After completing my BSc degree in psychology in the UK, I supported people in a NHS pain clinic exploring ways to improve pain, mood and sleep difficulties. This might have involved talks around sleep hygiene, stress psycho-education, relaxation techniques or looking at what was happening around the client at the time that could have an impact onto their pain experience. Following the degree I completed a MSc Masters degree in Rehabilitation’s Psychology and I further supported young children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum with their difficulties in Anxiety management. Here was a focus on social understanding, negative thought patterns, behaviour and emotion work. I had previously supported the students who lived at the school either in the classroom or houses in the evenings and weekends, but now my focus was on the mental health and well-being.
I received my counselling qualification since living in France accredited by CPCAB and now have my own private practise supporting clients living abroad whose primary language is English and in need of support for anxiety, dealing with feelings of being overwhelmed and navigating health diagnoses in a foreign country. I am a graduate member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) which means I receive regular supervision, ongoing training to ensure safety and focus is for the clients needs.
I offer online counselling working in the person-centred approach as a British counsellor living in Brittany available to support English speaking clients. Whether it’s about not being able to shake off those negative thoughts, frequent feelings of worry about something or lifestyle coaching. I provide clients a warm and welcoming space to talk through difficulties they might be having as individuals navigating family life, moving abroad or health challenges. Having moved my own family abroad, I am familiar with the specific difficulties one can face when wanting to settle in a new country. Not speaking the language, children going to a new school, registering with the French tax and health system, finding a job, loss of identity, feeling disconnected, no friends and missing home. These are all scenarios that build stress on your life, which I fully recognise as I was here six years ago and needed my own therapist, and now, I am here to help you through all that.
I want to be there for people who might have lost confidence or need reassurance to build up that individual resilience. I feel passionate about emboldening people, to give them the support for the person to find the resources they have within themselves. We will focus on the here and now, to understand why something might have happened and make a plan of where we want to be within the week, month or years to come. There will be no pressure from me: this is about you, the client. Your pace, your needs, your resolution.
Outside of work I spend most of my time with my family and animals. I value time outdoors, so I can often be walking through the local woods with my dog, sitting on the beach watching the sea or biking along the local river. Time outdoors helps me to ground and find space to be more present with my family.
I am an English-speaking counsellor specialised in the person-centred approach, offering online sessions to adults.
Overall
Leanne is wonderful! I am a new ex pat living in Paris and having some personal issues. Leanne was very responsive and I was able to see her the next day. She is very personable, kind, listens well, and also provides insights. Highly recommended!
