Natalie Kennedy

If you have ever wondered why you react the way you do, or why the same patterns keep showing up in your relationships, you are not alone. Many of us reach a point where we want to understand where those patterns began, and to decide for ourselves what we keep and what we change.

I’m Natalie, a counsellor working with adults in Reading, Basingstoke, West Berkshire and online across the UK. I offer a private, unhurried space where nothing is too small or too difficult to say, and where you can be curious, rather than critical, about yourself.

I believe we can only change what we understand, and that understanding begins when someone is listened to closely and without judgement.

You might be:

• Feeling unsure who you are outside of other people’s expectations

• Noticing patterns you picked up in your family and wanting to do things differently

• Standing at a turning point in a relationship or career, or becoming a parent

• Wanting to understand yourself better before the next stage of life

How I work: 

I work in a relational and integrative way, which simply means I shape our sessions around you. I can support you with what is happening now and, where useful, with understanding how the past may be affecting you too. I draw on person-centred, psychodynamic and CBT ideas, and I will always explain what I am doing and why.  I listen closely, notice what matters to you, and offer gentle observations so you can develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships

You might come to counselling because there is one thing you would like to change. As we explore that together, we may discover other experiences or patterns that help make sense of what is happening now.

At the start, you might feel unsure why life feels so hard, or why you keep reacting in ways you don’t understand. There is no need to have the right words. We begin at your pace and explore what feels important at the moment. 

As trust builds, we can explore what sits underneath, notice your patterns, and look at where they began and whether they still serve you.

Over time, that understanding can turn into choice: setting different boundaries, making decisions that fit who you are, and being kinder and more accepting to yourself.

I support adults with:

• Anxiety and stress

• Depression and low mood

• Low self-esteem, identity and confidence

• Relationship difficulties

• Family issues, including blended and step-families

• Life transitions

• Pregnancy, birth and postnatal depression

• Maternal mental health

A little about me

After a career supporting senior leaders, I retrained as a counsellor, bringing with me many years of experience listening, supporting others and building trusted relationships. Alongside my private practice, I work with adults facing separation from their children and major disruption to family life. This work has taught me how early experiences and difficult relationships can shape the way we feel, trust and cope as adults, and how much change is possible.

I’m a registered BACP member and hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I’m currently completing a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, and I continue to develop my practice through further training in Internal Family Systems (IFS), trauma, attachment and maternal mental health. I have a particular interest in women’s experiences, including identity, relationships, family patterns and the changes that come with becoming a mother

You don’t need to have it all figured out before getting in touch. Whenever you’re ready, I’d love to hear from you.

Booking process: 

Before we book a first session, I offer a free 15 minute phone call. It’s a chance to tell me a little about what has brought you here, ask me anything you’d like to, and get a feel for whether we’re a good fit. There’s no obligation, and no pressure to decide anything on the call.

If you’d like to go ahead, your first session is a chance to begin at your own pace. There’s no need to have the right words or to go into everything at once. You can share as much or as little as you like, and you take the lead.

I’ll explain how I work and how confidentiality works. We’ll also cover the practical side, such as session length and how often we meet.

• Anxiety and stress

• Depression and low mood

• Low self-esteem, identity and confidence

• Relationship difficulties

• Family issues, including blended and step-families

• Life transitions

• Pregnancy, birth and postnatal depression

• Maternal mental health

In-person sessions are £60 and online sessions are £50. I offer discounted rates as standard for students, teaching staff, NHS staff and counselling trainees. I also set aside a number of low-cost sessions each week for people who would otherwise be unable to access counselling. If this might apply to you, please message me and we can talk through your circumstances in confidence.

Locations: 

I offer in-person sessions:

Basingstoke (RG24)
Tilehurst, West Reading (RG30)
Mortimer, West Berkshire (RG7)

All locations have access to free and safe parking directly outside. 

Online sessions are also available UK-wide.