Amanda Swan

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 moving into more therapeutic supporting roles . Working therapeutically is something that I have always I been able to do easily. Life experience has given me a good foundation to emotionally support people. 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. Being heard and understood can make a significant difference to someone. Having experienced therapy myself as part of my training 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 experience to support you.

I have spent the last 20 years working with people of all ages, who have had all kinds of difficulties to work through. These 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. The areas I specialise in are bereavement, and childhood difficulties/trauma including PTSD and complex PTSD, anxiety and panic attacks. I also work with children 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, and the first room you come to, making it easily accessible. 

• 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).

Introductory Call: Free for up to 20 minutes.

Counselling/Psychotherapy Session: £60 for 50 minutes. 

Couples Counselling/Psychotherapy Session: £70 per session for 50 minutes. 

Young People/Adolescents (13 yrs+) Counselling/Psychotherapy Session: £65 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.