You might find it difficult to talk to someone, even a counsellor, about your deepest concerns but I am glad you are here. Counselling is about you – knowing where you are, how you got there and the choices you can make to change things. Choices that may have seemed impossible before.

Are you feeling anxious, stressed, upset, depressed, overwhelmed? Or perhaps you just have a vague sense that something isn’t right? Struggling along alone? Perhaps you have been bullied, bereaved, hurt? You might be feeling angry, isolated, sad, anxious or even completely numb.

I am a qualified counsellor and a Registered Member of the BACP, working face to face in person in Sittingbourne and online. I offer a non-judgemental, supportive and safe environment to work through your thoughts and feelings to live a life which is more fulfilling for you. I will provide a calm, confidential space and time to help you identify the changes you want to make and develop the skills you need to maintain those changes.

To begin, we would speak briefly on the phone about what you need help with and want from counselling (please see my Privacy Policy on my website for more information). If you then are happy to do so, we will arrange an appointment. If we are unable to work together, for whatever reason, I may be able to recommend someone else who can help you.

At the first appointment, we will discuss what has happened previously in your life and what is happening now. We will talk more about your hopes and goals for counselling, and discuss how many appointments you might like and how often (usually I offer weekly sessions, or you may prefer fortnightly). I offer 6 sessions to start with, but you can choose a different number or change it later – either to have more or fewer sessions if needed – as you wish. You can end counselling whenever you feel ready. It is usually helpful to have at least one last session to tie up any loose ends, but it is your choice.

We will review our work at regular intervals to make sure you are getting what you need. I will not give advice, tell you how to live your life or judge you. Instead, I will help you to think things through (perhaps in very new ways!) and support you as you choose how to move forward.

I specialise in helping people who are anxious (or have anxiety) and/or think poorly of themselves. Poor self-image, low self-esteem and Imposter Syndrome are really difficult to live with. I would like to help you get out of that stuckness become the person you want to be and can be.

I also specialise in helping people with chronic pain and chronic illnesses – particularly CFS/ME, fibromyalgia and hypermobility syndromes. These are very real physical illnesses with numerous debilitating symptoms, but the mental and emotional impacts of living with these conditions can be worked with in counselling. You might have been offered counselling before and been told that your condition is “all in your head”, or that it is somehow your fault. I won’t tell you that – because I know that they are real, physical and very difficult to live with. The emotional and mental impact can be devastating, and then feeds back into making things worse. I want to help you manage your condition as best you can with your limitations, and have the fulfilling life you deserve.

Qualifications:

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills from CPCAB

D171 Introduction to Counselling (equivalent to CPCAB CST-L3, via the Open University)

L4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling (a BACP-accredited course, via InterPsyche – part of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust)

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (recognised by ACTO, via Counselling Tutor)

QLS Level 6 Diploma in Supervision (via Community Counsellor Training (Canterbury))

Some of my CPD and professional experience:

Anxiety (particularly general anxiety disorder and social anxiety)

Lack of confidence

Depression

Bereavement

Stress

Family breakdown / family issues

Work issues

Bullying

Self image and body image

Self esteem

Self harm

Suicidal thoughts & feelings

Working with people on the autistic spectrum

Anger and rage

Living with chronic illness and pain

Disability

Resilience

Imposter Syndrome

Further info

I can be reached by email or phone. Unfortunately, I have found that some email accounts (e.g. Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail) tend to send my emails to spam. I have so far been unable to resolve this, and of course never send unsolicited emails. If you use one of these email addresses and have not received a reply from me within one business day, please check your spam folder. If you phone, I may not be able to answer your call immediately – so please leave a voicemail message if you would like me to call you back. Out of consideration for your privacy, I will not call back if you do not leave a voicemail or text message asking me to. Please ensure you have said your phone number when leaving a voicemail if you would like me to call you. My office hours are on my website.

Therapy Price Starts From:

£45

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Emma Thompson Registered Member MBACP (Accred) T/A Opis Counselling

Emma Thompson Registered Member MBACP (Accred) T/A Opis Counselling

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