Dawn McLaughlin
Integrative Counsellor & Psychotherapist
Qualifications
PG Dip Integrative Counselling · Cert Psychodynamic Counselling Skills
Member of
Location
Central St Albans & Radlett · Online sessions available
Sees
Adults · Couples · Young People (11+)
A Bit About Me
I was born and raised in a small rural village in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Some of my happiest memories are of sunny summer days at the beach, family holidays and snowy Christmases, cosy times by the fire, climbing trees in the forest and playing games in the garden with my beloved grandfather. Looking back, I feel grateful to have grown up in simpler times, especially in a world that now seems to move so fast. I’ve come to see the value in everyday joys - meaningful connections, small quiet moments, and time spent in nature - the kinds of things that feel increasingly rare and yet often ground us the most.
I was an imaginative and sensitive child who loved learning and reading, and from a young age I experienced the world deeply - both thoughtfully and emotionally. I’ve always been keenly interested in people, especially those whose lives or experiences were different from my own, and that desire to understand others never left me.
This natural curiosity around people, communication and connection led me to an undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Social Anthropology. While I didn’t go straight into psychotherapy, I always knew I wanted a career that made a meaningful difference in people’s lives. In 2013, my husband and I moved to St Albans for better teaching opportunities for him. It was a big transition, moving away from our family support network. I focused on settling our 5 year old daughter into primary school, making new friends and building a life for us in our new community. I was still finding my way career-wise, while also prioritising being there for my daughter, so I worked in a variety of roles that allowed me the flexibility for school runs.
During these years, I went through several periods of depression and sought therapy for the first time in my life. I experienced some very dark and anxious times, and, if I’m honest, I didn’t really understand how talking about it could help. I slowly discovered that therapy is far more than ‘simply talking’, and, over time, things began to shift. Life started to feel more manageable - I came to understand myself more deeply, develop a kinder inner voice, and recognise that there can be strength in vulnerability.
When my daughter finished primary school, I decided it was time to take a leap of faith and begin training as a therapist. The course was demanding - financially, timewise, and emotionally, but I knew fairly soon that this was exactly where I was meant to be. Years later, as a qualified therapist, I love what I do. I know from experience how transformative therapy can be. It’s a privilege to be trusted with people’s stories and walk alongside them as they find their way.
I’d be honoured to hear your story too.
START HERE
Start with a conversation.
No commitment. No pressure.
A free 15-minute call. No forms, no jargon, no expectations — just an honest chat about whether working together feels right.
Responding within 24 hours · Central St Albans & Online