Amanda Swan
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome to my profile. Please read on to find out more about me and how I work in private practice. My decision to become a counsellor and psychotherapist comes from an interest in psychology, the enjoyment of working with people, and having moved into more therapeutic supporting roles in my career. Working therapeutically is something that I have always I been able to do naturally and therefore somewhat, easily. Life experience has given me a good foundation to emotionally support other people and with my training, I feel both work very well together.
I understand how difficult it can be to look for the right counsellor or psychotherapist. It is important to have someone you trust, who does not judge, who will support you with the issues you bring to each session but also challenge you where appropriate. Being heard and understood can make a so much difference, especially if this has not been your experience in the past . Having experienced therapy myself as part of my training, on going development and as a client, I understand what a big step seeking a therapist can be.
Therapy may be something you have never done before and I understand how this can bring about feelings of anxiety on top of the issues you are already bringing. That is why, with each session, I aim to provide a calm, safe, and confidential place for you to explore your thoughts and feelings, without any expectation. I will support and guide you to a place that is more comfortable, where you can begin to feel more confident and self assured.
I am here to listen with empathy, and I do this by using an integrative and flexible approach of working. Working integratively means I can use a number of different therapeutic skills, theoretical models, and life experience to support you.
I have spent the last 25 years working with people of all ages, who have had all kinds of difficulties to work through. These difficulties have included anxiety, depression, PTSD (including complex PTSD/trauma, childhood adversity/trauma). I have worked in schools, in adult and youth offending, Victim Support and in community programs implementing social, educational and psychological interventions, and as a teacher/lecturer continuing to support student through their studies. The areas I specialise in are bereavement, and childhood difficulties/trauma including PTSD and complex PTSD, hypnosis, and anxiety and panic attacks. I also work with young people through play and introducing psycho-education.
If you would like to contact me, the first thing you can do is email, text or call me to arrange a phone call so we can speak and see how that feels in relation to working together. If I cannot answer my phone you can leave a message with your name and number, and I will get back to you. I am often with clients but feel reassured that I will reply.
I am in the rural village of Chartham, on the St Augustine site, near Canterbury. It is a quiet and very peaceful location. My therapy room is in my home, where the room is private and confidential, making it easily accessible.
Training, qualifications & experience
- July 2024 - Research: How hypnosis may or may not influence emotional regulation. PhD application in progress.
- May to July 2024 - University of Kent & University of Essex Research Collaboration on Artists Books as a Therapeutic Tool: Consultant Counsellor & Psychotherapist.
- Student Mentor at the University of Kent
- February 2024 CHBP - Certified Hypnotic Birthing Practitioner
- 2021 Ad. Dip. Psy. C - Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- 2019-2021 - Bereavement & Loss Support Worker with Cruse Bereavement Care
- 2018 - Working Directly with Trauma
- 2015 - Lecturer in Psychology at Canterbury College
- 2017 Cert Hyp CS in Hypnotherapy & Counselling Skills
- Associate Lecturer in Psychology at Canterbury Christchurch University
- 2012 - MA in Criminology - University of Kent
- 2016 - TA with SEN children in an SEN school
- 2011 - Restorative Justice Conferencing
- 2009 BSc in Psychology (Accredited by the British Psychological Society) - University of Kent
- 2007 COSA (Circles of Support and Accountability) - Adult Offending
- Youth Offending Panel Support Worker with Kent County Council
Member organisations
school 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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy 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
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
- Holistic approach
- Hypnotherapy/hypnosis
- Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT)
- Attachment-based therapy
- Sandplay therapy
- Relaxation and working with the physical body as well as the mind
- Breathing techniques including mindfulness and meditation
- Bereavement and loss
- Small group bereavement work (please enquire about groups coming up).
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Introductory Call: Free for up to 20 minutes.
Counselling/Psychotherapy Session: £50 for 50 minutes.
Couples Counselling/Psychotherapy Session: £70 per session for 50 minutes.
Young People/Adolescents (13 yrs+) Counselling/Psychotherapy Session: £60 for 50 minutes.
Clinical Hypnotherapy Session: £75 for 60 minutes.
One:One Hypnobirthing Session with a Birth Partner (easibirthing method): £95 for 1.5 hours (block bookings are advisable in preparation for birth).
A sliding scale can be offered in some circumstances, please enquire.
When I work
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Availability changes all of the time so it is best to contact me, some flexibility is possible.
