Kirsti Sandom
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
I provide a calm, safe and non-judgmental space, where you can feel accepted, understood and heard in complete confidentiality and without pre-conception.
As an integrative therapist, my style is flexible in order to work with my clients’ needs as they arise. Every client is different so I ensure that we choose an approach that will work for you and a holistic way of working that is individual to your uniqueness. Being an integrative counsellor means that I will lean into different therapeutic modalities, adapting the way we work together to fit in with your needs and circumstances. At the heart of this, I work in a person-centred way, seeing your potential, encouraging its growth and working with you to develop your self-awareness.
Whatever you’re struggling with, be it depression, grief, self-esteem, anxiety or relationship issues, we can look at the jigsaw pieces of your life together, to help you gain clarity. This may involve exploring the past, sometimes childhood experiences, to identify patterns in emotions and behaviours which shine a light on current issues.
You may be grappling with life’s meaning after bereavement, a relationship breakdown or job loss. Any kind of loss can have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing. I work with you to help you make sense of things & find meaning and purpose in order to move forward and to feel less lost.
How counselling can help
Counselling can be a transformative and healing experience as we spend time reflecting on our thoughts and feelings in the presence of another person. We all have the capacity to make the changes needed to move forward when we are given the time and patience to understand ourselves better. I work in a warm, authentic and compassionate way. I will sit alongside you to explore issues and ultimately find ways to cope.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BACP Accredited Diploma (Distinction) in Integrative Counselling at the Inter-Psyche Training Institute
- CPCAB levels 2 & 3 in counselling skills
- MHFA Lite Mental health first aid
I regularly attend numerous CPD courses to enhance my practice and continue my passion for learning.
As well as my private practice, I volunteer at a hospice with bereaved family members, carers and patients nearing end of life. I have also worked as a volunteer for 3 years at North Kent Mind offering low-cost, long-term counselling.
I am a qualified yoga teacher and consequently, a mindfulness and breathwork enthusiast, which is something that I can incorporate into sessions if it suits the client.
Member organisations
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
- Online bank payments paid 24 hours in advance to secure your appointment.
- I offer a limited number of concessionary rates to students and those on a low income.
- Please let me know if you believe you would be eligible for a reduced rate and we can discuss.
When I work
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- My earliest appointment is 9am and the last at 6.30pm.
- I offer weekly and bi-weekly appointments (bi-weekly only before 5pm).
Further information
How to get started
I recommend that we have a no obligation and free of charge, 15 minute phone or Zoom chat initially, to find out if we are a good fit to work together. That way you get a feel of how comfortable you feel with me.
The first session
Our first session would be an assessment where I discover more about you and your history, and importantly what your needs and goals for the therapy are. It provides the context for the work we will then do together. That session would be approximately an hour long, sometimes more.
Ongoing sessions
Thereafter, our regular sessions are 50 minutes. I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions. A lot of clients prefer to have an open ended agreement and we would check in regularly on how things are progressing. However, if working in a time limited fashion suits you more, we can agree on a number of sessions up front.
