Helping people has always been an important part of my life. I like how helping people can come in many forms, whether that is through counselling – a talking therapy; through reiki – energy healing; or art – creativity! All of these healing and expressive approaches are a part of me, and while at times I have tried to compartmentalise these, or focus on only one of them, I finally realised that I’ve found so much benefit for myself in accessing a range of different types of help and creative activities, that I have the ability to provide that for others too.

Counselling, reiki and art are holistic helpers within themselves, but by being able to offer more than one form of therapy, I hope to be able to reach more people and make therapeutic spaces of different kinds available to more people with different needs. What works for one person won’t always work for someone else, and one type of therapy is rarely the answer to all of life’s ills.

I love how counselling can help people to become more comfortable with who they are, bringing more self acceptance, self-compassion, and autonomy.

I love how reiki can bring healing, more energy, relaxation and clear energetic blockages.

I love how art can bring us out of ourselves and shine our light in a unique, colourful way.

Each of these has in common all the great things that can come as a result of engaging in your chosen therapy – whether it be more fulfilling relationships, or making changes at home or work, or, perhaps most importantly, feeling more peaceful and content about your life.

Over the course of my training and career, I have developed a counselling approach which is gentle, accepting, exploratory and engaging. I have been described by many people as a calming person to be around, and feedback from my clients has shown that this comes across in our work too.

As well as running my private practice, Laura Hughes Therapies (formerly Ember Counselling), I work with employee assistance programmes to provide counselling support to local people and organisations. I have previously worked as a counsellor with the TASHA Foundation’s London-based online counselling helpline, Droitwich Foodbank, HOW College, a local wellbeing centre, the Stroke Association and Cruse Bereavement Care. I was a volunteer with Worcester Samaritans for several years, supporting callers and fellow volunteers. Over the years, I have gained valuable experience with organisations such as the Primrose Hospice and the community mental health team.

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