Andrea Lewis-Coker is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years’ experience of working within counselling and psychology services.

After gaining a first class honours degree in Psychology, Andrea began her diploma in counselling at the University of Chester to become a Person Centred Therapist. Andrea provided short term and long term counselling depending on individual needs. Andrea has worked with individuals with a range of presenting issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, childhood issues, bereavement, stress, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Andrea went on to study at the University of Wolverhampton to become a qualified Chartered Counselling Psychologist. Andrea has worked in a wide variety of clinical settings including Child Adolescent and Mental Health Service (CAMHS), adult primary care and a specialist trauma service.

When Andrea was working as a Principle Psychologist for a private organisation in Manchester, she worked extensively with children’s’ residential homes across the UK. Andrea’s role was to provide assessments and support young people and their teams of staff with regards to their emotional wellbeing and behavioural needs within the residential home, their school and in the community. During this time Andrea worked with a wide variety of issues including social, emotional, behavioural and educational needs, children and parents who had suffered trauma, parents with complex mental health problems, safeguarding issues and organisational dynamics.

Andrea works with a range of client groups such as, children, young people, adults and families. She also works with a number of professionals utilising psychological theory and knowledge to support their practice and development.

Specialist Interests

Andrea has a number of specialist interests including working with looked after children (LAC). Throughout Andrea’s studies she worked with a private fostering organisation as a co-carer for young people which fuelled her desire to work as a Psychologist with LAC within residential and foster care. Within her role as a Principle psychologist she had the opportunity to establish a range of new projects within the health and social care sector, one of which being assisting with the setup of a preparation for a fostering residential home.

Andrea is also an independent panel member for Family Foster Care. This involves Andrea utilising her psychological experience and knowledge to raise issues and contribute to panel discussions when considering foster care applications and reviews.

One of Andrea’s passions is supporting and improving the wellbeing and mental health needs of Black Minority Ethnic (BME) communities. Andrea has worked with third sector organisations providing outreach support and mental health services to the African Caribbean Community. Furthermore, Andrea was commissioned to develop a research project for an independent provider of secure mental health facilities, looking at the provision of psychological services/therapies to BME client groups.