Rhoda Scantlebury-Williams

If you would like to arrange an initial session or have questions about counselling, you are welcome to get in touch. I work with adults and young people age 16+.  Sessions are available in Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, and online.

You might be here wondering whether talking to someone can really change how you feel — whether things that feel overwhelming, confusing, or painful can become more manageable. My experience is that they can when there is time, space, and a relationship in which to explore them.

Counselling offers a confidential, reflective space where you can begin to think about what is happening in your life, how you relate to others, and how you experience yourself.

When counselling may feel helpful:

You may be considering counselling because your usual ways of coping no longer feel sufficient. Perhaps you notice yourself responding with more anxiety, anger, or distress than feels manageable, or you may feel emotionally numb, disconnected, or out of touch with yourself or others.

Sometimes these feelings are linked to a clear event; at other times they develop slowly, through prolonged stress or unresolved experiences. It can also be frustrating when there is no obvious explanation for why things feel the way they do.

How I work

I work psychodynamically. This means we pay attention not only to what is happening in the present, but also to patterns, emotions, and responses that may sit outside of immediate awareness.

In therapy, we notice how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours arise — particularly within relationships, including the therapeutic relationship itself. As these experiences are explored, they can begin to be understood and given language. Over time, as you build a story of yourself, this can open up more choice and flexibility in how you respond to yourself, to others, and to life.

I work with adults and young people age 16+ around a wide range of experiences, including:

• Anxiety, stress, and pressure

• Low mood and depression

• Trauma and its impact

• Difficulties in relationships and family dynamics

• Disordered eating

• Issues around intimacy, sexuality, and self-esteem

• Anger, intrusive thoughts, and self-doubt

• Grief, loss, and bereavement

• Addictive or compulsive behaviours

• Suicidal thoughts

• Parents caring for children or young people experiencing mental health difficulties, including self-harm.

Apart from private practice, I also work as a senior counsellor in a local counselling centre and as a seminar leader for trainee counsellors on a BACP accredited course.

An initial session offers an opportunity for us to meet and think together about what brings you to counselling. It gives you a chance to experience how it feels to work with me, and for me to consider whether my way of working is likely to be helpful for you.

There is no obligation to continue beyond this session. Finding a therapist you feel able to work with is one of the most important aspects of therapy.

If after this session we both agree that we work well together then we would fix a weekly appointment that you feel able to commit to. We might decide that a fixed number of sessions or a piece of open-ended work is more suitable. 

The length of work is up to you. Once we begin working together, if you find something difficult or painful then I would ask you to bring it to your session. Counselling is not always easy but I offer you the opportunity to work with me through the things that hurt or feel too awkward to mention.

Counselling can take place online or in-person. Each way of doing things has its own strengths and you may notice which feels more appropriate for you.