Natalie Stanford

I am an experienced practitioner working with young people and adults in my private practice, which is online, near Canterbury and in Faversham Town Centre.

In my private practice, I work with clients who have recently had a diagnosis of autism and  / or adhd and I help navigate traits and identify strengths. Sometimes having a diagnosis can be both liberating and challenging. Since the Pandemic, I have supported clients with trauma, emotional dysregulation, bereavement, social anxiety and burnout. I help clients with disordered eating, self-injury and suicidal ideation.  I also support with general and sexual health for men and women including libido and menopause. I help support clients with anxiety, depression, relationships, and sexual and domestic abuse.

In school, I work with students age 11-18, who have experienced bereavement, anxiety and school refusal, often related to lockdown.

I support students who have difficulties with separated parents, or other general family pressures. 

I support students who struggle with exam pressure and revision technique. This can also mean helping with organisation and executive function. 

Glossophobia is quite common in school and I support students who are nervous and anxious about presenting work in front of peers in class. 

I work with students who have a terminally ill or deceased parent. This can be a very challenging time and I tailor to the individual needs of each student. 

I have experience of working with Emetophobia and basic forms of exposure therapy. I support some students by encouraging discussion about eating issues, such as disordered eating, ARFID, fear of eating in public, purging and body image. I help students work through unhelpful thought patterns and find a way to reframe. 

I support students who experience physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse.

I support students who wish to explore thoughts and feelings around sexuality, sex and identity. 

I have experience in working post ectopic pregnancy, loss and termination as well as supporting students with relationships in general.

I support students with Autism and Adhd, coming to terms with a diagnosis and how to navigate personal traits, commonly, Misophonia, selective mutism, anxiety, Alexithymia, dysregulation, sensory difficulties, overwhelm and understanding emotions, social cues and friendships. In school I support a number of students with a diagnosis and an EHCP. 

I particularly enjoy helping young people and adults rebuild their lives after a period of isolation or traumatic events including PTSD and complex trauma. I offer psychosocial and psychological support, as well as self esteem and resilience building. I use a holistic approach with all my clients and I help re-evaluate exercise, disruptive sleep patterns and diet. I endeavour to help re-establish identity, confidence and independence. 

I have a strong sense of authenticity as a counsellor and this hopefully encourages clients to feel comfortable with what they bring to the sessions. I believe that unconditional positive regard, empathy and a non-judgemental stance are important qualities for a therapeutic relationship to grow. This is at the heart of my practice and can enable self-acceptance and self-awareness to develop. I try to help clients feel safe when exploring the internal and external world, build resilience and make sense of  thoughts and feelings. 

Counselling and coaching can often help someone work through thoughts and feelings and develop the confidence to move forward or make a change. 

As an integrative therapist, I use modalities such as Psychodynamic, Solution-Focused Therapy, CBT, Existential Therapy and Gestalt. I have also trained in evidence-based coaching which focuses on behaviour and goal achievement.

If you would like to talk through your issues for yourself or your son / daughter in a confidential setting, you can contact me via email or telephone. I offer a half hour conversation on Zoom or telephone, to see if I am the right counsellor for you and discuss availability, free of charge. After this, you can decide if you would like to start regular counselling and sessions will be charged at £50 for a 50 minute session. 

BACP Registered Counsellor.

Pg Dip Integrative Counselling & Coaching