Vanessa Hackney

Hello and welcome

I believe that there are times in our lives when we struggle to cope and make sense of life’s challenges, leading us to feel isolated, overwhelmed and/or ashamed. Talking to a trained, impartial third party, who has your best interests at heart, is sometimes easier than talking to family and friends and can be healing and nurturing. Counselling can help you arrive at a sense of clarity, making it easier to either change, accept or find ways of coping with your situation, promoting a sense of wellbeing. From a personal development perspective, counselling can facilitate increased self-awareness.

I believe that the root of effective therapy is based on the relationship between the client and counsellor and it is therefore, important that you choose a counsellor that you feel comfortable with, so I recommend that you talk to a few and trust your instinct. I have a strong interest in human resilience and wellbeing and it is a joy for me to work in partnership collaboratively with clients and help them to live more resourcefully and with better coping skills.

In today’s culture the importance of attending to our mental health, verses our physical health, whilst becoming more openly discussed, is still a relatively taboo subject.  I believe that it is a strength, not a weakness, to seek help when we need it and understand that it takes courage to enter counselling for the first time. We all have a need for positive regard, love, acceptance, respect and warmth from others, but unfortunately this is usually given conditionally making it difficult for us to feel valued for ourselves.  I would like to offer you the opportunity to talk to me openly in confidence, with the reassurance that I will work empathically with your best interests at heart so that you feel valued, heard and understood. My approach is warm, open and compassionate and my role is to create a safe, non-judgemental, reflective and accepting space to support and empower you.

You are in control of your sessions and I work with a blend of person-centred approach (focusing on you and the changes you want to make) and psychodynamic approach (valuing the relationship between past and present) according to the needs and perspectives of my clients.

My own personal development and wellbeing are important to me, indeed one of the ethical principles which I adhere to, enabling me to remain fit for practice, is self respect, which encompasses self care. It is not selfish or self indulgent to look after our wellbeing - it is an essential element of self respect.

Thank you for taking the time to read my profile.

With best wishes

Vanessa

TESTIMONIALS FROM FORMER CLIENTS

‘I just wanted to say a big thank you for your kind and caring help and support with my bereavement process, amongst other matters!!  I’m not sure where I’d be without our counselling sessions, but I’m certain I’m in a better place.’ - Sophie*

‘Thank you so much for helping me over these recent weeks.  Your support, kindness and encouragement have been invaluable.  I really appreciate it.  I think you’ve made a good choice in your chosen path.'  - Tom*

‘I’ve never opened up and talked to someone about how I was feeling before but I have found it so helpful, thank you.’ - Zenab*

‘Thank you for all your help over the last 12 weeks.  You are very good at what you do.’ - Claire*

*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality

Appointments cost £50 (50 minute session).

Free initial introductory telephone call.

I offer a small number of concessionary rate spaces at £40 - if you believe that you are eligible, please let me know when you first contact me.

My practice is based in Petts Wood with easy on street parking availability. Please telephone or email me to arrange an initial consultation. Thereafter, if you wish to proceed, we can agree a regular weekly time and your counselling session will be available to you for as long as it is helpful.