Emma Thompson

My usual office hours are:

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 10am - 7pm

Friday: 10am - 4pm

Closed weekends and bank holidays.

Unfortunately I have found my emails sometimes go to people's spam boxes - please check there if you have contacted me and not received a reply within one business day.

If you phone, I may not be able to answer your call immediately - so please leave a voicemail message if you would like me to call you back. Out of consideration for your privacy, I will only call back if you leave a voicemail or text message asking me to. Please ensure you have said your phone number when leaving a voicemail if you would like me to call you.

You're struggling with perfectionism, impostor syndrome, or burnout.  Perhaps you feel that no matter how much you achieve, it’s just not good enough - and you are worn out from holding it all together.  You’re the kind of person who gets things done and people rely on and have high expectations of you, which makes it harder to admit you are struggling.

In counselling with me you don’t have to ‘perform’ or prove anything.  We will explore what’s really going on underneath the surface - the pressure, the self-doubt, the inner critic - with warmth, compassion, and even a little humour where it helps.

Alongside this, I also support clients dealing with:

• Anxiety, overthinking, and inner restlessness
  
• Chronic pain and chronic illness, including the emotional toll of living in a body that doesn’t do what you wish it would or what others expect
• Stressful or overwhelming life circumstances such as job issues, family tensions, or big transitions
  

Maybe you're not sure exactly what you need, only that things are they are just aren't working.

I am a qualified counsellor and an Accredited Member of the BACP, working face to face in Kent and online.

I initially trained in an Integrative model (Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Cognitive & Existential), but my practice now is deeply influenced by my training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT). This approach helps people who are self-critical or anxious develop a kinder, clearer, more balanced relationship with themselves that is based on understanding, not judgment.

Sessions are collaborative, compassionate, and paced to suit you.  If you’d like to explore working together, please get in touch.

Please contact me via phone call, text message or email, and then when you are ready we will arrange a free phone or Zoom call to discuss what you want from counselling and how I can help (see my Privacy Policy on my website for more information). I have been running my private practice for over 10 years, and welcome any questions you have about my practice and style.  At the first appointment, we will take an overview of what has happened previously in your life and what is happening now.  Then we will explore your hopes and ideal outcomes for counselling.  I usually suggest booking 6 sessions to start with but you can choose a different number or change it later - either to have more or fewer sessions if needed - as you choose.  We will review this regularly to make sure you are getting what you need.

Relevant qualifications:

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CPCAB)

D171 Introduction to Counselling (Open University) - equivalent to CPCAB CST-L3

L4 Diploma in Integrative Counselling (InterPsyche, part of the Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust)

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (Counselling Tutor)

QLS Level 6 Diploma in Supervision (Community Counsellor Training, Canterbury)

A sample of my CPD training / professional experience:

Anxiety (particularly general anxiety disorder and social anxiety)

Lack of confidence

Burnout

Depression

Bereavement

Stress

Family breakdown / family issues

Work issues

Bullying

Self image and body image

Self esteem

Self harm

Suicidal thoughts & feelings

Gender, Sex and Relationship Diversity

Living with chronic illness and pain

Disability

Resilience

Imposter Syndrome

Trauma

Compassion Focused Therapy

Neurodivergence

To begin, we would speak via phone or email about what you want from counselling (please see my Privacy Policy on my website for more information). If you then are happy to do so, we will arrange an appointment. If we are unable to work together, for whatever reason, I may be able to recommend someone else who can help you.

At the first appointment, we will discuss what has happened previously in your life and what is happening now. We will talk more about your hopes and goals for counselling, and discuss how many appointments you want and how often (either weekly sessions, or fortnightly). I usually offer 6 sessions to start with, but you can choose a different number or change it later - either to have more or fewer sessions if needed - as you wish.

My usual office hours are:

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 10am - 7pm

Friday: 10am - 4pm

Closed weekends and bank holidays.

Being in private practice can be exciting, but also really daunting. There’s so much to do - clinical work, ethical responsibilities, data protection, money and tax, booking systems, marketing, notes, supervision…!

While I like to specialise in working with those who are new to private practice, I work with supervisees at all stages of their career.  I use the Seven Eyed Model and prefer a warm, collaborative, and collegial style.  You don’t have to know everything - your questions, doubts and learning curve are welcomed, not judged.

I want to help you become the best practitioner you can be - ethical, well-resourced, and comfortable in your own style.

In my counselling work, I specialise in clients struggling with perfectionism and impostor syndrome, and those managing chronic pain/chronic illness, anxiety, and life stressors.  My initial training was Integrative (Psychodynamic, Person Centred, Cognitive & Existential) but I am most strongly influenced by my later training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).

You might want to use supervision to:

• Find and develop your own style and way of being in your practice
• Discuss and navigate ethical dilemmas with confidence
• Hold the pain that clients bring to you
• Develop your own paperwork and systems (contracts, notes, policies)
  
• 
Understand data protection, confidentiality, and record-keeping
  
• Work out how to manage the admin side of practice (HMRC, ICO, boundaries, cancellations)

  

Whether you're feeling unsure about your client work, overwhelmed by admin, or just looking for a grounded and thoughtful space to reflect, please get in touch.

I am Accredited by the BACP and I have been in private practice since 2015 and I qualified as a supervisor in 2021.  I work from my home therapy space in Sittingbourne and online.

My supervisory style is supportive, collaborative and guiding, using appropriate affirming as well as challenging to help you to be the best practitioner you can be.  My role is to support you to grow and develop both in your work and as a person.

I offer a free half hour initial meeting or Zoom call to answer your questions and discuss your supervisory needs - please get in touch to arrange.

I offer a free half-hour telephone or Zoom call to answer your questions, discuss your work context and needs, and explore how we might work together.  I will provide you with my paperwork to read through and complete before we begin - Contract, Privacy Agreement, Contact Details form and information sheets about supervision.  I welcome questions about my practice and style, and feedback on how I can best support you in becoming the practitioner you want to be.