The Counselling Service is led by the Counselling Coordinator who manages a small team of volunteer counsellors and student counsellors. Referrals are contacted by our Counselling Coordinator who will talk you through the referral and assessment process, including being matched with one of our counsellors.
As the Counselling Coordinator, I manage all the incoming referrals, counselling assessments and allocation of carers to the appropriate volunteer counsellor. I oversee all of the volunteer counsellors and student counsellors, ensuring that they all feel well supported and that they have access to CPD and training to develop their professional skills.
I trained as a Dramatherapist in 2012 since then I have worked in a number of settings, including schools, a secure unit, a rehabilitation centre, in community bereavement care and I also have my own private practice. I specialise in neurodiversity and childhood trauma.
I was previously a teacher and worked in both mainstream and special education. I worked in a number of schools, across the country while I travelled with my husband as a military spouse. We settled just south of York in 2018 and I am very happy to be back in Yorkshire!
I have volunteered in the counselling service since 2022, and I have been working at York Carers Centre since 2017. My roles have included being a Carer Support Worker, Lead for the Adult Team and I am currently the Deputy CEO. Working alongside carers and having had caring roles in my personal life has helped me gain insight and understanding of the highs and lows experienced when caring for family and friends.
I am a humanistic counsellor which means I work to offer a safe, accepting, non-judgemental space so together we can explore you; where you are now, what is happening in your life and what you would like us to focus on. Creating a trusting relationship so you feel comfortable talking with me is key to the sessions being helpful for you and this is what my focus will be when we meet. I have experience of supporting adults and young adults with issues including identity, anxiety, self-esteem, bereavement, non-death loss, anticipatory grief, and relating to others.
My name is Lauren Figg, and I am a volunteer counsellor with York Carers Centre, where I have been providing person-centred support to unpaid carers for over a year now.
My therapeutic practice is uniquely informed by a professional background in archaeology and retail, specifically working with professional traders at Screwfix.
My own life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at a young age, and learning to live with this life altering condition has opened new doors to me I couldn’t have imagined ten years ago. I hope that I can use my personal experiences to support others and accompany them on their own paths of self-discovery.
I am a student counsellor, soon to qualify, and proud to be part of the counselling team at York Carers Centre. My work is grounded in both professional training and experiential learning, bringing compassion, authenticity, and real-world understanding into the counselling space.
I have particular experience in poverty, parenting teenagers, caring roles, and substance misuse and recovery. These are areas I understand both professionally and personally, which allows me to offer empathetic, non-judgmental support to those navigating complex and often overwhelming circumstances.
As a neurodivergent practitioner and part of the LGBTQ community, I am committed to creating inclusive, accessible spaces where people feel safe to explore their experiences at their own pace. My special interests include supporting individuals and families affected by substance misuse and recovery, those balancing caring responsibilities, and parents managing the challenges of raising teenagers under pressure.
I aim to provide a calm, reflective space where carers feel heard, validated, and supported in strengthening their resilience and wellbeing
I am a student counsellor nearing the end of my training. I have a professional background in healthcare plus experience supporting socially isolated and anxious new parents, helping them navigate the challenges that can arise during early parenthood.
I have a strong interest in issues impacting women, including identity and role changes, motherhood, relationships, anxiety, and the pressures that can come with balancing multiple roles.
My approach is warm, reflective, and collaborative. I aim to create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients feel heard and understood. I believe there is a connection between mental and physical health and the importance of holistic support. I work alongside clients to explore their experiences and support change at a pace that feels right for them.
My name is Joanne - most people call me Jo. I am a trainee counsellor, soon to qualify. I am quite new to York Carers and am very much looking forward to helping support unpaid carers. Most of my counselling experience so far has been supporting people who have experienced bereavement, which I plan to continue, alongside my work with York Carers.
I have a particular interest in supporting unpaid carers. I feel this comes from a combination of my previous work experience, in the NHS and other roles, and my own personal experience. I have seen how care givers can find it difficult to ask for help for themselves, and I am glad to support the message that it is okay to say that you are struggling and need support.
My focus is on providing a calm space for someone to talk about what they need to talk about, without judgement, or expectations.
I am very interested in how being in nature can help to ground and soothe us, and I hope, in the future, to combine nature and counselling as a way of helping others
I have been a volunteer counsellor with York Carers since September 2025. I am a trainee relationship counsellor currently training with the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT), and I have worked in the mental health field for five years. I believe that our relationships, whether with partners, family members, or friends, are central to our wellbeing, and I know that these connections can feel especially hard during times of stress, conflict, or change.
My approach is not one size fits all. I draw on a blend of therapeutic styles to fit your unique circumstances, and I work reflexively and collaboratively. That means I listen deeply to what matters to you, and we explore patterns, share perspectives, and work towards positive change together. I can support a wide range of relationship dynamics, including romantic partnerships, sibling relationships, parents and children, and wider family connections. I can also help with feeling stuck, struggling to communicate, or trying to rebuild trust after a difficult period.
My particular interest is working with neurodivergent individuals, helping people explore identity and gender, and supporting non typical relationship types such as polyamory and ethical non monogamy. My role is not to take sides but to create a calm, confidential space where everyone feels heard.
