I can offer you a grounded and authentic space to explore your thoughts, emotions and behaviours; where you can reflect, recalibrate and recharge your sense of self.
Hello and Welcome
Hello, my name is Kelly. I am a Counsellor registered and accredited with the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). I abide by their ethical framework and am also on the enhanced DBS check update service for child and adult work. I renew my safeguarding training on a regular basis.
I run my own independent practice in Heathfield, East Sussex where I see adults and adolescents experiencing a wide range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, low mood, stress, low self-esteem as well as navigating family and relationship difficulties. I work both long-term, for those that wish to explore more deeply, and shorter-term for those that may wish to focus on specific goals.
Prior to growing my practice, I worked providing long-term therapy for adults and teens for the Horsham and Crawley Counselling Group where I later became Clinical Co-Lead of their Parent, Adolescent and Child Team (PACT), overseeing adolescent assessments and client allocations to Counsellors on the team. I also worked for 3 years as Lead School Counsellor for a college in Battle, East Sussex. Working across different settings has given me a breadth of experience adapting the therapeutic space to suit my clients' needs.
Aside from my client work, I am: Mum to three children; someone who loves: to share time with the people I care about; the expanse of the sea; live music; being creative (even if I don't always finish my projects...). I also love to take time to slow down, appreciate all the little things (and big when they happen). If I can do all these things while drinking coffee, even better!
When and how can counselling help?
Perhaps you feel you've lost your way after encountering a difficult or painful life experience. Or your day-to-day is becoming overwhelming due to anxiety, grief, depression and stress. Or maybe you are carrying a general feeling of not being 'enough'. Together we can explore what's led you to this point, to help you gain a better understanding of the key relationships in your life (including the one you have with yourself) to gain clarity on what's helping you and what's holding you back.
Whilst my training is rooted in a person-centred approach, my learning has broadened over the years into other areas that I feel continue to align with both my original training and my own approach to life and its challenges. In particular, I have a special interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (pronounced 'ACT'), and have focused much of my continuing development in this area. I have found this way of working to be helpful for both adults and teenagers.
As a newer iteration of the possibly better known CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) - ACT offers a fresh, evidence-based approach to feeling more empowered and emotionally resilient. ACT is all about developing psychological flexibility in order to be more present, open and living a values-led, fulfilling life. It can be particularly helpful with:
- Anxiety & Stress
- Depression
- OCD
- Life transitions or feeling stuck
- Perfectionism or low self-esteem
ACT is not about 'fixing' you - I don't believe you are broken. It's not even about getting rid of hard thoughts (because struggling to fight against these takes way too much of your effort and energy). It's about adapting your relationship with your thoughts so that you can make enough space for the good stuff - which only serves to empower you in living a freer and purposeful life.
My Approach
I bring my whole self to my work. I am present and open and will often share parts of me if I feel it will be of use to you or highlight a place where you feel stuck or feel alone. I will always fully engage with you in the therapeutic process.
I deeply consider my clients and the challenges they are facing and I am not easily daunted or shaken by what my clients bring. One of my core values is healthy curiosity and this is how I approach what develops in the counselling room. I remain curious and open about things which seem unlikely and maintain that curiosity even for things which may initially appear obvious.
The therapeutic process is a commitment from me, as your Therapist, to you and the process and also a commitment from you, as the Client, to yourself and our time together.
My Qualifications
These are the nuts and bolts of my training and professional qualifications. I have completed 5 years foundational training to attain the following:
Advanced Specialist Training in Counselling Children and Young People (L5 CPCAB: Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body)
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (L4 CPCAB)
Cert in Counselling Studies (L3 CPCAB)
Cert in Counselling Psychodynamic Skills (Westminster Pastoral Foundation)
ACT for Adolescents (Dr Russ Harris)
ACT for Brief Interventions (Dr Russ Harris)
I am dedicated to my own ongoing learning, not only to meet the professional requirements of my registration but for my own personal development. I believe that in doing this, I am better placed to co-create a solid, therapeutic relationship with you.
Alongside my training, I attended weekly counselling myself. I felt this commitment was as important as the training - to better understand myself before working with my clients and to better understand the process as a client. I value the therapy space enormously and often return as and when I feel I might benefit from the support it gives me. I feel privileged to be able to now offer this space to others.
Fees & FAQs
Adults
Initial exploratory phone call is free to give us an opportunity to establish if I am the right person for your needs and to enable you to ask any questions you may have.
Per 50 min session - £60
I offer in-person sessions from my practice in Heathfield, East Sussex and online counselling across the UK. Whilst online therapy offers flexibility and convenience, it is important you have access to a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable and won't be interrupted.
Whether we meet online or in-person, my approach remains the same in giving you a space you can feel heard and understood.
Young people (13+)
I offer a free pre-meeting for parents/guardians in order for me to gather more details and context of the difficulties your child is facing. This allows you the opportunity to freely express your concerns without causing potential distress to your child. It also gives you a chance to ask any further questions you may have about the counselling process (a pre-meeting is not always necessary, depending on the maturity of your child).
Per 50 min session - £60 (for parents/carers of young people attending, please note there is no waiting room). I do not currently offer online sessions for adolescents.
Sessions take place weekly at a mutually agreed time. Payments are payable by bank transfer and sessions cancelled with 24hrs or less notice are charged at the full session rate.
Providing you with a confidential space is a big part of creating a feeling of safety and trust within sessions. As your Counsellor, I hold this confidentiality for you. There are some exceptions to this which I discuss with you when making our shared agreement in the first session.
For parents/guardians of young people attending: due to the nature of session confidentiality, I do not discuss the content of your child’s sessions with you. There are safeguarding exceptions to this which I will discuss with you prior to working with your child. Your child, on the other hand, can choose whether they want to talk about their sessions. It is advisable to let your child take the lead on how much they wish to share with you.
The number of sessions is unique to each client’s needs. Typically, we will discuss what might be appropriate for you in our first session together and regularly review the sessions to ensure your needs are being met.
Endings are an important part of the process; it is usual to plan for an ending session in order to have an opportunity to acknowledge the changes that take place in ourselves during counselling.
Counselling is an ongoing supportive process and is not a crisis intervention. If you feel you need immediate help, the below organisations can be reached using the following links:
- Getting help in a mental health crisis :: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
- Home - Kooth
- Shout: the UK's free, confidential and 24/7 mental health text service for crisis support | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)
- How to access mental health services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Get in touch
Being a good fit is important. You are dedicating your time, your emotional and financial resources and understandably you want to pick the right person. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how I work. An initial call enables you to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy and whether I am the right therapist for you.
When making a decision, you should consider logistical factors (location, availability) as well as personal factors (my training and whether you feel you could connect with me and my approach). I am always happy to discuss any questions you may have on 07828 955 979.
My therapy practice is located just off Heathfield High Street and I see clients from Heathfield and the surrounding areas including Uckfield, Buxted, Cross in Hand, Mayfield, Horam, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells, Hailsham and Lewes.
"One day or day one; you decide."
Paulo Coelho
What my clients say...
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