Dr Lara Lopes de Jesus 

Chartered Counselling Psychologist

As a practitioner, I have worked in a variety of settings including the NHS (primary and secondary care), private and non-governmental. I have over 10 years experience working with people who have experienced a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, chronic and acute physical illness, and complex trauma. I see the quality of the relationship as the most important component of psychological therapy, and the process as a powerful way to empower you to live a better life.

I adopt an integrative approach, which allows me to tailor my knowledge and experience in a flexible manner to meet your individual needs. My practice is informed mainly by psychodynamic theories, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). We are complex beings, and bring unique needs, hopes, and challenges to therapy. Thus, I believe it is unlikely that any single specific therapeutic approach and treatment is adequate for all clients in all situations.

I appreciate contacting a therapist can be a hard step to take, and I will aim to create a safe space for you to work through the issues that are important to you.

Lara has a special interest and experience working with a number of concerns including:

  • Anxiety

  • Anxiety - Stress

  • Anxiety - Generalised (GAD)

  • Anxiety - Health

  • Panic / Panic Attacks

  • Anxiety - Performance

  • Anxiety - Separation

  • Anxiety - Fears of abandonment

  • Anxiety - Social

  • Depression - Low Mood

  • Depression - Major

  • Depression - Seasonal Affective Disorder

  • Emotional Regulation

  • Family Issues - Blended families

  • Family Issues - Conflict

  • Grief / Bereavement / Loss

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Health conditions - Acute / Long Term

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Physical health issues

  • Chronic illness

  • Attachment Problems

  • Life transitions

  • Relationship - Attachment issues

  • Relationship - Codependency

  • Relationship - Communication difficulties

  • Relationship - Doubt in relationship

  • Relationship - Infidelity, affairs & betrayals

  • Relationship - Intimacy

  • Relationship - Separation & Divorce

  • Trauma - Childhood Trauma

  • Trauma - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Trauma - Complex PTSD

  • Trauma - Road Traffic Accidents

  • Work - General

  • Work - Bullying

  • Work - Redundancy

  • Work - Stress

Lara can also work with the following problems:

  • Anger

  • Anxiety - Phobias

  • Body Image Problems

  • Chronic Fatigue / ME

  • Pain management

  • Perfectionism

  • Sleep - Problems

  • Sleep - Insomnia

Lara works with:

  • Adults (19-65 Years)

  • Elderly (65+ Years)


Models of practice Lara is very experienced in the use of:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

  • Couples Therapy

  • Systemic Couples Therapy

  • Integrative Therapy

  • Interpersonal therapy

  • Mindful Based Cognitive Therapy

  • Person-centred therapy

  • Psychodynamic therapy

Models of practice Lara is also trained to use in her practice:

  • Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

Lara’s background & training

HCPC registered professional

  • Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) number: PYL33230

  • BSc in Psychology - London South Bank University

  • PsychD Counselling Psychology - University of Roehampton

  • Introduction to CFT - The Compassionate Mind Foundation

  • Foundations of Systemic Practice Working with Couples and Families

  • Prudence Skynner Family & Couple Therapy Clinic

  • Clinical Supervision University of Hertfordshire

Languages spoken fluently:

  • English

  • Portuguese

Feedback about therapy with Lara.

" Thank you so much for your help. You were were there when I needed you. You put my feelings into words when I couldn't. You were insightful, finding patterns in my behaviour and reactions, identifying them verbally and prompting me to so so too. You have guided me to become better equipped for life, and I hope to carry this moving forward."

" Words are not enough to say how much I appreciate your total commitment in helping me pull through my time of hardship with my health and wellbeing. You were very caring, compassionate and supported me in a professional manner. "

"Thank you so much for all the work you have done with me during our sessions. It has been helpful to me to use the strategies and 'toolbox' in all areas of my life to support my wellbeing."

"Thank you so much for helping me with some of my difficulties, and helping me see things in a different way."

"Thank you so much for listening, suggesting and generally helping me to see a different way of looking at things."

 

 

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