Elaysis Therapy
A warm, confidential space to pause, explore your experiences and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.
Welcome
Sometimes life leaves us carrying more than we were ever meant to carry alone. Therapy offers a space to pause, feel heard, and begin to understand yourself with greater compassion.
Hello, I'm Lesley, an integrative counsellor committed to supporting clients as they reconnect with themselves, overcome life’s challenges and move forward with greater confidence, self-understand and resilience. Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step, and it's understandable to feel unsure about where to begin. You may have been thinking about therapy for some time or wondering what it would be like to talk to someone you've never met before. This website gives you an opportunity to find out more about me, how I work, and whether we're the right fit to work together.
Together, we'll explore your experiences in a way that can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself. As we begin to recognise patterns that may be influencing your thoughts, feelings and relationships, new possibilities for growth and change can emerge.
I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation, giving you the opportunity to tell me a little about what has brought you to therapy, ask any questions you may have, and find out more about how I work. It's also a chance for us to consider whether working together feels like the right fit.
If you're wondering whether therapy could help, or would like to arrange a telephone consultation, I'd be pleased to hear from you. Simply complete the contact form below and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
How I work
Where and how we meet
I offer both in-person sessions in Peterborough and online therapy across the UK and overseas, as well as telephone sessions where appropriate.
As an Integrative Psychotherapist, I don't believe there is a single approach that suits everyone. Every person brings their own experiences, relationships and way of understanding the world, so I tailor therapy to your individual needs rather than following one fixed model.
My work is grounded in Humanistic principles, where the therapeutic relationship is central. I also draw on a range of evidence-informed approaches, including attachment theory, relational psychotherapy and an understanding of how our early experiences and our nervous system can influence the way we think, feel and relate to others. This allows me to work flexibly while always keeping your unique experience at the heart of our sessions.
What I believe
I believe that every person deserves to be heard, understood and accepted without judgement. Given the right relationship, I believe meaningful change is possible, and that therapy can provide a space to develop greater self-awareness, strengthen emotional resilience and build a more compassionate relationship with yourself.
My role isn't to tell you what to do or to have all the answers. Instead, I'll work alongside you with curiosity, compassion and respect, creating a space where you can explore your experiences at a pace that feels right for you.
I believe that we all develop ways of coping that have helped us at different times in our lives. Sometimes the ways we learned to cope no longer serve us in the way they once did, leaving us feeling stuck, overwhelmed or disconnected from ourselves.
At your own pace
I understand that opening up can feel difficult. We'll work at a pace that feels manageable, allowing you the time and space to explore thoughts and feelings without pressure. Sometimes therapy involves sitting with uncertainty or painful emotions, but you won't have to do that alone.
My aim is to create a calm, accepting and emotionally safe space where you can explore your experiences without fear of judgement.
First session
Starting therapy can feel like a significant step, and it's natural to feel uncertain about what to expect.
You don't have to have everything worked out before coming to therapy. Sometimes simply having a space where you don't need to carry everything on your own can be the beginning of something different.
Our first session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and to explore what has brought you to therapy. I'll ask some questions about your current circumstances, your life experiences, your relationships, and what you're hoping to gain from therapy. This helps us develop a shared understanding of your experiences and consider how we might work together in a way that best supports you.
There is no expectation to share everything at once. You are always free to say if something feels too difficult to talk about, and we can return to it another time if and when you feel ready. We'll work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Towards the end of our time together, we'll reflect on how the session has felt and whether working together seems like the right fit. Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and it's important that you feel comfortable and able to make that choice without any pressure. If you decide you'd like to continue, we can arrange your next session before you leave.
About me
Before retraining as a psychotherapist, I spent many years working within the NHS and later as a director in the corporate hospitality industry.
These experiences gave me an understanding of the pressures that many people live with every day—balancing work and family life, managing responsibility, navigating change, coping with uncertainty, and trying to meet everyone else's expectations while losing sight of their own needs.
My decision to retrain as a BACP registered therapist with a degree in humanistic and integrative counselling and psychotherapy came from a genuine interest in understanding people and the ways our experiences shape who we become.
I have a particular interest in supporting people who have spent much of their lives putting the needs of others before their own. This may include unpaid carers, people recovering from controlling or abusive relationships, those affected by childhood trauma, individuals navigating menopause, or anyone struggling following the breakdown of an important relationship.
When life feels difficult
Sometimes it's clear why you're struggling. You may be living with anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties or the effects of painful experiences.
At other times, there isn't one obvious reason. You may simply feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself, or find that life doesn't feel as fulfilling as it once did. Perhaps you've spent so long looking after other people that you've lost sight of your own needs.
Life inevitably brings challenges, loss and change. While therapy can't prevent difficult things from happening, it can help you understand how your experiences have shaped you, how you've learned to cope, and whether those ways of coping are still serving you today.
Having a space where you feel genuinely listened to can be the beginning of something different. Together, we can explore your thoughts, feelings and relationships with curiosity and compassion, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and creating the opportunity for meaningful and lasting change.
If what you've read resonates with you, I'd be pleased to hear from you. We can begin with a free 15-minute telephone consultation to explore whether working together feels right for you.
Areas I can help with
I offer sessions for a range of personal and emotional challenges including:
Fees
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