About me
Perhaps you're the one everyone relies on.
You're juggling work, motherhood, caring for others, relationships, or simply the endless demands of everyday life. From the outside, you seem to be coping, but inside you're exhausted.
You might feel anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or disconnected from yourself. Maybe you've become so used to putting everyone else's needs first that you're no longer sure what you need anymore.
Or perhaps you've tried therapy before and left feeling unheard, misunderstood, or like you only ever talked about what was happening on the surface without getting to the root of it.
Many of the women I work with have spent years being the strong one. They often tell me they feel guilty for struggling because, on paper, life looks "fine."
If you're longing for somewhere you can finally put everything down for an hour, you're in the right place.
I'm Emma, an Integrative Humanistic Counsellor, and I offer a warm, compassionate space where you don't have to hold it all together. You don't need to know exactly what's wrong or have the right words. We simply begin with where you are.
I'm a registered member of the NCPS and work within their professional ethical framework.
Who I work with:
I work with women who are experiencing:
- Anxiety, overwhelm or burnout
- The emotional load of motherhood or caring for others
- Difficult emotions that feel confusing or hard to manage
- Low self-esteem or a loss of confidence
- Feeling stuck, disconnected or unsure of who they are
- Life transitions, changing relationships or shifting identities
- Previous experiences of therapy that didn't feel helpful
Therapy offers a space where you don't have to minimise your feelings or carry them alone.
My approach
I believe that therapy isn't about fixing you—because you aren't broken.
It's about understanding yourself with greater compassion.
Together we'll explore the experiences, relationships and patterns that have shaped the way you relate to yourself and others.
As your understanding grows, so too can your ability to make different choices, respond to difficult emotions with more kindness, and reconnect with the person you are beneath the expectations you've been carrying.
Every client is different, so we can tailor therapy to your individual needs. Where it feels helpful, we can incorporate mindfulness, psycho-education or creative approaches, always working at a pace that feels manageable for you.
At the heart of my work is the therapeutic relationship. I believe meaningful change happens when you feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted.
Therapy may help you to:
- Feel calmer and less overwhelmed, bringing more peace to your life.
- Understand your emotions instead of feeling ruled by them
- Build confidence and self-compassion, leading to greater feelings of self-worth and self-esteem
- Create healthier boundaries without guilt, allowing you to get what you really want from life
- Strengthen your relationships, as you start to receive as much as you give
- Reconnect with your values and sense of self, living more in line with your purpose
- Feel more like yourself again
A calm space to breathe
Alongside face-to-face counselling in Canterbury and Folkestone, on Tuesday afternoons I offer sessions from a peaceful yurt in a beautiful nature-based setting.
Many women tell me that simply stepping into this quiet space feels like taking a deep breath. Surrounded by nature, away from the pressures of everyday life, therapy can become an opportunity to slow down, reflect and reconnect. If you would like to, we can also incorporate mindfulness and nature into our work together.
Taking the first step
Reaching out can feel daunting, especially if you've spent a long time telling yourself you should just cope.
You don't have to do that with me.
If something in my profile resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. You're welcome to email or text to ask about availability or any questions you may have. I aim to respond within 24 hours, and there's no obligation to commit. We can have a chat to see whether working together feels like the right fit.
Training, qualifications & experience
Supporting Women
As an integrative humanistic counsellor, I work with women who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or carrying more than they should have to on their own. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, burnout, low self-esteem, the impact of trauma, or you're simply trying to work out who you are underneath everyone else's expectations, counselling can give you the space to pause and focus on you.
I've spent years working in mental health services, often supporting people at crisis point following the impact of trauma or challenging life experiences. Again and again, I saw how much difference it made when someone finally felt listened to rather than rushed, judged, or passed from one service to another. That's what drew me towards therapy.
I'm also a mum of two tiny humans, so I know how easy it is to put everyone else first and lose sight of your own needs. Outside of work I am often juggling childcare, muddy walks, and where to locate my (inevitably cold) cup of coffee! While every woman's experience is different, I understand the pressure of trying to keep everything going while carrying your own worries in the background.
I don't believe there's a one-size-fits-all approach to counselling. Some people want to sit and talk, others find that harder. I work flexibly, drawing on different approaches and creative tools where they feel helpful, so we can find what works best for you.
Above all, I aim to offer a space where you don't have to have everything figured out. You can come exactly as you are. There isn't a 'right' way to do counselling. You don't have to cry (although there are tissues available if you do!) You don't have to talk for the full 60 minutes. You don't even have to know why you've booked.
We can figure that out together.
Most recent CPD:
I am committed to further study as part of my personal and professional development. Therefore, I regularly undertake further study to enhance my skills and knowledge.
- Working with Eating Disorders (with Harriet Frew)
- Working with the Inner Child
- Trauma-Informed Practice (with Victim Focus)
- Mental Health First Aid (with Nurture Wellbeing)
- Online and Telephone Counselling
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Please contact me to enquire about my lower cost availability.
When I work
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Further information
I work both face-to-face and online. In-person sessions take place on weekdays in Folkestone and Saturdays in Canterbury. Online sessions are available flexibly.
Nature-based work is available on Tuesday afternoons, near Canterbury.
I work with clients on a short or long-term basis, which can be discussed in the assessment session. I offer regular reviews to ensure therapy is focused on your goals and remains effective for you.
My fee is £60 per 60 minute session, with a limited number of lower cost sessions for those in financial need. Please contact me to enquire about these spots.
I have current evening and weekend availability.
Please visit my website to see more about how I work:
https://emmaketleycounselling.com
