Liza Boswell is an accredited registrant member of the NCPS (MNCPS Acc.) and a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), providing professional therapy in Stockport, Manchester, and online across the UK and Europe. With a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, a Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology from the Open University and over 30 years of real-world experience, Liza offers compassionate, integrative counselling for self-worth, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship issues, anger and family estrangement. She specialises in men's mental health, menopause, self-worth and supporting estranged adult children, bringing both professional expertise and personal understanding of living with addiction and emotional healing.
How Did I Become a Counsellor?
About Liza Boswell . Counsellor in Stockport, Manchester & Online
I’m Liza, a qualified, ethical, and compassionate counsellor based in Stockport, offering both face-to-face therapy in Stockport and Manchester as well as online counselling sessions across the UK. I bring not only professional training but decades of real-life experience to my therapeutic practice.
My journey began at 18 when I started working for Travis Perkins, at a time when women in builders merchants were rare. I later spent over 20 years in management roles with City Plumbing, until I made the decision to step back into a part-time role, allowing me to retrain in a profession I was truly passionate about.
While working part-time, I volunteered with SHOUT, a national mental health text service, alongside studying for a Psychology degree with the Open University. I later completed almost four years of counselling training, with clinical placements at a Cancer charity and South Manchester Centre for Counselling.
A Safe, Inclusive Space for All
I offer an inclusive, neuro affirming space for everyone, regardless of background, identity, or life experience. Whether you're local to Stockport, Manchester, or joining me from elsewhere via online therapy, you’ll always be met with empathy and respect.
At Elbee Counselling I offer therapy that fits your life, your pace and your needs.
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Liza on a swing in Nazare, Portugal
Why Counselling?
Why I Chose to Become a Counsellor – My Personal Journey
The honest answer? Because counselling helped me, in ways I never imagined it could.
I’m the daughter of an alcoholic mother, but I didn’t fully understand the impact that had on me until I reached my thirties. For most of my life, I felt broken. I struggled with feelings of being unloved, disconnected, and constantly on edge in friendships and relationships. I couldn’t explain why I felt so different, why I felt so alone.
Often, the only place I felt truly understood was through music, connecting to lyrics that seemed to say what I couldn’t, that felt like they understood me.
I made choices that didn’t serve me. I accepted poor treatment. I didn’t believe I deserved more.
But everything began to change when I started counselling.
Through therapy, I started to work through my feelings, identify the source of my pain and the resulting behaviours, and I slowly began to heal. I was able to connect the dots between my childhood and my adult behaviour. Over time, the weight began to lift. I discovered I wasn’t broken. I was healing. I learned what it meant to set boundaries, to put myself first, and to experience what life felt like with self-worth and clarity.
Today, I like to think of myself as being beautifully broken, not in pieces, but shaped by my experiences, and proud of the growth I’ve made.
My personal experience shapes the way I work as a counsellor. I understand how hard that first step can be, and I honour the courage it takes to reach out for help. I also know that healing is possible.
Book a free, no obligation, 15-minute consultation and find out how counselling can help you too.
Areas of specialisation
With both professional training and lived experience, I specialise in supporting people with:
Men's Mental Health
Having worked in male-dominated industries for over 30 years, I understand the unique pressures men face and the barriers that prevent them from seeking help. I provide a safe, judgement-free space for men struggling with grief, anger, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
Family Estrangement
As someone with personal experience of family estrangement, I offer specialised support for estranged adult children. I understand the complex emotions of guilt, grief, anger, and isolation. Your autonomy is always respected, your life, your choice, your healing journey.
Anxiety and Stress Management
Supporting individuals overwhelmed by worry, panic attacks, and daily anxiety that impacts quality of life and relationships.
Depression and Low Mood
Helping people navigate persistent sadness, hopelessness, and the feeling of being stuck or unable to move forward.
Grief and Loss
Providing compassionate support through bereavement, loss of a pet, relationship endings, and life transitions, including complicated grief.
Trauma Recovery
Working with adults processing painful past experiences, childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and the lasting impact of growing up in dysfunctional families.
Relationship Issues
Supporting individuals with communication difficulties, family conflicts, codependency, and rebuilding healthy relationship patterns.
Self-Esteem and Identity
Helping people rebuild confidence, set boundaries, and develop self-worth after difficult experiences or relationship patterns.
Menopause and Life Transitions
Supporting individuals through health diagnoses, menopause, career changes, and other significant life adjustments.
My Counselling Approach
My Counselling Approach
I practice integrative counselling, which means I draw from different therapeutic approaches to meet your unique needs:
Person-Centred Counselling . This is the foundation of our work together. You have the autonomy in our sessions and decide what you want to bring and speak about. Whilst I provide a safe, warm, non judgemental space where you can explore your feelings at your own pace. I'll never tell you what to do or give you unsolicited advice.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - When it feels helpful, we can explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT techniques can be particularly useful for managing anxiety, challenging negative thought patterns, and developing practical coping strategies.
Transactional Analysis (TA) - One of my favourites for understanding how we interact with others. This approach helps us understand relationship patterns, communication styles, and how past experiences influence present behaviours. It can be particularly valuable for exploring family dynamics and recurring patterns.
My style is down to earth, compassionate, human and real. I believe in meeting you exactly where you are, with no judgement or pressure, just genuine human to human connection and support. Having experienced my own healing journey through therapy, I understand how hard that first step is, and I honour the courage it takes to reach out for help.
Professional Qualifications & Memberships?
Professional Qualifications & Memberships
Memberships
- ✓ Accredited Registrant Member - NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society)
- ✓ Registered Member - BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Education:
- ✓ Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology, Open University
- ✓ Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- ✓ Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- ✓ Level 2 Counselling Concepts
Clinical Experience:
- ✓ Integrative Counsellor - Elbee Counselling
- ✓ Volunteer - SHOUT (National Mental Health Text Service)
- ✓ Clinical Placement - South Manchester Centre for Counselling
Specialised Training:
- ✓ Cultural Competence Training
- ✓ Autism Awareness
- ✓ Conflict Resolution
- ✓ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- ✓ Dementia Awareness
- ✓ Child & Adult Safeguarding (Level 1)
- ✓ Preventing Radicalisation
I'm committed to ongoing continuous professional development to ensure I provide the highest quality, ethical counselling support.
Questions About Liza's Background.
Have more questions? Visit our complete FAQ page for detailed information about counselling at Elbee Counselling.
What qualifications does Liza Boswell have?
I'm an Accredited Registrant Member of the NCPS (MNCPS Acc.) and Registered Member of the BACP (MBACP). I hold a Diploma of Higher Education in Psychology from the Open University, a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and have completed extensive specialised training in areas including cancer support, autism awareness, and conflict resolution.
Does Liza have personal experience with therapy?
Yes. I understand the counselling journey from both sides, as a client and as a counsellor. My own therapy experience helped me to process childhood, family addiction, and low self-worth, as well as how I behave within relationships. This personal journey deeply informs my empathetic, judgemental approach and my belief that healing is truly possible.
What makes Liza's counselling approach different?
I combine professional training with over 30 years of real world experience in male dominated industries, volunteering with mental health crisis services, and my own healing journey. I offer a down to earth, inclusive, neuro affirming space where you can be yourself without judgement. I understand what it's like to struggle, and I genuinely believe in your ability to heal and grow.