You've spent years trying to make yourself smaller to fit in.

Masking parts of yourself. Overthinking everything. Feeling like you’re too much, not enough, or somehow different from everyone around you.

Perhaps you're exhausted from trying to be the version of yourself you think you should be.

I'm Laura and I'll help you discover that you make sense—not despite your experiences, but because of them. Together, we'll explore what's shaped you with curiosity and compassion, so you can stop asking what's wrong with you and start feeling like enough, exactly as you are.

Book a free consultation
Portrait of Laura Simmonds, integrative counsellor providing LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming online therapy, smiling with window in the background

Hi, I’m Laura

I’m a Counsellor offering online psychotherapy and counselling to adults across the UK.

Many of us grow up believing there's something wrong with us because of the ways we've had to adapt, cope or survive. This can leave us living with anxiety, self-doubt or feeling disconnected from ourselves.

But our thoughts, emotions and behaviours rarely appear out of nowhere—they make sense in the context of our experiences.

When your experiences begin to make sense, it's easier to stop blaming yourself. You can start to trust yourself more, recognise your needs, develop healthier boundaries and create a life that feels more like your own.

My work is rooted in integrative counselling and informed by evidence-based psychological research, neuroscience, trauma-informed practice, and LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming therapeutic approaches.

Together, we’ll create therapy that's collaborative, compassionate and tailored to who you are.

Read my story

Which sounds like you?

  • A woman with short brown hair sitting outdoors on grass, looking thoughtful with greenery and sunlight in the background.

    I'm LGBTQ+ and I want to work with a therapist who understands

    Whether you're exploring your identity, navigating relationships, or simply looking for a therapist who understands, this is a space where you don't have to explain or edit who you are.

    A place where all parts of you are welcome.

    Explore LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapy→
  • A woman with long brown hair walking in a wooded forest during sunset, wearing a cream-colored sweater and jeans.

    I'm Neurodivergent and I want a counsellor who won't judge me

    You may have spent years wondering why life feels harder than it seems to for everyone else. Together we'll explore your experiences in a way that honours how your mind works.

    Because you make sense.

    Explore Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy→
  • A woman sitting on a blanket on a hillside during sunset, overlooking a scenic landscape with a river and hills.

    I often feel anxious, overwhelmed or struggle with people pleasing

    When you're constantly managing everyone else's needs, it's easy to lose sight of your own. Therapy can help you find a gentler way of living.

    A place to discover that you matter too.

    Explore Anxiety Therapy→

Not sure which feels like the best fit?

That's completely okay. We can talk it through together during a free consultation, and decide what feels right for you.

Ask a question

  • "Laura created a space of deep emotional safety, compassion, and consistency that allowed me to explore difficult truths without fear. Her ability to see beneath the surface, gently challenge when needed, and hold space without judgment made our sessions not only healing but transformative. She helped me re-frame my inner narrative, recognise patterns, and reconnect with a version of myself that feels grounded and whole."

    —Lindsay

  • "Laura creates such a safe and welcoming space in counselling with a genuinely warm and attentive approach. I always felt truly heard and supported and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone seeking a compassionate and caring professional in a space without judgement, especially for those in the LGBTQ+ community."

    —Maria

  • "Not only is Laura a very kind and understanding therapist, she is also well-informed. She has created a very healthy environment, one that allowed me approach her on all sorts of things troubling me and has found no issue adapting to the situation at hand. The sessions have also been insightful for my ADHD as she shared her breadth of knowledge and experience on neuro-divergence, all in a very productive manner."

    —David

  • "Over the time that Laura and I worked together I felt that I could bring anything to Laura. We spoke about current issues and more long term problems that I had. I could see clear and continued improvement throughout this time and honestly feel like I wouldn't be where I am in my life currently without the help of counselling."

    —Faye

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You don't need to prepare anything before therapy or have a clear idea of what's wrong. Many people begin feeling overwhelmed, stuck or unsure where to start. We'll begin counselling wherever feels most comfortable for you.

  • There's no set number of counselling sessions. Some people come to therapy with a specific goal, while others want space to explore things more deeply over time.

    Feeling like you have control over the process is important, so we'll talk together about what you're hoping to get from counselling and regularly review how things are going. This means you always have a say in the therapy process and counselling feels collaborative and tailored to what you need.

    → Read more about how long counselling takes and how we review progress together.

  • The most important part of counselling is finding a therapist you feel comfortable with. You don't need to have everything figured out before you start, and you don't have to do therapy in a particular way.

    The best counselling is collaborative. We'll work together to find an approach that feels right for you, and you can always tell me if something isn't working or you'd like to try something different.

    → Read more about getting the most out of counselling and finding the right therapist.

  • The counselling consultation is a relaxed 15-minute phone consultation designed to help us decide whether we're a good fit to work together. Before we speak, I'll ask you to complete a short questionnaire so I can understand a little about what's brought you to therapy and what's feeling most important to you right now.

    We'll talk about what you're hoping for from counselling, how I work, and whether I'm the right therapist for your needs. There'll also be plenty of time for you to ask any questions you have. It's not a therapy session, and there's absolutely no obligation to book afterwards.

  • Finding the right counsellor matters. If, after our phone consultation, it doesn't feel like the right fit, there's absolutely no pressure to continue. My priority is helping you find the support that feels right for you.

  • A difficult experience of therapy can make it hard to trust another therapist, especially if you felt misunderstood, judged or unable to be yourself. If that's happened to you, it's understandable that you might feel hesitant about trying counselling again.

    My aim is to create a space where you feel safe, listened to and accepted for who you are. Therapy should be collaborative, respectful and tailored to you—not about trying to fit you into someone else's idea of who you should be.

If you have a question about counselling or starting therapy that isn't answered here, take a look at my full FAQ page or get in touch using the contact form. It's completely normal to have lots of questions before starting therapy, and I'm always happy to help.

Get in touch
Hand-drawn orange sun with a circular center and radiating lines on a black background.

Ready to take the next step?

You don't need to have everything figured out before you get in touch. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or wondering whether therapy could help, a free 15-minute consultation gives us the chance to talk about what you're looking for, answer any questions you have, and see whether we're the right fit to work together.

Book a free consultation
A minimalist illustration of a olive branch with elongated leaves.

I’m committed to making therapy accessible for clients with disabilities and/or who are neurodiverse and will collaborate with you to adapt how we work so our sessions are safe and accessible.

I work with people of all genders and respect your chosen name, pronouns and expression of your gender identity.

I am committed to working in a culturally sensitive and inclusive way. This includes acknowledging the impact systemic racism, inequality and exclusion have on mental health, especially for people from the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disabilities. And I am committed to the process of learning, as well as unlearning, beliefs and values informed by, but not limited to, racism, queerphobia, ageism and ableism.

Above all, I aim to provide you with a safe place where we can explore all the facets of your identity that make you uniquely you, including your race, gender, sexuality and disability.

Read the Blog

Blog
When the Words Disappear - Why coming out can feel harder than you expected
When the Words Disappear - Why coming out can feel harder than you expected

Does coming out feel harder than you expected? Learn why the words sometimes disappear and why it makes sense if they do.

Why It’s Hard To Say No
Why It’s Hard To Say No

For so many of us, helping others feels as natural as breathing and we can find ourselves always saying yes. Until we hit a wall of exhaustion or even anger. But anger is our nervous system’s way of telling us something is wrong. So what does it need us to know?

How do I make the most out of counselling and how long does it take?
How do I make the most out of counselling and how long does it take?

If you’ve been thinking about starting counselling but you’re feeling unsure, this post is for you. Find out more about how to make the most of counselling and how long therapy takes.