I am an experienced counsellor with a genuine and warm approach and I am here to support you and listen to you.
I may not be able to change what is going on for you but I will help you start to feel better about what you can control and will facilitate you in finding feelings and skills you will need to make positive decisions and changes.
My name is Heidi Lester and I am a qualified counsellor, Supervisor and psychotherapist, with over 22 years experience of supporting adults and young people. I am a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), and abide by their code of ethics and good practice. All Counsellors are required to have their work supported and monitored by a qualified Supervisor.
I have extensive experience working in secondary schools and I currently work part time at Pembrokeshire College as their lead Counsellor. I am a lecturer for the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling course, training students to become Counsellors. I am also a qualified online therapist, working with clients via a variety of mediums including Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, What’s App video and audio call, telephone and email.
My practice is rooted within the Person Centred approach – It is a non-directive approach to being with another; that believes in the other’s potential and ability to make the right choices for themselves, regardless of the therapist’s own values, beliefs, and ideas. Person centred counselling focuses on the client’s ability to think in the here and now, and to create their own clarity and understanding of personal issues and problems.
To complement this I have the experience and knowledge to offer an integrative approach if I feel other theories and approaches would benefit the client. Each person needs to be considered as a whole and counselling techniques must be tailored to their individual needs and personal circumstances.
I am a warm, approachable and non-judgemental therapist. I believe in fostering an environment of trust, respect and confidentiality – empowering the client to roam around in their feelings and thoughts in a safe and comfortable space. By demonstrating the core conditions of the Person Centred approach – empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard – my aim is to build a therapeutic alliance with my clients which will allow them to alter the way they think about their situations and ultimately get to a better place emotionally. Emphasis is always placed on the client, their needs and their desired outcomes.
Professional qualifications include:
- Master of Arts in Counselling Children and Young People
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- Professional Supervision for Counsellors Level 4 Certificate
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education
- Diploma in Counselling Skills
- Taming the inner critic
- Certificate in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Certificate in Online Counselling Skills
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Child Protection Training Level 1 – 3
- Safeguarding Training Tier 1 – 2
- ASIST Suicide Awareness trained
- Understanding Sexual Offenders
- Working Creatively with Play and Drama
- Teenage Sexual Health Awareness
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
I also write and deliver workshops around emotional intelligence, mindfulness and stress and anxiety reduction.