About Me

Hi. I’m Dr Laura Vowels. I’m an ICEEFT certified emotionally-focused (EFT) therapist and a junior lecturer/postdoctoral researcher at University of Lausanne, Switzerland. I have published extensively on topics pertaining to romantic relationships and sexual desire and well-being. I have also won multiple awards for my research. I finished my PhD in Psychology from University of Southampton in March 2021. Since finishing my PhD, I relocated to Lausanne, Switzerland and have continued to see couples in my private practice remotely.

I provide introductory trainings for therapists in EFT for families via the EFT International School as well as sex therapy and EFT. I’m also available to provide workshops and trainings for organisations.

Training and qualifications

I began my career working for a charity who offered support for people struggling with serious mental health problems including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, and substance use disorders. I then trained as a low intensity cognitive behavioural therapist (psychological wellbeing practitioner) and worked in the NHS with individuals struggling with common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, phobias and eating disorders.

Later I completed my training as a couple and family therapist in the US. My training involved working with children, young people, couples and families. I have been trained in a range of play therapy methods for children, systemic therapies for couples and families, psychosexual therapy for a range of sexual difficulties and I also received training in the most evidence-based couples therapies including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman method. I have since trained as a certified Emotionally Focused Therapist.

I finished my PhD in Psychology from University of Southampton in March 2021. My research area broadly focuses on close relationships with a specific focus on how partners can feel more safe and secure with each other and help each other achieve their full potential and how couples can navigate instances of sexual desire discrepancy in their relationships. I have published several articles around sex and close relationships and presented at multiple scientific conferences. In May 2019, I received the Sandra Leiblum student research award for the best scientific article of the year, which was titled “Strategies for Mitigating Desire Discrepancy in Long-Term Relationships” and in 2018 I was in the Top 5 best research projects of the International Association for Sex Research for my research on how love and sexual desire impact quality and quantity of sexual experience. I also created the therapeutic program for a sex therapy application Blueheart.

Major qualifications

PhD Psychology, University of Southampton, UK

Certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy, ICEEFT

MSc Family Sciences, Couple and Family Therapy, University of Kentucky, US

Postgraduate certificate Evidence-based psychological practice, University of Exeter, UK

Level 4 Counselling Skills certificate, Cambridge Open College, UK

BSc Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK

Professional memberships

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

Clinical Experience

Relationship and Individual Therapist, Private Practice

Online Counsellor, TherapyChat

Relationship, Family, Youth, and Children’s Counsellor, Relate West Surrey

Relationship and Family Counsellor, Relate Exeter & District

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, ICS Digital Therapies 

Intern Couple and Family Therapist, University of Kentucky Family Center, US

Intern Therapist, Tates Creek High School, US

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Exeter

Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Partnership NHS Trust, Exeter

Mental Health Support Worker, Look Ahead Care and Support, London