Bonita Wood

I have 2 practice settings -

Room 321, Lombard House, Health, Wellbeing & Business Centre, 12-17 Upper Bridge Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NF

Clinic 124, 124 Middle Wall, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1BW

I am available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for face to face or online. 

I am an experienced humanistic counsellor, clinical supervisor and accredited member of the B.A.C.P. I work mostly in a person centred way which means that I am guided by you and that the relationship we build together plays an important part in the counselling process. I offer a safe and non-judgemental environment for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. I will support you with any life changes you might wish to make.

As a humanistic therapist I am mainly person centred in approach, however I draw from other approaches within my practice including TA , Gestalt, mindfulness based C.B.T and ACT.

My main aim is to improve your happiness, self acceptance and well being and I have a passion for building confidence. I can offer support with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, anger, low mood, loss, relationship issues, bereavement, burn out or just those who need to talk and might feel a bit stuck in their life's journey. I can offer coping mechanisms to help with panic attacks, I am a trauma informed therapist and I have experience of working with sexual abuse, adoption, gender identity and dysphoria and any pregnancy related issues.

I am qualified in working with Adoption through the Albany Centre and Barnados Link and I am able to offer counselling for adoptee's, adopted families, birth parents/families and anyone who wishes to gain some support within this area. 

I have 10 years experience in working with adults and young people in private practice and through my previous position at EKC. I have mentored trainee counsellors, offered group supervision, gained experience as a wellbeing practitioner and have provided group sessions. 

I understand it can be scary to take the step into counselling and you might be feeling anxious. I will do my best to offer a safe, confidential place in which you can feel comfortable and relaxed and able to freely talk and explore your emotional responses and thoughts. I will listen and be with you every step of the way.

I have 2 practice settings -

Room 321, Lombard House, Health, Wellbeing & Business Centre, 12-17 Upper Bridge Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NF

Clinic 124, 124 Middle Wall, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1BW

On your first session I will spend a few minutes introducing myself and will ask you about what has brought you into therapy and if you have any goals for therapy. I am happy for you to ask me any questions, queries or concerns you may have. You can also ask me about my qualifications and experience, if needed. My main aim is to make you feel comfortable and at ease and ready to start therapy.  

We will complete a brief assessment where you ill be able to give me any information or history about the problems you have been experiencing. I will then give you  a copy of our working agreement to sign (which can be sent in advance of the first session.) I will also go over any housekeeping regarding the  amenities within Lombard House. .

This first session is important for making sure that you feel comfortable and happy to work with me as your therapist. I can work short or long term and we can discuss what works best for you. 

Please feel free to contact me if you would like a call in advance to go over anything you might need to know. 

I am available Wednesday and Thursdays from 9.30 til 8pm but can often offer a different evening if required.

I am a fully qualified clinical supervisor (QLS level 6) and an BACP accredited counsellor. I have experience working in private practice as well as in educational settings such as the EKC group where I have had approximately 5 years experience providing supervision for qualified staff, volunteer counsellors and counsellors in training. I have some experience with offering supervision reports when needed.

I offer supervision face to face or online, either individually on a 1:1 basis and I also offer supervision groups. I provide supervision for counsellors and other professions that require or benefit from supervision and have experience in working with line managers, teaching staff and progression mentors.

As a humanistic counsellor, my approach is mostly person-centred using Gestalt and TA, however, my supervision training was integrative using Hawkins & Shohet's Seven Eyed model which works and fits with my own orientation. I feel this approach can be applied to any helping profession and I am open and able to work with any orientation.

I feel that the relationship between supervisor and supervisee is fundamentally important, in the same way as it is between counsellor and client. I approach supervision very much focusing on building a positive working relationship and ensuring that supervision is a collaborative process, working together to gain increased understanding, confidence and responsibility for your own practice alongside the development of reflective thinking, encouragement and challenging when necessary.

I aim to make my supervisees feel safe, respected and comfortable so they are free to explore their client work as well as their personal experiences and reactions in the counselling room. I am able to adjust the level and type of support offered in a way that matches a your own level of experience and what you need from supervision.

Please feel free to contact me to arrange a short call if needed. 

I have a private room in Lombard House Health & Wellbeing centre, in Canterbury Kent. My room is fully accessible.  

Useful information.

I work from my room in Canterbury - Room 321 Lombard House, Health & Wellbeing Centre in Upper Bridge St.

Lombard House is directly opposite the bus station behind the old city wall.

There is a waiting area, lift access and has receptionists available.

From the bus station - you will need to walk along St George’s Lane (pass Next and Fenwick) and towards the old city wall, turn right at the end of the road on St George’s Street and head towards the underpass. Once you resurface, turn right along Upper Bridge Street and towards Dover Street. We are located just after Bupa Dentist.

Parking - Holman’s Meadow car park, at the rear of Lombard House, can be accessed by Old Dover Street or Dover Street. There is disabled parking, motorcycle parking. You can pay by card, cash or through their app.The address for the car park is Old Dover Rd, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3JB.

I also have the use of therapy rooms at Clinic 124 in Whitstable. A specialist health clinic providing exceptional treatment and therapies for the whole family with highly experienced clinicians.

Useful information - clinic 124 is set in the heart of Whitstable with easy access by foot, public transport or car. There are two car parks in close proximity: Middle Wall Car park and Shaftesbury Road Car Park.