[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.lurdes-hope.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/richmond2.jpg” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” bottom_divider_color=”#FFFFFF”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.66)” custom_padding=”35px|15px|35px|15px|true|true” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#9d9d02″ divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”200px” max_width=”200px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_id=”body” _builder_version=”4.9.1″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Hi, I\u2019m Lurdes. When you come for counselling, we\u2019ll talk about you, but I\u2019m sure you\u2019d like to know a little bit about me, too.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#9d9d02″ divider_weight=”3px” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”200px” max_width=”200px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]I grew up in Portugal and moved to the UK in 1993, so I know what it’s like to feel like an outsider. Initially, I worked in office jobs and used my language skills to retrain as an interpreter. Since then, I\u2019ve worked as an interpreter for organisations such as the Metropolitan Police Service and Her Majesty’s Court Service, often helping people who have been dealing with incredibly challenging situations in their lives.<\/p>\n
For years, I was a high achiever and a perfectionist, constantly doing a million things at the speed of light.<\/p>\n
Everything changed for me when I ruptured a ligament and cartilage in my knee, meaning I was unable to walk and needed reconstructive surgery. Unfortunately, I reacted badly to the pain medication and my recovery was longer than expected and very painful.<\/p>\n
Being disabled made me feel invisible, isolated and useless. Now, I\u2019m able to walk again but I still suffer with pain and I can\u2019t do the sports and activities that I used to love.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sharing this with you so you\u2019ll know that I understand how pain \u2013 both physical and emotional \u2013 can impact on you. I\u2019ve learned how to readjust my life, manage my feelings and develop resilience.<\/p>\n
I believe this helps me to be more than just a sounding board in our counselling sessions. I bring empathy, support and kindness to the room as we discuss whatever difficulties you may be facing.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.lurdes-hope.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/surrey.jpg” alt=”About Me” title_text=”About Me” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset3″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.lurdes-hope.uk\/contact\/” button_text=”Contact Lurdes” button_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|2em||2em|false|true” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5f5fa”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#9d9d02″ divider_weight=”3px” admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”200px” max_width=”200px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”]I’m an Accredited, registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I have a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Integrative) and have completed Compassion Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Training at Reading University, an Introductory Transactional Analysis course at the Metanoia Institute and an Introductory Imago Couple Counselling course, amongst other training.<\/p>\n
In addition to this, I have a BA and a MA in Languages, Literatures and Translation and Interpreting.<\/p>\n
My work as a counsellor has been rich and varied. I\u2019ve worked for the NHS, at the prestigious University of Roehampton, at a bereavement agency and in private practice.<\/p>\n
This means that I’m experienced in supporting adults of all ages, whether you’re 18 and at university, or over 50 and dealing with the issues that can affect us all in middle age.<\/p>\n
Now, I offer Integrative counselling in English and Portuguese, and I understand French, too.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019d like to find out more about therapy with me or book a session in my counselling room in Kew, Surrey or over Skype, please contact me. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/www.lurdes-hope.uk\/contact\/” button_text=”Contact Lurdes” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|2em||2em|false|true” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
About MeHi, I\u2019m Lurdes. When you come for counselling, we\u2019ll talk about you, but I\u2019m sure you\u2019d like to know a little bit about me, too.My BackgroundI grew up in Portugal and moved to the UK in 1993, so I know what it’s like to feel like an outsider. Initially, I worked in office jobs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_aioseo_title":"","_aioseo_description":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-562","page","type-page","status-publish"],"yoast_head":"\n