About me
I’m Kit, a qualified, insured and supervised integrative counsellor with a background in nursing, based just outside Bury St Edmunds.
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, particularly when you’re already feeling overwhelmed, stuck or unsure where to begin. I offer a non-judgmental and respectful space where you can speak openly about what’s going on for you and begin to make sense of it.
As an integrative counsellor, I draw on different therapeutic approaches and adapt our work to you. This might involve talking therapy, creative methods, or a combination of both. We can explore what feels relevant to you, whether that means looking at deeper patterns and past experiences or focusing on something you’re dealing with right now.
You may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed or low, struggling with self-doubt or low self-worth, or feeling disconnected from who you are. Perhaps you’re finding relationships difficult, noticing patterns that keep repeating, or questioning why you respond to situations in certain ways. Sometimes there isn’t one clear reason for seeking counselling — you may simply know that something doesn’t feel right.
I’m interested in understanding what sits beneath the difficulties you’re experiencing, while also recognising that the past isn’t always where the focus needs to be. We can look at what is happening in your life now, alongside experiences that may have shaped how you see yourself, relate to others or respond to difficult situations.
My approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive. I won’t tell you what you should do or give you a set of answers. Instead, I’ll work alongside you to help you develop a greater understanding of yourself and your experiences, so that over time you can feel more able to trust your own judgement and make choices that feel right for you. I bring empathy and sensitivity, alongside thoughtful challenge where it feels helpful, giving you space to consider things from a different perspective.
I have a particular interest in trauma, loss of identity, self-worth, anxiety and relationship difficulties. I also have experience supporting people through the emotional impact of long-term health conditions. My background in nursing has given me an understanding of the ways physical health and emotional wellbeing can affect one another.
Alongside my professional experience, I bring lived experience as the parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes and have previously facilitated a diabetes support group. This has given me an understanding of some of the emotional complexity that living with a long-term health condition can bring for individuals and families.
Counselling is personal, and finding someone you feel comfortable with matters. I offer a free 10-minute Zoom call so we can briefly talk about what brings you to counselling and you can get a sense of whether I might be the right counsellor for you.
Please email me to arrange a time. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram under Essentia Counselling, where I regularly share information about counselling, mental health and some of the themes I work with. If you do want to contact me please do send phone number as well as email address as will text you when I receive an enquiry to clarify you have received my reply as sometimes replies can end up in junk mail.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Registered General Nurse
- Level 3 Counselling
- Level 4 Counselling
- BA Hons in Integrative Counselling
- DBS Adult
- Safeguarding Adult
- Advanced DBS checked.
I have further training in trauma (including developmental and adverse childhood experiences), anxiety, stress, depression, self-harm, attachment, and chronic illness.. I am both trauma informed and neurodiversity-aware, and I am dedicated to supporting you with curiosity, respect, and understanding.
Alongside professional training, I bring lived experience as a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, which enhances my understanding of the emotional impact of chronic illness for both individuals and families. My previous role as an oncology nurse also brought with it a deep understanding of how cancer affects individuals and their families. I have previously worked alongside young adults in a further education setting and at Suffolk Mind. I work with those aged 18 years old with no upper age limit.
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.
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.
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
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
When I work
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Please do email me to check availability as at present it is limited but changeable, I will where possible try to accommodate you.
Further information
Essentia counselling is situated within The Pilates Vault at Fornham Business Park. There is plenty of parking and a cafe opposite.
If you would like to send an enquiry please include your telephone number as emails sometimes get ‘lost’ so I can clarify I have replied. I will always endeavour to reply within 24 hours (except at weekends).
