This page on most therapist’s websites will address what counselling is and why it helps. I’ve done that too, but before I get to that I want to share a personal story. For me the real value of the work is held in the relationship between therapist and client. How do I know? It’s because I have experienced therapy as a client at various stages in my life, either to help me get through something too difficult for me to carry alone or as part of being an ethical and effective therapist.

When I first went to a therapist I had no idea what I was looking for and I felt terrified at the idea of opening up my life to a complete stranger. In time I realised two precious things which I have carried with me always.

First, if we will only trust our instincts we will invariably find that we connect with the right therapist for us at the right time of our lives.

Second, it is incredibly liberating to be able to tell someone about your innermost life and still feel accepted, free from judgement and heard. The gift of therapy is that it exists specifically for you, yet has no expectation of you. To be relieved of the heavy coat of responsibility for other peoples feelings and expectations can have a remarkable impact on your ability to see things in a way which makes them easier to understand and therefore deal with.

Counselling can help in a wide variety of ways, either in terms of pragmatically addressing a problem or just through the opportunity to talk about it and, in so doing, see things in a clearer way.

I am a fully qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor having completed my training with Distinction. I offer counselling in Kent at locations in Maidstone and Tenterden or online via Skype (not all issues are suitable for Skype work so just contact me if you are unsure). I am a Professional member of The National Counselling Society and abide by their ethical code and articles of professional practice.

Continued Professional Development is both a requirement of ethical counselling and a part of my work. I am constantly inquisitive and always looking for ways to add to my knowledge. I want to make sure that I have as many tools as possible with which to help you construct something more rewarding and sustainable from your life.

Counselling and Psychotherapy are broad terms that cover a range of talking therapies where the client is helped to bring about lasting change in their life. But more importantly, how do you know if it can help you?

I know that the hardest part of getting help is finding the strength to ask for it. That’s why I try to make my practice accessible, flexible and free from confusing or unnecessary terminology and jargon.

So, if you feel you are suffering from;

• Depression
• Addiction
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Relationship problems
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Bereavement

or indeed anything that is standing in the way of you leading the happy and fulfilling life that you would like (and deserve!) then you can benefit from counselling.

People often ask how many sessions they’ll need, and I always tell them that it depends on the person and the problem. I commit to giving you a better idea once we’ve spoken, and the plan we create is our plan, not mine. As a member of The National Counselling Society I am bound by a clear and stringent code of ethics. I will only work with you if I really believe I can help you.

If you think you would benefit from some help then please contact me for an informal chat. You might find its one of the most important things you ever did for yourself.