Laura Joanknecht BSc (Hons) Psych, MBACP Acc, EMDR Practitioner
About me
I am an integrative relational counsellor, supervisor and trainer. I believe counselling is about empowering you to make choices and enabling you to make sense of some of the many confusing emotions that you may be feeling which sometimes can seem overwhelming.
In my opinion the best form of counselling is one where you can feel supported and heard in a confidential space. Where you can feel the warmth and regard of another human being and can begin to learn to listen to your own needs and find ways of meeting these.
This means that the process of counselling is internalised and gives the client tools to take with them when they no longer need the counselling space. My passion is enabling people to develop a stronger sense of themselves.
My practice is in Maidstone and is set up to be a welcoming space. It is important to me that the environment helps you to begin to relax and to feel more at ease to reflect on some of your more difficult thoughts and feelings.
I came into counselling after a really difficult time in my life, and found that the support of a therapist really helped me make sense of my experiences and some of the contributory factors to my life as it was then. I hope that I can offer you a similar service.
Training, qualifications & experience
BACP Accredited/NCS Accredited
Diploma in Person Centred Counselling
BSc (Hons) Psych
PG Certificate in Supervision
PG Certificate in Education
Certificate in Management
EMDR Practitioner
Diploma in Sex Addiction
Psychosexual Training
Diploma in Couples and Family Therapy
I have been practicing as a counsellor since 1996 and as a trainer since 1998, supervisor since 2001. As well as working as a counsellor of individuals and couples in private practice, I have also gained experience working in schools, in youth agencies, for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society and I have been head of counselling in a rape and sexual abuse support centre for 10 years. I have recently become very interested in working with how the body holds trauma and so I have developed an integrative style which considers all the ways in which a person can be more in touch with their real self enabling them to make more informed choices.
Much of my work with individuals and couples is around psychosexual issues. This can feel like a really delicate area of your life to work on. I am aware of the importance of aiming to put you at ease as we look at some of your concerns and anxieties around this sensitive subject.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists
COSRT is the UK’s leading membership organisation for therapists specialising in sexual and relationship issues.
All members must abide by their Code of Ethics and the performance of accredited members is regularly monitored.
National Counselling Society
The National Counselling Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Psychosexual Issues
LGBT
Baby bereavement
Young people
Relationship issues
Leaving Cults
Therapies offered
Fees
Therapy is an investment in yourself and living your life in a way which feels fulfilling.
Couples £90 Individuals £65
Group supervision - depending on number in group
Some concessionary places
EMDR for a two hour session £150.00
I have gained a lot of experience during my years as a therapist and so I set my fees to reflect this. However, I believe therapy should be accessible for everyone, so if you feel drawn to my profile but feel that you are genuinely unable to afford sessions, please email me for a discussion about a reduced fee.
Further information
Parking available
Maidstone East is the most local station and I work 20 minutes walk away from the station
Fully insured
Accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Accredited with The National Counselling Society
Member of ATSAC
REGISTERED Member of COSRT
BUPA Registered Practitioner https://finder.bupa.co.uk/go/ms_laura_joanknecht
EMDR Practitioner
Aviva Registered Practitioner
STOPSo Approved Therapist
