“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
Maya Angelou
About Me
Hi, I’m Louise, and professionally, I wear a few different hats. I am an experienced counsellor, running my own private practice; facilitator of therapeutic support groups for Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) and a seasoned public speaker/story teller/presenter in the equality, diversity and inclusion space.
I spend my life listening, facilitating, speaking, creating and advocating, always with a belief in honest conversation, creativity, and the courage to be fully ourselves. I’m also a mum, wife, friend, artist, avid reader and water lover, and my lived experience as a disabled woman shapes much of who I am and how I work.
“When you can't look on the bright side, I will sit with you in the dark.”
Lewis Carroll
counselling & therapeutic work
At its heart, good counselling and group facilitation is not just about techniques or advice - it’s about the connection between counsellor and client. This relationship creates a safe, respectful, non-judgemental space where individuals can begin to make sense of trauma, loss, pain, disability, mental health struggles and other challenges.
Over the course of two decades, I’ve worked with a diverse range of people, offering a confidential therapeutic space where stories can be told, emotions held, and a path forward gently discovered. Rather than following one set methodology, I work within the integrative model of counselling which draws on different theories and techniques to create a flexible, compassionate, person-centred approach. Whether you are experiencing bereavement, disability or relationship difficulties or you need space to come to terms with emotional, sexual or spiritual abuse, I will work with you to explore your experiences, build resilience, and move toward integration and healing.
As a long-time member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (registration number 374958), I work in line with their ethical framework, ensuring that my practice is grounded in professionalism and safety.
Louise Halling, BA (Hons), Dip.C, MBACP
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”
Martin Luther King
public speaking
& advocacy work
As a speaker, I’ve had the privilege of addressing audiences, both in person and online, across the corporate, public and charity sectors, from as diverse a range as for fashion company Alexander McQueen, to police firearm officers training, charity conferences and guest speaking at a function in the House of Lords.
You might even have heard me on radio programmes and podcasts (most notably for the award-winning BBC Radio 4 Walks like a duck documentary ) or read my words on various webpages, blogs, and print media publications, with a focus on disability, mental health, advocacy and well-being.
By sharing my authentic self in this work - flaws and all - I aim to inspire empathy and understanding, reminding us of the profound impact our own unique narratives can have. In telling real stories with no pretence, I seek to ask how we might each play a part in cultivating a more accepting, equal and compassionate society.
“Nothing about us, without us.”
Disability rights slogan
inclusion & diversity work
My special interest in equality, diversity and inclusion has developed across many years of working with and learning from a diverse range of people from a wide variety of backgrounds. I am dedicated to the ongoing process of learning, growing and evolving my understanding and practise of what it truly means to be unconditionally welcoming and affirming of all individuals and communities, and working with others to do the same.
The sessions and talks I deliver, while professional, aren't polished performances full of spin or the classic 'platform expert instructing novices' dynamic. Instead, they're grounded, honest spaces for shared learning and reflection. Using vulnerability and humour, I weave together stories (my own and those of others), with psychology, inviting us to engage in meaningful dialogue about inclusion and diversity, whilst encouraging us to confront our own unconscious biases and reflect on their origins.
“Louise is a truly engaging and inspirational speaker. Her talk at the House of Lords for Muscular Dystrophy UK Vice Presidents lunch last year left a lasting impact-she brings warmth, clarity, and lived experience to complex topics like mental wellbeing, disability and inclusion.”
Neeru Naik,
Director of Services and Support, MDUK
fees
I believe in being transparent about my fees and offering a range of services that balance accessibility with the sustainability of my work.
Counselling and Therapeutic Services All sessions delivered online via secure video call. Payment via bank transfer.
• One-to-one counselling: £75/hr
• Group therapeutic work: £75/hr
Public Speaking / EDI Awareness Training *Available online or in person.
If you have a speaking or training event that you are interested in me running for you then just send me an email and we can arrange to meet via video call to discuss what you are looking for. If we decide to go ahead, I’ll provide you with a fair quote, based on tiered rates, reflecting the varying resources available across the corporate, public, and charity sectors.
*Please note: for in-person work, travel and accommodation costs may be added depending on location. This is especially important due to access requirements linked to my disability. I’m happy to discuss this on a case-by-case basis.
"Louise has a natural ability to connect with her audience, challenge perceptions, and inspire meaningful reflection and change. In addition to her speaking work, she also facilitates our therapeutic support groups for people living with neuromuscular conditions, bringing empathy, expertise, and real connection to those she supports.”
Neeru Naik,
Director of Services and Support, MDUK
