Meet The Member - Lucy Hine of Have A Word
Lucy Hine of have a word
We interviewed our member Lucy of Have A Word to talk about the importance of talking therapy and how she can help.
Hi Lucy, what a pleasure to speak to you today and to introduce you to our community. Can you tell us about yourself and your background?
Sure – this is my book (available on amazon here) that shares a lot about me personally and professionally. “Life itself is a journey. Whether we engage with the process and grow with self-awareness and optimism, the end goal is up to each one of us. Lucy Hine’s entrance into the world was a difficult one but, despite the challenges along the way, she’s never let that stop her. Lucy was born with a rare condition - Hirschsprung Disease and survived against the odds. This book showcases her highs and lows, detailing the career and family she’s built through resilience and optimism. Anyone reading will come away understanding the importance of talking about health in a positive way, and never underestimating what you’re capable of.”
When was Have a Word founded?
It was founded in 2017 and registered in 2018.
What are the key services you offer?
I offer Mental Health Services (Coaching, Therapy and Training) and, ADHD Coaching for adults and young people (15+).
What core values has your company held since it began?
The Have A Word vision is to normalise society’s attitudes and behaviours surrounding Mental Health. Providing excellent Mental Health Training | Coaching and Therapy services, both online and in person to develop confidence and skills to empower yourself and those around you. You deserve the opportunity to feel better and live happier. It is my passion to continue learning different approaches and blending skills to create my own style and way of working with clients - wonderful people like you. I just love meeting people, in many contexts and enjoy finding out more about you so I can find ways of helping, supporting - healing. I believe in creating a simple but effective therapy session for self-exploration in a safe, non-judgemental environment that will work towards equipping a person with helpful tools and strategies to move forward into a healthier and happier way of life.
‘Have a Word’ is a powerful name. What do you hope people take away from hearing it?
That it is important to talk – whether you are having a chat with a friend, or family member or speaking with a trained mental health professional. I believe that talking helps save lives.
What should a client have considered to prepare for an introductory call with you?
Is this the right time for therapy/ coaching? Can I afford a private mental health service? Is there anything else happening in my life that needs more of my attention (e.g. a lawyer, an estate agent, crisis support etc).
Can you advise us as to the structure of your sessions for clients?
There are many reasons you might consider going to private Therapy. Have A Word offers a flexible session availability to suit your schedule. It is my passion to create affordable and convenient sessions within your life - especially if you have difficulty leaving the house or using transport to get to a session. Listening Ears offers an initial FREE consultation, over the telephone to create opportunity for you to ask questions before we begin working together.
It is important that you feel comfortable and ask plenty of questions during an introductory call, to gain trust in the person you are talking to. Getting the most out of the sessions can sometimes feel difficult, but there are positive steps you can take before you begin with, starting with these questions:
Am I ready to explore my thoughts, feelings, and behaviours?
Do I feel able to open up about things that are very personal or hard to talk about?
Is there anything else I need help with first: housing, legal or financial issues?
Some clients feel isolated and have no one else to talk to, but even people with supportive family and friends can find it difficult to talk to loved ones about feeling anxious or depressed. They may find it easier to talk about personal, family or relationship issues with an independent professional Therapist.
Therapy involves a series of formal sessions where the client and I talk about the client’s issues and feelings. Sessions are 50 minutes long and take place at a regular, agreed time in a safe and private place.
Therapy can involve talking about:
Life Events
Feelings and Emotions
Relationships
Ways of Thinking
Patterns of Behaviour
As your Therapist, I will listen, encourage, and empathise but will also challenge your perspective helpfully. This will help you to see issues through a different lens, and perhaps with different opportunities.
Why do you think people hold back from talking about their mental health?
If you know someone has been unwell, don’t be afraid to ask how they are. They might want to talk about it, or they might not. But just letting them know they don’t have to avoid the issue with you is important. Spending time with your loved one lets them know you care and can help you understand what they’re going through. The Have A Word Facebook and Instagram pages encourage people to think more about mental health and the stigma surrounding mental illness.
You actively support certain mental health charities; can you tell us more about your partnership with any in particular?
Clients include - MONZO bank, Princes Trust, St Pauls cathedral, Cambridge University, The Hub, Birdie Care Services, How Wood Primary School, Osborne Clarke, MIND mental health charity, Samaritans, and SASH.
Being the chosen partner for several organisations, providing in-house mental health support is both a privilege and opportunity to create services more readily available to people at work. During COVID I actively supported within The Priory Hospital, on a PICU ward and gained valuable insight to the extent of people challenges.
Volunteering for charities such as mind and Samaritans allows me to work in collaboration to break down the barriers of stigma that we all face within society when talking about our thoughts, feelings, and emotions – most recently this includes a lot of focus surrounding disability and ADHD (neurodiverse communities).
When you’re looking to get away from the daily pressures, where in St. Albans do you most like to visit to enjoy or to relax?
Walking with my dog in the woods, travelling with my friends and family, watching my daughter jump her horse or my son play football. I also like to spend time on my own for 24-48hrs to rest and recharge. Being an empathic person with an ADHD brain, means I am often overwhelmed with my personal life especially (the business of it all and life admin). I find it helpful to take moments for myself to remember all I have achieved in my life so far, remembering who I can ask for support and what I am capable of doing in my future.
After all, we cannot pour from an empty cup.
I enjoy visiting: Cote Brasserie, Prime Steak, The Hub, Sopwell House, The Ivy, Heartwood Forest and Saint and Sinner!