"Recovery begins with embracing our pain and taking the risk to share it with others" John Bradshaw
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
Welcome, I hope I can help in your journey to feeling more you again. I know how scary and confusing it can be to look for a counsellor and to start on a counselling journey and I hope I can put you at ease.
I am a fully qualified and insured psychotherapeutic counsellor and a member of The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and a member of The Association of Christian Counsellors, which means I follow both of their ethical guidelines for working safely, additionally I benefit from their continuous training so I am up to date with everything in the world of counselling and psychotherapy.
I am aim to offer you a safe, supportive and non judgemental space to help you explore your current difficulties whatever they may be. Nothing is out of bounds with me, I will never be shocked and I can hold your emotions as we explore together.
My counselling training enabled me to study different psychotherapy modalities such as psychodynamic theory, Gestalt theory, Transactional anyalsis, Person- centred theory and Third wave CBT to name a few. However, I believe the relationship we form is one of the most important aspects to helping you work through your difficulties and I welcome challenges and questions from you so you can feel safe with me.
Additionally there is never any pressure to talk about anything that feels uncomfortable, but I am here if and when you do want to work on the uncomfortable parts of your life, sometimes this can take time and that is normal.
I aim to offer equal amounts of empathy, support and gentle challenge depending on what you are going through and what is appropriate.
Please know you will never bore me, I love talking deeply and will go down any rabbit hole you want to go down and will sit with you whilst you process.
I am a naturally dynamic and creative person and a lover of nature, so I draw on these things, if they also resonate with you too. I also offer sessions walking outside in the woodlands, please let me know if this is something that appeals to you. It can help if you don't like eye contact or what to benefit from more nature and exercise whilst counselling.
In order to help you delve deeper we can work with art, metaphore, dreams, empty chair work, movement, breath work and inner child work including letter writing.
I am a trained volunteer with NACOA - the national association of children of alcoholics. I have a special interest in helping family members who have been affected by their loved ones alcoholism and drug addictions and helping those navigating dysfunctional family dynamics in the past and present.
I have experience working with those who have suffered from the long term effects of childhood trauma no matter how big or small.
Training:
Integrative Therapeutic Counselling Diploma , Spurgeon's College London.
Additional training:
The Link Centre - Trans-actional Analysis 101 training.
Various other training modules in childhood trauma and inner child work and shame with Caroline Spring, dysfunctional family dynamics, anxiety, spiritual abuse, grief, loss and neurodiversity with various training providers such as PESI. I have also have trained to be a children's counsellor with Place2be and I work at primary schools counselling children aged 5-11 years using art, sand and play therapy. I currently don't work privately with children under 16.
I don't disclose a lot about my life as your therapy sessions are about you, but full disclosure, I am a Christian, my spirituality is a part of me, however I fully accept you and your own unique spiritual beliefs/faith, whatever they may or may not be. There is never any judgement or assumptions from me. First and foremost, I am your counsellor and therefore don't I bring my own faith, opinions and beliefs into the counselling room. However we can explore your spiritual beliefs and what they mean to you in your life.
Before training to be a counsellor, I worked in magazine publishing, but since I was a teenager I had a desire to work as a counsellor as I love deep conversations, helping others, discussing the meaning of life. I feel great empathy for others going through a hard time, having suffered my own difficulties; growing with difficult family dynamics, loss, addictions, divorce, illness and neurodiversity to name a few life experiences!
I understand how scary it is to initially reach out for therapy having been there myself, but please know you are worth being listened to and supported no matter how big or small you feel your problems to be and you are worth the investment in yourself.
SERVICES
IN PERSON BROMLEY, SEVENOAKS, ONLINE OR TELEPHONE
Initial call/video call 15-20 mins free of charge. Please email me to arrange a time that suits us.
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First sessions are 60 minutes as we go through a questionnaire in session and then all sessions are 50 minute long going forwards with an investment of £60 per session, paid in advance, on booking.
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Longer 75 minute sessions can be booked if you would like longer to process something or to add some extra mindfulness and breathwork at the end to ground, these are priced at £80 per session
Sessions can be online, face to face, on the telephone or a walk and talk session in Sevenoaks, depending on availability and your requirements.
I have a limited number of lower cost sessions for those not earning, please get in touch to see if I have any slots available.
Contact me to schedule your first appointment. Let’s work together to better help you manage your life’s journey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions
HOW LONG WILL THE PROCESS TAKE?
This is hard to answer as some clients get what they need from 6-10 sessions, but others find weekly or fortnightly longer term work more beneficial. We are all unique and every persons counselling journey is different.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
Please contact me and we can work our a mutually agreeable time to arrange a free phone call or video call and we can go from there.
HOW MUCH ARE THE SESSIONS AND HOW LONG DO THEY LAST?
My sessions are 50 minutes which is the standard counselling "hour" that most counsellors offer.
I charge £60 per session which should please be paid before the session begins via bank transfer. Please note rates are reviewed each January and I will let you know if they are increasing.
If you require longer sessions I can offer 75min sessions at £80 per session. This is helpful when you feel you want to go a bit deeper or if you would like to do more breathwork and mindfulness at the end of a session.
IS IT REALLY ALL CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes, I am a member of the BACP and follow their ethical guidelines on confidential note taking. All your details and information is kept securely and not shared with anyone. Everything you tell me is 100% confidential, I will not speak to your doctor or any family members or anyone else without your permission. The only time I might talk to you about speaking to someone else, like a doctor or a family member etc, is if you are in serious danger or if you think someone is going to physically harm you, but we would do this collaboratively.
WILL YOU GIVE ME ADVICE?
In a nutshell, no I won't give you advice. I believe that a good counsellor should never give advice as the answer lies within you. I will however help you find the confidence to trust your own instincts, which can be a long process, but that is okay and will help you in the long term, not just the short term
I AM ON ANTI-DEPRESSANTS, IS THIS OK OR WILL YOU TELL ME TO COME OFF THEM?
It is fine to be on anti-depressants and also come to counselling, I would never tell you to come off anti-depressants, I do believe they can be helpful, especially in combination with counselling.
I suggest keeping in close contact with you GP about your dose and letting them know you are doing counselling. Never come off anti-depressants immediately, this should be discussed with your GP and done under their guidance gradually.
Brene Brown
"If we share our story with someone who shows us empathy and understanding, shame cannot survive"