Kate Jones

Sharing innermost thoughts, feelings and experiences with a professional counsellor can help make sense of difficulties, give us more understanding about who we are, and help us to move forward in life more confidently and positively.

An effective counsellor will provide insight, validation and acceptance. This can improve the relationship you have with yourself and others. 

It's natural to not want to burden family and friends, or you may not have anyone to really talk to. This can make us feel alone and problems often feel larger than they are. Whether you feel depressed, anxious, sad, angry, stressed, out of control or numb, talking through things often makes a difference. 

Entering counselling can feel daunting but talking to someone who is neutral and independent of your situation is actually often easier. An objective perspective can help you to work out what you need to, and help you see things more clearly.

I offer a trustworthy, supportive, judgement free space, where you will feel comfortable and safe. My aim is for you to feel understood in a warm friendly environment. I listen with kindness and understanding, respecting your feelings. My priority is to support you to be truly honest in working through difficulties, building self confidence, awareness and self acceptance. We can work through overwhelming thoughts, feelings and problems together.

I offer counselling support to young people from 11 years old, all adults and seniors. I work in a confidential private practice setting.

I am trained as a Humanistic counsellor, and am influenced by the Humanistic approaches to counselling. This means our time together will focus on you and what you want to talk about in each session.

The first session
The first session is an assessment session, a chance to meet each other and see if we would like to work together. In this session I will take some personal details and ask questions to understand your needs and get to know you. We will establish what you want to get from counselling and how we may work together. You can ask me any questions so you feel fully informed, including how counselling works if this is new to you. I make a few notes in this session although this is usually the only time notes are taken.

Counselling young people
Young people experience many pressures in today's world. Navigating their lives at a time of huge physical, mental and emotional transition from child to adult can be distressing, confusing and overwhelming. Young people typically experience emotional vulnerability and relationship difficulties at this important life stage.

I support young people in making sense of this challenging time. Positive validation of strengths and possibilities develops their understanding of who they are and promotes self confidence, acceptance and esteem. I ensure counselling work is age appropriate and adapted to each young person to honour their individual stage of maturity. Alongside conversation we may use play, creative media, practical techniques and strategies.

I endeavour to establish a friendly, compassionate, honest, non-judgemental environment so young people feel at ease to talk about whatever is troubling them. I have experience of working with various problems like low self esteem, depression and anxiety.

I am happy to discuss individual situations and problems with parents and carers who feel concerned for their young person and would like further information or support. Please feel free to contact me to discuss how sessions may be structured to support your child, helping you feel fully informed.

Experience
I have experience helping many people from all backgrounds, presenting with a wide range of issues as highlighted below.
As well as working in private practice, I have specialist experience of working within specific settings across Kent.
This includes working in primary and secondary schools working with all ages and issues, including supporting looked-after children in foster placements.                                                                                                                     I have also worked in a Kent hospice, supporting people through personal illness, with bereaved family members or those supporting loved ones with a terminal diagnosis.                                                                            My experience of working inside Women's refuges across Kent has equipped me to work effectively with domestic abuse in all its forms and guises, and the impact this has on women's self esteem and mental health. I have worked within a Kent based clinic specialising in Drug and Alcohol addiction, working with clients experiencing struggles and difficulties following periods of abstinence.

Making Contact.                                                                                         When considering whether to start counselling, you may naturally have questions and concerns. I am happy to discuss any of these by phone, text or email beforehand to help you feel more informed before making an appointment.

To book an introductory session please email, leave a text message or phone me. I do have my phone switched off when I am counselling, so please leave a message and I will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

I am flexible regarding the number or frequency of counselling sessions you wish to have. In my experience weekly counselling sessions is beneficial to begin with, however I am happy to be guided by your requirements and personal situation so you remain in control. We can review your requirements at regular intervals and if things need to change.

Qualifications
As a qualified professional, I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I can be found on their website, and work to their ethical code of conduct. I have an enhanced DBS check and am fully insured.

Testimonials

”I had not had counselling before, and the first thing that struck me on meeting Kate was how warm and personable she was. Kate provided me a space for me which always felt safe and honest, and I was able to explore my feelings without feeling judged or dismissed, both when we were together in person and while working remotely. My first experience of counselling could not have been any better - Thanks Kate.

Amanda - student 

”Thank you for everything you have done over the years to help my daughter through her anxieties, it has been so appreciated and has made a huge difference not just to her but to all of us - things seem much more hopeful now whereas in the past we had some desperate moments, but this seems far away these days.”

Emily - mother of 12 year old client

”Kate I am so grateful to you. I genuinely felt lighter and happier after each session. You have made a difference to me, and I hope I don’t ever need to return to counselling, but if I did I wouldn’t hesitate to contact you again. Many thanks.”

Dominic

“I would recommend Kate to anyone wishing to find a good counsellor. She is an amazing lady and has helped me through some very distressing times always being so gentle and accepting. When I felt like I had no one to really talk to, she was always reliably there, helping me to see things in a different perspective and I now feel so much more confident and positive.”

Claire

Initial assessment session £50 (All adults and young people)

All subsequent sessions £50 (All adults and young people.)

All sessions are 50 minutes in length.

Lower fee for OAPs aged 65 +, and those on a low income, please enquire.

Counselling students £40 - This reduced rate is for adults who are currently enrolled on a level 4 diploma Counselling course which requires personal therapy as part of the course requirements. This reduced rate is for the duration of the course and ends once the course is completed or the student ceases attending.

Payment is due the day before the booked counselling session either in cash or bank transfer via mobile/internet banking. Account details for bank transfer are provided prior to the first session.

Central discreet location which is easily accessible.

Please be aware I am unable to start earlier than an agreed appointment time, or extend the session time if you are late arriving. Therefore arriving for each appointment at the agreed time is important and most appreciated. Many thanks.

For counselling young people, I do not currently have a waiting area for parents and carers to wait whilst the young person has their counselling session. This means parents and carers dropping off and collecting young people at the start and end of each session. Parents and carers are welcomed in to see the counselling room for the young person’s first session, to ensure everyone feels comfortable with all arrangements. There is a pub nearby where parents and carers can purchase food, tea and coffee. Alternatively they are welcome to wait in their vehicle outside.