Paul Hurst

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BSc (Hons) Psych, MA, Dip TA Practice, MBACP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Tonbridge, Kent, TN12
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Anxiety, stress, depression, substance addiction, relationship and family issues - there are enough hassles already with modern living without having to tackle any of these as well. We will go to a doctor or dentist for specialist advice, so why not see a therapist if any of these issues or other challenges are making your life a misery?

In a world of increasing pressures and stress, we can all at times find ourselves being squeezed out. Perhaps 'setting ourselves on fire to keep others warm' - giving away so much of our time, energy and love to meet the needs of others that there is little or even nothing left to care for ourselves. Issues from the past can surface when we are at our weakest and least able to handle them.

Counselling and psychotherapy / psychological therapy can help us cope with many of the strains of modern life, including:

* Relational Issues

* Anxiety

* Anger Management

* Loss

* Grief

* Depression

* Change

* Separation

* Substance Use

* Age-Related Issues

* Illness and Injury


What are the benefits?

If you are experiencing any of the problems above, or are suffering from dissatisfaction with life or loss of a sense of direction or purpose then please send an email or give me a call to find out how counselling and psychotherapy can help - whether coping with a problem you are facing now, or a past traumatic experience. If you are looking for someone to talk to, someone to listen to you then please read on.

I follow a Humanistic perspective both in my life and as a therapist - seeking to work with clients as equals in a non-judgemental way and believe that we have the potential to often achieve far more than we think possible. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Rather than seeking to fit you into a standardised and rigid pigeon hole, or 'slap a label' on you, my aim is to respect you as an individual with your own strengths, challenges and opportunities. Counselling and psychotherapy provide different ways of addressing personal issues and at different levels, your wishes and decisions will be respected regarding how we work together.

Free initial consultation

Deciding to see a counsellor/therapist can feel like a big step. To help break the ice and let you find out if you think we can work together, I offer an initial free half-hour telephone consultation. You may also find it easier to talk over embarrassing issues first over the ‘phone, rather than face to face, so we won’t be total strangers when we meet. Either way, you have nothing to lose in taking the next step in addressing the issues worrying you at present – ring, text or email now to book the next available session.


What is involved in counselling and psychotherapy?

I integrate different therapeutic perspectives and methods, with a focus on 'what does this person need at this time' rather than believing that one size does not fit all. The method I trained in (Transactional Analysis) fosters an 'I'm ok, you're ok' equal relationship between client and therapist, where we work together to help you achieve your goal. You are fully entitled - and welcome - to see any notes, and to talk through as much (or as little) theory as you want. Transactional Analysis makes a point of using plain English to be as accessible as possible.

We meet in a safe, private and confidential setting to explore a difficulty you are having, distress you may be experiencing or may be dissatisfaction with life, or loss of a sense of direction or purpose. You set the agenda, whether it be a problem you are facing now or a traumatic experience in your past.

You can expect me to be attentive, respectful and non-judgemental, focused on you, honest and discreet. I also have full DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance and appropriate third-party insurance (details on the website.)

Any initial conversation by telephone or email is completely without obligation, please feel free to ask me about anything that concerns you, including my training, qualifications, experience or background - I won't be offended and am happy to answer any relevant question, or explain why if I'm unable to respond.

If you would like to know more about what is involved, click here.

How long will it take?

That depends on what you want to change. Sometimes a single session is all it takes to help someone resolve an issue that has been troubling them. A problem may be like a log jam - seemingly an unsolvable mess, but once the source of the blockage is located then it becomes possible to quickly find a solution. Research (citations available) suggests that the act of making contact with a therapist starts a chain of events and behaviours in motion that will help solve a difficulty.

Issues such as trauma in early life will probably involve long-term work, however, proceeding gently and sensitively. On average, clients usually find they can gain what they want after only a handful of sessions. I'm happy to be available for later meetings, even 'one-offs' if they are needed later. Rather like an osteopath or chiropractor, I'm happy to be a professional available for you to call on, as and when you need to.

Where can we meet?

I have a warm, welcoming, quiet and private garden office (between Brenchley and Horsmonden).

Why now?

To date, no client has expressed any regrets about coming although some have said how they wished they could have resolved their issues earlier, talking about wasted years and lost opportunities.

As Woody Allen’s friend in Manhattan said to him about therapy,

“The worst thing that can happen is you can learn something about yourself.”

To find out more, and to arrange a free initial consultation, contact me so we can discuss working together - I can also offer details of colleagues who specialise in particular fields of work if they could be more suitable for you.

It’s good to talk.

Paul Hurst

Training, qualifications & experience

Following a six-year Open University honours degree in psychology, I gained a diploma in counselling and psychotherapy and have achieved membership of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy.

During my training, I worked as a volunteer counsellor for a hospice, and for substance use units in both Brighton and Hastings and took additional training in trauma. In 2020, I was accepted as a Police Firearms Officer Association (PFOA) approved counsellor.

I have also gained accreditation as a 'Non-Religious Pastoral Care Volunteer' through the British Humanist Association and the Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health. I have an MA in Humanistic and Existential Pastoral Care, which included further training in counselling as well as in coaching and philosophy, studies on ethics and world religions as well as training as a celebrant for non-religious naming, wedding and funeral ceremonies. I suppose I'm the nearest thing to an atheist priest!

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Pastoral care (non-religious chaplaincy)

Ageing and age-related issues

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

 £50 for a weekday session, £60 for a Sunday morning or evening.

Payment can be by cash, card or bank transfer, whichever is most convenient for you.

Please see my website for full details: http://www.paul-hurst.com/Therapy-fees.html

When I work

Normal times: Mon. & Wed. 9.30, 11.00, 1.00pm, 2.30pm. 6.00pm, 7.30pm, 9.00pm Thurs. 1.00pm. 2.30pm, 6.00pm, 7.30pm.9.00pm Fri. 9.30, 11.00, 1.00pm, 2.30pm Sun, 9.30, 11.00

Between Brenchley and Horsmonden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older adults
Organisations

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Skype
VSee
Whatsapp
Zoom