Frequently
Asked
Questions
What is Counselling?
Counselling gives you a safe, private space to talk about what’s going on in your life—without judgment. It's a place to feel heard, understood, and supported. You don’t have to have a specific problem to come to therapy. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just need someone to talk to who isn’t a friend or family member.
My role isn’t to give you advice or tell you what to do—I’m here to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and help you explore what’s going on beneath the surface. I’ve been trained to work with different counselling theories and approaches, which means I can tailor our sessions to suit your needs. Whether we’re exploring patterns from the past, focusing on the present, or working toward change, I’ll draw on the right tools and perspectives to guide you.
Together, we’ll figure things out at a pace that feels right for you.
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A Life-Changing Journey
“Starting counselling was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have had 8 sessions of counselling. I didn’t know exactly what to expect at first, but what I found was a safe, non-judgmental space where I could truly be myself. Each session gave me the opportunity to explore my thoughts and emotions with honesty and courage, guided by a compassionate and understanding counsellor who genuinely cared. Over time, I’ve gained clarity, confidence, and new tools.”
- Anonymous Client -
Where do sessions take place?
You’ve got a few options, depending on what works best for you:
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In-person: I see clients in a cosy, private space in Ashford town centre (Kent). It’s easy to get to by public transport, and there’s nearby parking.
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Online: We can chat over Microsoft Teams. I’ll email you a link before each session—just make sure you’ve got a good internet connection and a quiet, private spot.
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By phone: Prefer not to do video? We can talk over the phone instead. And if signal is a problem, we can try WhatsApp voice calls.
- Hybrid: We might decide that a mixture of face-to-face and remote sessions are more convenient, i.e. if sometimes you have to travel for work but want to keep attending sessions consistently.
If you're unsure what works best for you, we can work this out in an introductory session.
How do I know if counselling is right for me?
If you’re even thinking about counselling, it might be worth exploring. People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons, like:
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Feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed, or stuck (persistently or intermittently over a prolonged period)
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Going through a big change (moving, new job, parenthood, break-up, loss, illness)
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Struggling with relationships—past or present
- For help with understanding childhood events or other past traumas
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Wanting to work on self-confidence or get to know yourself better
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Dealing with something that’s hard to talk about with others
You don’t have to go through it alone. If you're unsure, we can have a chat in an introductory session to see if it feels like the right fit.
What happens in counselling sessions?
The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and talk about how therapy works, including things like confidentiality and what you’d like to get out of it.
After that, sessions are your space to talk about whatever’s on your mind. Sometimes it might feel heavy, sometimes lighter—we’ll go at your pace. I’ll ask questions to help you reflect, and we might use techniques that support you in handling tricky emotions or situations.
Sessions are around 50 minutes long, and I leave a few minutes at the end to check in on how you're feeling and plan next steps.
Safe, Supportive and Empowering
“Counseling sessions with Grace were a safe, supportive, and empowering space designed just for me. I felt I was given the chance to pause, breathe, and be truly heard—without judgment.”
- Anonymous Client -
How many sessions do I need?
It really depends on you and what you're looking for. Some people come for a few weeks, others for years. There’s no pressure either way—we’ll check in regularly to see how things are going and what feels right for you. You’re free to pause or end therapy whenever you feel ready.
As a general guide:
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Short-term counselling - typically ranges from 6 to 10 sessions
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Long-term counselling - often involves 20 or more consecutive sessions
The number of sessions you might find helpful can be influenced by several factors, including:
- the nature of what you’d like to explore
- how deep you’d like to go
- how you respond to therapy
- what’s happening in your life outside of our sessions
What is Person-Centred Therapy?
Person-centred therapy is all about you. It’s based on the idea that you’re the expert on your own life—and with the right support, you can make sense of things and find your own way forward.
In this approach, I won’t direct the conversation or tell you what to talk about. Instead, I’ll offer a warm, non-judgmental space where you can be fully yourself. My role is to listen, understand your experience from your perspective, and create a trusting relationship where you feel safe enough to explore whatever’s on your mind.
This way of working helps you build self-awareness, self-acceptance, and confidence in your own inner voice. It’s gentle but powerful, and often leads to deep personal growth.
What is Transactional Analysis?
Transactional Analysis (or TA for short) is a way of understanding how we think, feel, and behave—especially in relationships with others and with ourselves. It’s based on the idea that we all have three parts within us: the Parent, Adult, and Child. These “ego states” shape how we respond to the world, often without us even realising it.
In therapy, we might use TA to look at patterns in the way you relate to people—like repeating the same kind of conflict, feeling stuck in certain roles, or reacting in ways that don’t feel like “you.” By exploring these patterns, we can begin to understand where they come from and how they’re playing out in your life now.
TA can be a really helpful tool for building self-awareness, improving communication, and making meaningful changes in how you relate to others and yourself.
What is Psychodynamic Therapy?
Psychodynamic counselling is about exploring how your past experiences—especially early relationships—might be influencing how you feel, think, and behave today. Sometimes, things we’ve been through can have a lasting impact, even if we’re not fully aware of it.
This approach helps shine a light on patterns that might be happening just under the surface—like repeating the same kinds of relationship struggles, feeling certain emotions that don’t quite make sense, or reacting strongly to specific situations. Together, we gently explore these patterns and what might be driving them.
It’s not about digging up the past just for the sake of it—but about understanding how your story has shaped you, and using that insight to feel more in control and connected in the present. While it may take time, psychodynamic therapy can lead to lasting personal growth and a deeper understanding of yourself.
Do I have to choose the type of therapy?
No, that's what I'm here for! I work in what's called an 'integrative' way, which means I don’t stick to just one method of counselling. Instead, I bring together different approaches— person-centred therapy, transactional analysis, and psychodynamic counselling—depending on what feels most helpful for you.
Sometimes you might want space to talk and be really heard (which comes from the person-centred side), other times we might notice certain patterns in your relationships (where transactional analysis can help), or you might want to explore how past experiences are shaping how you feel today (which is where psychodynamic work comes in).
It’s not about fitting you into a particular model—it’s about tailoring therapy to you and what you need at the time. We go at your pace, and I’ll always check-in to make sure it feels right for you.
How do we get started?
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, so I try to make the process as simple and comfortable as possible.
First, you’re welcome to get in touch—either by email, WhatsApp, or through my contact form. We can arrange a free, no-pressure introductory call where we chat briefly about what’s bringing you to therapy and what you’re hoping for. It’s also a chance for you to get a feel for how I work and ask any questions.
If it feels like a good fit, we’ll find a time for your first session—either in-person, online, or by phone, whichever you prefer. There’s no pressure to commit long-term; we’ll take it one step at a time.
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