Counselling and Psychotherapy in Berkhamsted, LONDON and Online
Welcome to Lee Payton
Counselling and Psychotherapy
in Berkhamsted, LONDON and Online
Lee Payton Counselling and Psychotherapy
About Me
Hello, I'm Lee Payton and thank you for visiting my website. I work with a range of differing clients from aged 18 to older-age adult in Berkhamsted, London and online. I have a special interest in anxiety and related issues, such as panic attacks and stress.
My training in therapeutic counselling is aimed to help you understand what is taking place when experiencing strong feelings and emotions, whether they be due to anxiety, stress, panic attacks, low mood, self-harm or a range of other areas. We then work together by talking, to look at the future you would like, without fear or sadness, anxiety or stress.
I hold a First-Class Honours Degree in Psychology with Counselling, qualifications in Person-Centred Therapeutic Counselling and Psychodynamic Counselling, plus diplomas in various useful areas including Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Mindfulness, traditional and Cognitive Hypnotherapies and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). As well as being a qualified Counsellor, I am also a Counselling Psychologist in training.
In addition to carrying out assessments at a local hospice, I am a member of the Hospice Counselling Team. I have worked with children and young people at a Hertfordshire school counselling service, many of who were awaiting appointments for Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Counselling Services
Anxiety
Counselling for anxiety can often:
- Help clients think less stressfully, more clearly, and make better decisions.
- Help you understand the messages the brain sends during anxiety, and learn the tools needed to counter them.
- Help you by tackling day to day challenges, and to help stop worrying unnecessarily.
- Help you regain wellbeing and balance in your life, without stress and anxiety.
- Help develop a greater connection to yourself and others.
- Help you figure out what’s important for you, and how to get it.
Depression & Low Mood
Counselling for depression and low mood can often:
- Help you gain a different perspective on problems and issues.
- Help you tackle day to day problems, and help to stop procrastination.
- Help you regain wellbeing and balance in your life.
- Help develop a greater connection to yourself and others.
- Help you figure out what’s important for you, and your wellness.
- Help clients think more clearly, and make better decisions.
- Help with improving and maintaining relationships.
Young Adults
Counselling for young adults can often:
- Help clients become more motivated, confident and assertive.
- Help young adults understand the mechanisms of anxiety, to help them manage anxiety more effectively.
- Help them develop a greater connection to their emerging sense of self, and towards others.
- Help young clients realise that being individual and unique, is a key to authenticity.
- Help increase communication skills, leading to greater understanding.
Identity Issues
Counselling for identity issues can:
- Help you regain wellbeing and balance in your life.
- Help clients to think more clearly, and to make better life decisions.
- Help you understand your own thoughts, feelings and responses better.
- Help overcome feelings of inadequacy.
- Help you release your true potential.
- Help increase intimacy with loved ones, and friends.
My Approach
Life brings many challenges, and it is understandable that at times we might look for support in facing them. As a counsellor, my role is to provide space and guidance to help you on your journey of self-discovery; to enable you to examine your life and make new, meaningful choices within it.
I offer a chance to reflect on the difficulties or problems you are experiencing in a safe and confidential environment, with someone from outside your day-to-day life. Together we can explore your situation in a way that leads to fresh perspectives- and perhaps a new understanding of yourself. Counselling isn't about giving you solutions or advice, but empowering you to make your own changes. That being said- some tools can be helpful, for example with anxiety, to help the sense of threat dissipate.
I am a person-centred therapist, which means my job is to accompany you on your journey- as a fellow traveller and sometimes guide- towards what the founder of person-centred counselling, Carl Rogers, called 'self-actualisation'. Person-centred work is focussed on empathy, a non-judgemental approach and providing emotional support; everyone has a built-in motivation to reach for their full potential, but sometimes need a bit of support to get there!
I also have training in the area mentioned above, so aim to work 'pluralistically' with you- that is, to understand your goals, aims and outcomes and how my training across differing areas can align with them as we set out together on our therapeutic journey.
FAQs
Psychotherapy is a wide term which describes talking therapies, including counselling. Counselling often refers to a brief therapy which looks at behaviour patterns. Psychotherapy can often be longer-term, exploring experience, emotional difficulties and problems. I work in each way, so will ensure you receive the most suitable support with whatever your issue.
Talking with someone confidentially, other than a family member or friend, can bring new insights and reflections of your issues. Counselling and psychotherapy offer a regular time for you to explore problems or feelings you are experiencing. A free, no obligation chat, without any pressure from me, may help you decide.
It depends on each client, and issue. Some clients come longer term, deciding as they go along. Some clients need only a few sessions and arrange a number before starting. I can work long or short-term. Either way, you are the decision-maker, and are not obliged, or are expected to stay. We plan what your expectations and goals might be, in our first session together.
I have worked with many clients, from varying backgrounds and groups. But each is uniquely individual. The best way to answer this is to arrange a free consultation, to chat about what brings you here, and how I can help. You can then be in no doubt.
Many different types of people! As a generalisation, I work with young adults aged 18-years plus, through adulthood to older-age adults.
Sessions then cost £60 per 60-minute session, the usual session rate. Sometimes requests are made for longer sessions, and these are costed pro rata. All sessions and costs are agreed before the first session. I provide invoices and/or receipts on request. I do offer concessions, but currently have no availability. Do, feel free to enquire, I will be happy to talk.
Bank transfer is becoming most common as it’s secure, but I accept cheques and cash.
Clients usually choose to come once a week. Depending on your individual needs, this can be negotiable.
I can be flexible to suit you, availability depending. Call me and we can find something to work around your available weekday hours. I also offer Saturday morning sessions until 12:00 noon.
My aim is to build an environment where you feel safe to discuss whatever you choose, without judgement or pressure. Due to COVID-19, this means working via the conferencing platform Zoom, or by telephone. As soon as it is safe to do so, my comfortable therapy room in Berkhamsted will be open to you, for face-to-face sessions. I offer ‘walk and talk’ sessions also, if clients are unable to work online, or via telephone.
I ask for 24-hours-notice if you need to cancel. Otherwise you may be liable for the full session fee.
Your confidentiality is crucial to me. My privacy policy can be found on this website, which details confidentiality and any limits, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) information. Similarly, my terms and conditions are available on this website and/or by request.
