John Devlin

Would you like you to be free of an issue you're struggling with?
To have clarity and understanding?
To process a loss in whatever form it may take?
To instigate change?
To find acceptance?
To find peace in yourself?

I can help.

My name is John Devlin and I am a qualified counsellor and member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). I work in an Integrative way with a strong emphasis on Person Centred therapy.

I work from a relaxed garden room at my home near Aylesford/Maidstone in Kent.

My aim is to help adults over the age of 18 who are struggling in some way with their lives and work with them to reach a place of understanding; to help them find their way through what's troubling them.

For more about counselling, please view my introductory video:

https://youtu.be/wfpQjChrFKY

What I can help with:

• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Loss
• Anger
• Depression
• Identity issues
• Relationship issues
• Family problems
• Lack of confidence
• Trauma

Why come to counselling?

There are many different reasons that people come to counselling. There may be a specific issue that you have struggled with for some time or a stressful event that you are facing. One thing all reasons have in common however is a sense that all is not well in a person's world – and that they want to change.

What is counselling?

Counselling gives you a chance to speak in a safe and confidential space to a trained person that really listens; that empathises and values you, unconditionally and without judgement. It is an opportunity to unpack from your mind the problems that can bog you down and stop you living the best life that you can. A counsellor will not give advice, but will reflect and give you a new perspective on what you're experiencing.

I know that counselling can feel daunting but by facing your feelings and exploring what is causing you distress, answers can emerge that bring about real positive change and rescue you from a life of unfulfillment, unhappiness and discontent.

Bereavement and loss

I also have a personal vocation and interest in working with bereavement and loss. Death is an unescapable part of life and will touch all of us at some point, yet bereavement and grief can be incredibly painful and still feel like a bewildering mystery to so many of us.

I also believe the concept of ‘loss’ whether it be loss of self esteem, loss of confidence, loss of identity, loss of lifestyle, job or relationships are also often at the core of much of the distress people feel throughout their lives. Change is an unavoidable part of life, and loss in some form is always a part of change. Through exploring, understanding and accepting loss great clarity and insight can come, inspiring more positive changes within people.

What you can expect from working with me

I appreciate it can be difficult to choose the right counsellor. After asking you for some initial details about what is going on for you, I would invite you to attend an initial session either on the phone, via Zoom or face to face.

After this session hopefully we will both have an idea if we feel able to work with each other and all being well we can arrange a suitable time and dates for our sessions.

You can expect a warm, gentle, approach that places your well-being and interests firmly at the heart of the relationship. I don't have a magic wand that can simply make your issues disappear but I will be with you throughout your journey as you try and make sense of what is occurring for you and will help you uncover and develop your own strategies and solutions.

If you feel I would be a suitable counsellor for you, please do get in touch.

I offer a free 15 minute telephone conversation to allow you to tell me a little about what is going on for you and to help you decide if you think I would be a suitable counsellor for you. Reduced fees available for low waged, unemployed, students, trainee counsellors & the elderly.

I am a bereavement volunteer with Cruse and also at the NHS Wisdom Hospice in Rochester.