Heartwood Counselling
Helping you move forward, one step at a time
Person-Centred Counselling in Sittingbourne & Online
Counselling in Sittingbourne and surrounding areas, including the Isle of Sheppey, Faversham, Maidstone, Gillingham and Rainham. Online counselling is also available.
Compassionate Support
Personal Growth
Authentic Connection
Hope for Tomorrow
Experienced Person-Centred Counsellor
BACP member
Welcome, and thank you for visiting Heartwood Counselling.
The person I am today isn't the person I was. This is because I have found the strength with support to confront my past. It's not easy, I understand that. I know what its like to feel stuck and frustrated when life just holds you back and everyday holds its challenges. Not knowing what to do or where to go.
I've experienced these feelings through the struggles of being a single parent, experienced isolation, financial and relationship difficulties. There were days when I felt worthless, when I felt I could do nothing right and so disconnected from myself that I had little self-esteem, no confidence and very little belief in myself. With this came so many fears, doubts and worries about who I was and whether I was good enough. Perhaps you recognise some of these feelings yourself. You don't have to face them alone.
BACP Member Number 01026855
My journey is what has led me to become a therapist. Understanding who I truly am, with all my strengths and weaknesses, and finding acceptance is what has given me the desire and strength to support others to find their way through their own fog.
Counselling can offer a safe, confidential space to explore what you are experiencing, begin to understand with greater compassion, and take steps towards feeling more connected, confident and hopeful again. Stop carrying this all on your own. Sometimes being truly heard is where change begins.
Lets explore together in finding your clearer path.
My Counselling Approach
Maybe you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lost or emotionally exhausted. Perhaps you're carrying the weight of past experiences, struggling in your relationships or simply feeling like you've lost sight of who you are. You might have spent so long looking after everyone else that you've forgotten how to look after yourself. Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to face it alone. Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting. You may be wondering whether your problems are "big enough" or worrying about opening up to someone you don't know. Those feelings are completely understandable. At Heartwood Counselling, I offer a warm, confidential, and accepting space where you can be yourself without fear of judgement. What I bring to our work together is a calm, attentive and compassionate presence. I will listen carefully to what you bring, and just as importantly, to what may be difficult to put into words. I will offer a space to speak freely, without interruption or judgement, and will respond with empathy, honesty and genuine care. My aim is to help you feel safe enough to be open and supported enough to feel truly heard as you explore what is happening in your life. I believe that every person has the capacity to grow, and find their own way forward when they feel truly heard and accepted. My role is to walk alongside you, helping you reconnect with your inner strength and discover the answers that are already within you. You deserve a space where your thoughts and feelings matter. A space where you can pause, breath and begin to understand yourself with kindness.
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
Counselling offers a safe and welcoming space where you can talk with someone who will listen with care, understanding and empathy - without judgement. Within the therapy space, you can express your thoughts and feelings openly, knowing that what you share will be treated with respect and kept in confidence.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
Relationship difficulties, anxiety or panic attacks, mood changes or depression - many of us experience challenges in everyday life that can feel difficult to manage. Counselling can provide you with the tools to better understand what may be contributing to these difficulties - and help you move towards managing them or finding ways to overcome them.
MAKE BETTER, HEALTHIER NEW CHOICES
Working together I aim to support you in gaining a greater insight into the difficulties and challenges you are facing. The aim being that with more clarity you will be more able to move forward.
CONTACT ME
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on +44 7723092105 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
My Location
Counselling in Sittingbourne
I work from my private practice in Sittingbourne, Kent, and welcome clients from Sittingbourne and the surrounding areas, including the Isle of Sheppey, Faversham, Maidstone, Gillingham and Rainham. I also offer online counselling for clients who prefer to access support from the comfort of their own home.
counselling SESSIONS & FEES
Your journey can start with a free 20 minute telephone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to discuss your needs and what you would like to get out of therapy. I will also explain how my counselling services work regarding session time, cancellation policy etc.
FEES
Sessions 50 minutes £55
Available weekdays 8am - 8pm
Saturdays 8am - 1pm Depending on Availability
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What's the difference between counselling and therapy?
Counselling is often a helpful way to address a current problem; something that can be explored and - hopefully - resolved over a limited number of sessions. Over a period of several weeks, you can develop a clearer understanding of the issue and begin to see a way forward. Therapy often refers to work that goes a little deeper, focusing on more significant life issues and difficulties that may have a deeper impact on a person’s life. Therapy can often involve a longer-term approach, meaning the number of sessions may be open-ended.
Which approach is most suitable will depend on the individual and the difficulties they are experiencing. In some situations, counselling can work well as an ongoing, longer-term option - while therapy may help resolve an issue within just a few sessions.
How long will I need to have counselling?
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
Can I bring a friend or relative with me?
Usually I am asked this question by people who are nervous about entering into counselling, or when they are looking for support in coming to see a therapist. This anxiety is understandable, but a key aspect of therapy is that you should feel free to talk about any issues you feel are important to you. Having someone else with you who can be connected those issues makes this opening-up more difficult, so for this reason I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.