Carly Cowling

I work from my private therapy space Tuesday - Friday, from 8am, subject to availability.

I offer online and in-person therapy from a quiet residential area of Hythe, with free, on-street parking and within walking distance of Hythe High Street.

Please feel free to arrange an initial chat with me free of charge. If we decide to work together, then each counselling session will cost £50.

I understand that starting therapy can feel daunting, and reaching out for support takes courage. I am flexible about how we communicate. You are welcome to reach out via email, text, whatsapp or call. I will aim to work at a pace that feels right for you and for as long as therapy feels helpful. 

Questions are always welcome, so please get in touch when you feel ready. I look forward to connecting with you.

I am a qualified integrative counsellor working with clients who are interested in meaningful change, that goes beyond the surface. I care deeply about working with you as a whole person, by considering your emotional, mental and physical well-being. This means focusing on the body, your behaviour and your environment, as well as the mind. I offer a therapeutic space where you don’t have to carry everything alone. Where a connection to yourself and others matters, and time slows down enough for you to notice what’s going on inside.

I am interested in how neurodivergence, stress and trauma influence our navigation of the modern world. We often store difficult experiences in our bodies as well as our minds, and it can take time to recognise the toll these experiences have on daily living. Whether you need support with a specific issue or something just doesn't feel right, we can look beyond the immediate symptoms to understand the deeper patterns that may be keeping you from living with purpose. I am dedicated to on-going training in trauma, neurodivergence and nervous system regulation.

My interest in working holistically with the body and mind started at a young age. I am a trained Latin and jazz dancer and a keen yogi. Through dancing, I developed a deeper understanding of how the body, mind and emotions work together. I integrate an understanding of the body, alongside thoughts and emotions in talking therapy. This can help to increase emotional capacity and deepen self-awareness.

I will spend time learning about your world with you, so that we can ensure our work is tailored to your unique needs and is respectful of your ability to choose how to live authentically. I am a neuro-affirming, engaged counsellor, offering a collaborative approach to therapy which is judgement free and self-paced. I provide guidance, not advice and I will share techniques, information and resources where appropriate.

My therapeutic approach blends relational, humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive models of therapy with nervous system understanding and an existential outlook on life. My style is mindful and compassionate, and I am committed to embracing the diversity in our individual experiences. I enjoy working creatively in therapy, as I believe it can help you to connect with the parts of yourself that may be difficult to put into words. My aim isn’t just to help you cope, but to help you choose how to live fully, with all of your humanness, whilst holding the pressures of modern living.

I hold an accredited BSc Hons degree in Psychology from Derby University & a level 6 accredited diploma in integrative counselling. I have 10-years’ experience in leading international mentoring programs for under-served communities, providing restorative support to people with a history of trauma.

My counselling philosophy focuses on holding acceptance and change together: being alongside you where you are, while being open to the possibilities of where you might go. My aim is to create the conditions in which you can meet yourself with greater honesty, compassion and understanding, and discover your own ways of moving forward. Sometimes this involves sitting with difficult emotions; at other times, it may involve reflection, challenge, help with a specific problem or drawing on different theoretical approaches.

You are the only person who truly knows how you are thinking and feeling. I believe it is important to respect the uniqueness of your experience. Whilst I cannot give you advice or tell you what to do, my integrative approach allows me to draw on different theoretical perspectives and interventions according to your own needs. Above all and central to my philosophy is my trust in your natural capacity for meaningful change and my belief in the importance of human connection.

The first step in your counselling process is to reach out via whatsapp, email, text or call (please feel free to leave a voicemail) and share a little about what is bringing you to therapy.

From here, we can arrange a free initial video or audio call. This is an opportunity for us to see if we are a good fit to work together. If you are happy to proceed, then we will arrange your first session. There is no pressure to commit during this call.

During your first therapy session, we will further explore what you are hoping to get from your time in therapy, and your expectations of me as your therapist. We will look at how we can work together, in a way that is meaningful for you.

We will also use our first session to discuss confidentiality, answer your questions, and clarify any concerns you may have about therapy.

All counselling sessions are 50-minutes.

I work in an open-ended manner, which means that you decide for how long you wish to be in therapy. So long as it is effective and beneficial for you, we can continue to work together.