support I'd experienced. I looked for my 'niche' once qualified, trying out a variety of specialisations.  But it is the fourteen years I've spent in the world of Hospice and Palliative Care that helped me to see where my passion lies. Life is indeed precious, and over the years I have been privileged to walk with so many fascinating people trying to make sense of life-limiting illnesses.  Because they are ill does not mean that they are any less passionate about life.  It does not mean that they 'become' their illness.  They are ordinary people, who happen to be ill. It is a privilege for me to walk with them, or with their spouses, partners, family members, or friends.  I retain a strong connection with Hospice and the world of Palliative Care and am now privileged to offer my skills and experience in supporting people online, or via telephone.  You will never know if this is right for you unless you try.

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TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL BODIES

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and also the National Counselling Society (NCS). I appear on both BACP and NCS professional accredited registers, which come under the UK Professional Standards Authority.  I abide by both BACP and NCS Codes of Ethics and Practice, and am fully accountable for my Professional Standards and Practice.

I hold a Masters Degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling, a Diploma in Humanistic Counselling & Psychotherapy, a Diploma in Clinical Supervision and a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. If you are familiar with 'therapy speak,' my approach is Integrative

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SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

CLINICAL SUPERVISION

TRAINING

I provide online professional clinical supervision for counsellors or psychotherapists.  My specialist area is the support of people with life-limiting illnesses, and I provide clinical supervision to other professionals working in similar or related areas.  I also have extensive cross-cultural experience, supporting counsellors and therapists with culturally different clients.  Please feel free to contact me to discuss your supervision needs.

With a parallel professional background in teaching and training. I taught psychology and introduction to Counselling courses for six years at a College affiliated to Middlesex University I have extensive experience in designing and delivering bespoke training courses. I retain a strong interest in training and professional development, and continue to develop and deliver bespoke training sessions.  Please feel free to contact me to discuss your training needs.

CONTACT

Need to talk informally before deciding? No problem.  Drop me a line with your name, telephone number, and a few words about you or your situation, and I'll be happy to schedule a call.

My email:  admin@quiet-space.online

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