Lora Fitton

I'm a qualified person-centred counsellor offering a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space to talk openly about what's going on for you. You might be feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck, struggling with confidence or self-worth, or simply finding life difficult to navigate at the moment. Many of the people I work with are high-achieving and used to being the ones others rely on — which can make it harder to admit when things don't feel right, or to ask for help in the first place.

I work particularly with adults experiencing anxiety and overwhelm, career and life transitions, and the emotional impact of ADHD — including how it can shape self-esteem, relationships and everyday life. You don't need an ADHD diagnosis to explore experiences that may be connected to it, and you don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked across law, teaching and personal training. These experiences gave me a broad understanding of the pressures and expectations that can shape adult life, and shaped my particular interest in the gap between how someone appears to be coping and how they may actually be experiencing life underneath.

Together, we can explore what you're experiencing, understand your patterns and make sense of what you need. Rather than a passive, sit-back approach, I take an active and engaged role — asking questions, reflecting on what I notice, and, where it's helpful, gently challenging patterns or perspectives that may be keeping you stuck. This isn't about giving you a quick fix or telling you what to do; it's about working alongside you at your own pace, supporting you to develop greater self-understanding, confidence and clarity.

I currently offer online counselling sessions for adults across the UK, and in-person sessions in Saddleworth and Shaw.

I hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and practise as a qualified person-centred counsellor. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and gained clinical experience through placements with Mind in Rochdale and 1Point Bolton.

Alongside my counselling training, I have a background in education, law and personal training, including experience as a primary school teacher. These different areas of experience have given me a broad understanding of the pressures, expectations and transitions that can shape adult life - including the pressure of being high-achieving or seen as someone who copes well, while feeling very different underneath.

My counselling training developed my understanding of therapeutic theory, ethical practice, boundaries, confidentiality and the importance of a safe, respectful therapeutic relationship. I am committed to ongoing professional development and to providing thoughtful, active and engaged support to the people I work with.

I work with adults across three core areas: anxiety and overwhelm, career and life transitions, and ADHD and self-understanding.

Anxiety and overwhelm: You might look like you're coping on the outside - getting through work, keeping up with responsibilities, carrying on as normal - while internally things feel very different. Your mind may rarely switch off. You may be overthinking, putting pressure on yourself, or feeling exhausted, irritable or stuck without quite being able to explain why.

Career and life transitions: A new job, career change, relationship, move, or simply reaching a point where life no longer feels quite right can leave you questioning what comes next. Even positive changes can bring uncertainty - you may find yourself wondering who you are now, or struggling to adjust to a version of life you didn't expect.

ADHD and self-understanding: ADHD can affect far more than attention and organisation - it can shape emotions, relationships, work, confidence and everyday life. You don't need a diagnosis to explore experiences that may be connected to it; you may already have one, be considering an assessment, or simply recognise yourself in some of these experiences.

Across all three areas, you don't need a specific diagnosis or clearly defined problem to start counselling. Sometimes we simply know that something doesn't feel right, and having space to explore that can be valuable in itself. Many of the people I work with are used to being the ones who cope, hold things together, or support everyone else - which can make it harder to recognise, or admit, when things feel difficult underneath.

My approach is person-centred, meaning I see you as the expert in your own life. But that doesn't mean I sit back and simply reflect things back to you. I take an active and engaged role - asking questions, reflecting on what I notice, and, where it's helpful, gently challenging patterns or perspectives that may be keeping you stuck. Other therapeutic techniques and perspectives may also be incorporated where appropriate.

In practice, this means sessions rarely feel like silence waiting to be filled. I'll ask about specific moments, notice patterns you might not have named yourself, and check in on what's actually landing for you - rather than leaving you to structure the hour alone. At the same time, you remain fully in control of the direction and pace of the work; I'm led by what matters most to you, not by a fixed agenda.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked across law, teaching and personal training. Those experiences gave me a genuine, practical understanding of pressure, performance and the expectations people carry - particularly for those used to holding things together for everyone else. It's shaped how I work: with real engagement rather than distance, and without assuming that "coping well" on the outside tells the whole story.

I aim to create a therapeutic relationship built on empathy, acceptance, honesty and trust, where you can feel safe to be yourself without judgement. I believe meaningful change is more likely when we feel genuinely heard and understood, so our sessions are collaborative and guided by what feels most important to you - while I stay actively involved in helping you get there.

You don't need to arrive with the "right" words or know exactly what you want to talk about. We can start wherever you are and work from it together.