Welcome to Room2Thrive
Compassionate counselling for young people
About Me
I am a fully qualified integrative counsellor, specialising in working with young people from age 11–21. I work from premises in Fawkham, near Longfield in Kent. I am also happy to offer online therapy for young people 16+. I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. I have public indemnity insurance, an enhanced DBS check and additional safeguarding training.
I have many years experience of working with young people and their families in a variety of roles – as a nanny, in a nursery, in a SEN school and as a support worker for children and teenagers with disabilities. Over the years, my experiences – both personally and professionally – led me to develop a keen interest in mental health and wellbeing, so once my own children were settled at school l decided to train as a counsellor. I knew straightaway that l wanted to specialise in working with young people, and throughout my training l volunteered in the busy counselling department at North Kent College.
A Little About How I Work
I strongly believe that there is no 'one size fits all' approach to counselling, particularly when working with children and young people. I adapt my approach to each individual client depending on their age, personality and needs. Sometimes this may involve talking - exploring thoughts or emotions, or simply having some time and space to work things through. Other times this may include games, play or creative interventions, or be more education-based - learning about how our brain and body works and techniques for managing our thoughts and emotions, such as anxiety or anger.
I am told I have a very gentle and calming manner and my main priority is that during our sessions, the young person feels safe, supported and able to be completely themselves.
How I Work
I am told l have a very gentle and calming manner, and my main priority is that young people feel comfortable, relaxed and safe when working with me. I believe that ‘traditional’ talk therapy can often feel quite intimidating for young people and so l also use a range of creative interventions, games and activities to help them to tell their unique story and explore their worries, as well as incorporating some C.B.T. techniques when appropriate.
I offer a free 30 minute telephone or video chat consultation with parents or carers (or sometimes the young person themselves). During this call we can arrange an initial 50 minute consultation for your child. After this meeting, I will send out a follow up email and together you and your child can decide whether you would like to go ahead with further counselling. Initially I recommend booking in for six sessions, with the option to extend this if appropriate. Please contact me for more information, or to book a session.
Fees and Location
- Initial consultation - £55
- Subsequent sessions - £55
All sessions are 50 minutes.
Payments can be made by cash or bank transfer. I do ask for at least 24 hours notice when cancelling appointments. Cancellations made without 24 hours notice will be charged at the full rate.
Sessions are held in my own cosy therapy room near Longfield, Kent.
Room2Thrive
Black Barn Offices
Gay Daw Farm (at Corinthians Sports Club)
Valley Road
Fawkham, Kent
DA3 8LY
Frequently Asked Questions
A recent study by mental health charity, Place2be, found that a third of parents would feel uncomfortable or embarrassed if their child needed counselling. Their worries included ‘feeling judged by other parents’ ‘feeling judged by the counsellor’ and ‘feeling ‘not good enough’ as a parent’. All l can say is, as a parent myself, l know that parenting is a rollercoaster. There is simply no such thing as the perfect parent, but most of us are trying the very best we can, often dealing with some tough circumstances along the way.
Here at Room2Thrive, I can provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space to help support your child.
Counselling is a two-way relationship – it’s something that the young person participates in, not something that is done to them. If a young person is absolutely certain that counselling isn’t for them, then trying to force them along is often unhelpful.
I do understand that seeing a counsellor can feel a bit scary, intimidating or strange for a young person. They might worry that l will bombard them with intrusive questions, or be able to read their minds, or that we’ll sit in awkward silence. All l would say to a young people is to come along for an initial session with an open mind and then see what you feel from there.
Sometimes, if a young person does not want to come to counselling sessions, I can work with parents instead, supporting them to support their child.
The most important thing is that a young person feels safe and comfortable and I understand that some young people might feel very anxious about meeting with me initially. I am more than happy for a parent to come in the counselling room for some or all of the first session whilst the young person gets to know me and the new surroundings. However, in my experience, most young people do tend to open up about their worries much more freely without parents in the room, so this would be something I'd be working towards in future sessions.
Confidentiality is at the very heart of all therapeutic counselling, as well as being a legal right for children and young people. Whilst it can be really beneficial for parents to understand what is going on for their child and be part of the therapy, I will only do this with the young person’s full agreement.
However, l will always share information if needed to ensure a young person’s safety.
Get in touch
Please contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
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