About me
Grief, Loss and Bereavement Counselling in Kent | Online Counselling Across the UK
Life has a way of knocking us off course. Whether you are navigating the raw weight of grief, trying to make sense of a relationship that has broken down, or quietly wondering if you will ever feel like yourself again, you do not have to carry it alone. I am Stephanie Faulkner-Smith, a BACP registered counsellor based in Frittenden, Kent, and I offer compassionate, person centred counselling to individuals and couples both in person and online across the UK.
My Specialisms
Grief and Bereavement Counselling. Grief is one of the most profound experiences a human being can face, and one of the most misunderstood. I specialise in supporting adults, young people and children through all forms of loss: the death of a loved one, miscarriage, perinatal loss and the complex, devastating grief that follows losing someone to suicide. You will not be handed a five stage roadmap and told you should be 'over it' by now. In my practice, grief is honoured at whatever pace and in whatever form it takes for you.
Suicide Bereavement and Suicide Prevention. As an accredited Suicide First Aid Instructor and a counsellor trained in suicide intervention and prevention, I bring both clinical knowledge and deep human compassion to this work. If you are bereaved by suicide, as a partner, parent, sibling, friend or colleague, I understand that this particular grief carries layers that many counsellors are not equipped to hold. I am. And if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts yourself, I want you to know that this is a space where you can say that out loud without judgement.
Couples Counselling. Relationships are one of the most important and most challenging parts of being human. Whether you and your partner are struggling with communication, trust, intimacy or the quiet distance that creeps in over time, couples counselling provides a neutral, supportive space to hear and be heard. I work with all couples regardless of relationship structure or sexual orientation.
Anxiety, Stress and Burnout. Anxiety can feel like a constant hum beneath everything, always there, always draining. Whether you are dealing with generalised anxiety, panic attacks, work related stress or the particular pressure of being a carer or young person navigating a difficult world, I can help you understand what is happening and build a path forward that works for your life.
Children, Young People and Families. My background spans 28 years in education, including the last six working directly with adults and young people's mental health. This gives me an unusually strong foundation when working with young people aged 8 and above, children experiencing bereavement, anxiety or behavioural challenges and parents who want to understand what their child might be going through. I work with children, young adults and families, and I am comfortable navigating the specific pressures that children in educational settings face.
My Approach
I am person centred at heart, which means that our sessions are guided by you, your pace, your priorities, your truth. I do not arrive with an agenda or a script. I arrive with curiosity, warmth and genuine commitment to understanding your experience as only you can describe it.
I also draw on a range of other evidence based approaches where they are useful, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Human Givens psychotherapy, adapting my practice to the person in front of me rather than fitting you to a model.
I work with all ages, from children to older adults, with individuals and with couples. My work is grounded in the belief that being truly heard, perhaps for the first time, can itself be transformative.
A Little About Me
Before I trained as a counsellor, I spent nearly three decades as an educator, with the last six years focused specifically on mental health in schools and community settings. That background shapes everything I do: I understand how people learn, how people shut down, and how to meet someone exactly where they are. I am also a Mental Health First Aid England Accredited Instructor and a Suicide First Aid Accredited Instructor, which means I bring real depth to prevention and crisis informed work.
I have a particular understanding of men's experiences of grief and mental health, as a mother of sons and as someone who has worked alongside men in crisis. I know that the path to asking for help can look very different for men, and I welcome that conversation.
Your First Step
I offer a free 15 minute online consultation so we can see whether we are a good fit before you commit. There is no pressure and no obligation, just a conversation. Concessions are available for those on low incomes, students, NHS key workers, trainee counsellors, unemployed individuals, OAPs and refugees.
I am based in Frittenden, near Cranbrook in Kent, and I see clients in person at my counselling room there, as well as online via Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp.
If you are searching for a grief counsellor in Kent, a bereavement counsellor near Cranbrook, or online counselling for suicide loss anywhere in the UK, I would love to hear from you.
To get in touch: call 07852 660944 or email me directly. I usually respond within 24 hours.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling alongside a specialist Diploma in Grief and Loss Counselling, a combination that equips me to work with the full emotional spectrum of bereavement, from early acute grief to complex, protracted loss. I have also completed a Certificate in Couples Counselling, reflecting my commitment to supporting relationships as well as individuals.
My professional training is further strengthened by accredited instructor qualifications in both Mental Health First Aid England and Suicide First Aid, the latter reflecting my specialist knowledge in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention (supporting those bereaved by suicide). These qualifications mean that working with suicidal ideation or suicide loss is never outside my competence; it is central to my clinical identity.
I have additionally completed a Certificate in Therapeutic Coaching and a Certificate in Working Online as a Counsellor (BACP), ensuring that my online practice meets the same professional and ethical standards as face-to-face work.
Before entering the therapy profession, I completed a Bachelor of Education (Hons), which underpins 28 years of practice in education, including six years working directly in mental health support with both adults and young people. This background gives me a strong, nuanced understanding of developmental psychology, learning differences (including ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia), and the pressures facing young people and families today. It also means I am particularly experienced in working therapeutically with children and young people.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I hold an up-to-date DBS certificate. I engage in regular clinical supervision and ongoing CPD in line with BACP ethical frameworks.
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I work with both individuals and couples.
I am trained in suicide intervention and prevention.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 - £65.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Concessions are available upon request
