HELLO AND WELCOME

AN INTEGRATIVE, WHOLE-PERSON APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH

I am Lizzy Oakley, an Integrative Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Holistic Coach, Hypnotherapist and Reiki Practitioner, with over a decade of experience working in private practice. My work is grounded in the understanding that mental health is rarely isolated, simple, or singular.

People do not arrive with one diagnosis, one symptom, or one neatly defined issue. They arrive with interconnected emotional, psychological, physical, relational, and nervous system experiences, often shaped by trauma, chronic stress, neurodivergence, illness, or long-term overwhelm.

My role is to work with the whole picture.


THE SCOPE OF MY WORK

I work across the full spectrum of mental health and emotional wellbeing. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Anxiety and panic
• Depression and low mood
• Trauma, PTSD and complex trauma
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Identity, self-worth and self-concept
• Relationship and attachment difficulties
• Neurodivergence (ADHD and Autism)
• Chronic illness, pain and fatigue-related conditions
• Burnout, stress and nervous system overload

Many of the people I work with do not fit neatly into diagnostic boxes. My work focuses on understanding how everything intersects, rather than narrowing focus prematurely.


SPECIALIST EXPERIENCE: BPD / EUPD

One of my key areas of expertise is working with individuals who identify with, or have been diagnosed with, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) / Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).

I work from a non-stigmatising, trauma-informed perspective. BPD is understood as an adaptive response to relational trauma, emotional invalidation, and nervous system dysregulation, rather than a character flaw.

My work in this area includes:
• Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
• Managing intense emotional swings
• Relationship instability and fear of abandonment
• Impulsivity and crisis cycles
• Building a stable sense of self and identity

I am fully trained in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to Level 3 and use DBT-informed approaches flexibly, adapting skills to the individual rather than forcing rigid frameworks.


CHRONIC ILLNESS, FIBROMYALGIA & MIND–BODY WORK

I also have extensive experience supporting individuals living with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, long-term pain conditions, and invisible illness.

Mental and physical health are deeply interconnected in these contexts. Chronic illness affects emotional wellbeing, identity, relationships, nervous system regulation, and trauma responses.

My approach bridges psychological support with pacing, nervous system regulation, self-compassion, and acceptance-based work, supporting clients to rebuild a workable relationship with their bodies and lives.


TRAUMA-INFORMED AND NEURODIVERGENT-AFFIRMING PRACTICE

All of my work is trauma-informed. This means:
• Safety and stabilisation come before exploration
• Work is paced according to capacity, not expectation
• The nervous system is always considered
• Therapy is collaborative, not directive

I am also neurodivergent-affirming. ADHD and Autism are not treated as problems to fix, but as differences requiring understanding, adaptation, and respect.


AN INTEGRATIVE WAY OF WORKING

I do not work from a single modality.

Instead, I blend therapeutic approaches depending on what is needed, when it is needed, and how it can be tolerated. This may include:
• Integrative counselling and psychotherapy
• DBT-informed skills work
• Trauma-stabilisation approaches
• Mindfulness and grounding
• Somatic and nervous system regulation
• Hypnotherapy (where appropriate)
• Reiki as complementary, consent-led support

The approach is always intentional, ethical, and adapted — never random.


PATHWAYS INTO THERAPY AT BLUE AMBER

To make accessing support clearer and more accessible, I offer defined pathways into therapy, coaching, and integrative work through Blue Amber. These pathways are designed to help individuals find the level and type of support that best fits their current needs, capacity, and goals.

I encourage you to explore the rest of my website to learn more about the different pathways available and the full scope of what I offer, including counselling and psychotherapy, holistic coaching, complementary therapies, DBT-informed work, and the Blue Amber Method.


WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WORK WITH ME

Working with me is honest, grounded, and containing. The work is practical where needed, reflective where useful, and always paced to avoid overwhelm.

I do not offer quick fixes. I offer depth, understanding, structure, and support for people who want to make sense of themselves and move forward in a way that genuinely fits them.
 

Contact Information

Blue Amber Counselling-Lizzy Oakley