My name is K L Aspden (known as Louisa).  I am an experienced counsellor accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy,  MBACP (Snr, Accred).

Essentially my philosophy of counselling is Person Centred. This means I believe that each person has the resources to bring about growth and healing given the right conditions.

In my practice, I combine the Person-Centred Approach with creative methods where appropriate, as this can greatly enhance the effectiveness of our work. Art music, sand tray, drama, movement, play or imaginative writing may help clients make discoveries and express that which is difficult to voice.

My background
I began my career by training as an infant teacher and became interested in child development. This has proved very useful in understanding how people’s difficulties originate.

In 1998 I opened my private practice – Creative Counselling, after qualifying as a therapist. As well as counselling adults and children, my private work has included working with adults with learning disabilities and autistic children, running creative groups, workshops and retreats for adults.

I am absolutely convinced of the healing power of creativity and pursue various creative activities for my own well-being. One of my personal favourites is writing. I use journalling, poetry and story making as well as writing for others.  In 2015 my children’s self help book was published. ‘Help! I’ve Got An Alarm Bell Going Off In My Head!‘ was written to help children understand the physiology of anxiety and provide them with tools to help. For more information about the book and details of my author journey, go to: http://www.klaspden.com

In March 2019 a second book in this series was released: Help! My Feelings are too Big! for children who had a difficult start.

Additional Experience

• Hospice – ten years, initially as a bereavement counsellor and later supporting patients and their families
• Adult Psychiatry – eight years, running groups (art, music, creative writing, relaxation), individual work using Person-Centred Art Therapy
• Education – ten years as a schools’ therapist using therapeutic play and counselling, including work with children with attachment issues, those on the autistic spectrum and other special needs
• Higher Education – tutor for the Creativity Module on Counselling BSc.

My qualifications

• Bachelor of Education (1978)
• Diploma in Counselling (1998)
• Certificate in Person Centred Art Therapy (1998)
• Certificate in Counselling Children and Adolescents (2003)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play (2007) PTUK
• Somatic Trauma Therapy – 12 day training by Babette Rothschild (2010)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Drama and Movement Therapy – The Sesame Approach (2012)
• AEDP Level 2 (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy) – this is a powerfully relational and effective approach, aimed at ‘undoing aloneness’ (2020)

Creative Counselling is based in the Roselands area of Eastbourne.

Email: klouisaaspden@gmail.com

I am fully insured and adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework which you can find at:

BACP web address: http://www.bacp.co.uk