Emma Thompson
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
You’re the kind of person who gets things done. People rely on you. You hold yourself to high standards. Usually, you meet them… but it’s exhausting.
Maybe you’re struggling with perfectionism, impostor syndrome, or burnout. Perhaps it feels like no matter how much you achieve, it’s never good enough - and part of you is worn out from holding it all together.
In counselling with me you don’t have to ‘perform’ or prove anything. We will explore and seek to understand what’s going on underneath the surface - the pressure, the self-doubt, the inner critic - with warmth, compassion, and even a little humour where it helps.
Alongside this, I also support clients dealing with:
- Chronic pain and chronic illness, including the emotional toll of living in a body that doesn’t do what you wish it would or what others expect
- Anxiety, overthinking, and inner restlessness
- Stressful or overwhelming life circumstances such as job issues, family tensions, or big transitions
You might not be sure exactly what you need, only that you’re tired of pushing through and pretending it’s fine.
I am a qualified counsellor and an Accredited Member of the BACP, working face to face in Kent and online. Please contact me via phone call, text message or email, and then when you are ready we will arrange a free phone or Zoom call to discuss what you want from counselling and how I can help (see my website for more information). I have been running my private practice for over 10 years, and welcome any questions you have about my practice and style.
Unfortunately I have found my emails sometimes go to people's spam boxes - please check there if you have contacted me and not received a reply within one business day.
At the first appointment, we will take an overview of what has happened previously in your life and what is happening now as well as your hopes and ideal outcomes for counselling. I usually suggest booking 6 sessions to start with but you can choose a different number or change it later - either to have more or fewer sessions if needed - as meets your needs, and we will review this regularly.
I initially trained in an Integrative model (Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Cognitive & Existential), but my practice now is deeply influenced by my training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). This approach helps people who are self-critical or anxious to develop a kinder, clearer, more balanced relationship with themselves that is based on understanding rather than judgment.
Sessions are collaborative, thoughtful, and paced to suit you. If you’d like to explore working together, please get in touch.
Training, qualifications & experience
Relevant qualifications:
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB)
- D171 Introduction to Counselling (Open University) - equivalent to CPCAB CST-L3
- L4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling (InterPsyche, part of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust)
- Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (Counselling Tutor)
- QLS Level 6 Diploma in Supervision (Community Counsellor Training, Canterbury)
A sample of my CPD training / professional experience:
- Anxiety (particularly general anxiety disorder and social anxiety)
- Lack of confidence
- Burnout
- Depression
- Bereavement
- Stress
- Family breakdown / family issues
- Work issues
- Bullying
- Self image and body image
- Self esteem
- Self harm
- Suicidal thoughts & feelings
- Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity
- Living with chronic illness and pain
- Disability
- Resilience
- Imposter Syndrome
- Trauma
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Neurodivergence
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.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
- Chronic illness
- Chronic pain
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
Additional information
My fee for counselling is £45 per 50-minute session. I offer a free short telephone call before you book so you can decide if you would like to go ahead after speaking with me. I offer counselling in person or online, at the same fee.
My fee for supervision is £50 per hour, or £75 per 1.5 hours. I offer a free short telephone or video call initially so you can decide if you would like to go ahead. I can offer supervision in person or online (or a mix), at the same fee.
When I work
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Office hours for contact:
Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu 10am - 7pm
Closed Fridays, weekends & bank holidays.
Further information
I can be reached by email or phone. Unfortunately, I have found that some email providers (e.g. Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Gmail) tend to send my emails to spam folders. I have so far been unable to resolve this, and of course never send unsolicited emails. If you use one of these email providers and have not received a reply from me within one business day, please check your spam folder.
If you phone, I may not be able to answer your call immediately - so please leave a voicemail message if you would like me to call you back. Out of consideration for your privacy, I will only call back if you leave a voicemail or text message asking me to. Please ensure you have said your phone number when leaving a voicemail if you would like me to call you.
