Paul Madden

I currently have availability for new clients.

I offer face-to-face counselling in Ashford, as well as online and telephone appointments. Daytime and evening sessions are available, with limited weekend availability.

I aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.

If you're unsure whether counselling or the way I work is right for you, you're very welcome to get in touch and ask any questions before booking.

You may be used to coping, getting on with things and being the person other people rely on, while privately feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck or simply not yourself. Perhaps you're dealing with grief or loss, difficulties in a relationship, stress or burnout, questions around identity or sexuality, or a significant change in your life.

I'm Paul, a BACP-accredited counsellor and psychotherapist working with adults. I offer face-to-face counselling in Ashford, Kent, as well as online and telephone counselling.

I have more than 20 years' experience working across health, social care and support services. My professional background has given me particular experience of supporting people through grief and bereavement, anxiety, relationship difficulties, men's mental health, LGBTQ+ issues, health concerns and periods of significant change.

My approach is integrative, which means I don't believe one type of therapy suits everyone. Instead, I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on you, what you're experiencing and what you want from counselling.

Some people come to me knowing exactly what they want help with. Others find it much harder to put into words. You might simply know that you're struggling, repeating patterns you want to understand, or that life doesn't feel quite right.

You don't need to have everything worked out before coming to counselling. We can start with where you are.

I offer both short-term and longer-term therapy, depending on what you need.

For me, good therapy is about more than simply having someone listen. It's about developing a relationship in which you feel comfortable enough to talk openly, explore difficult experiences and begin to understand yourself in a different way.

I won't tell you how you should feel or what decisions you should make. Instead, we'll work together to understand what's happening for you, including the experiences, relationships and patterns that may be influencing how you feel today.

My style is warm, straightforward and collaborative. There may be times when simply having space to talk is what you need. At other times, we may look more closely at patterns in your thoughts, feelings or relationships, explore different perspectives, or consider practical ways of managing what you're experiencing.

I work with adults experiencing a wide range of difficulties, with particular interests in:

• anxiety and feeling overwhelmed

• grief, bereavement and loss

• stress and burnout

• men's mental health

• relationships and relationship difficulties

• LGBTQ+ issues, sexuality and identity

• self-esteem and confidence

• health-related concerns and adjustment

• depression and low mood

• significant life changes

Face-to-face counselling is available in Ashford, Kent. I also work online with adults across the UK and offer telephone counselling.

Sessions are confidential and my practice is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework.

The first session is a chance for us to understand what has brought you to counselling and for you to get a sense of what it would be like to work with me.

I'll ask about what's happening in your life at the moment, what has led you to seek counselling and what you would like to be different. We may also talk about relevant experiences from your past, but you won't be expected to tell me everything in the first meeting.

It's a conversation rather than an interrogation or a test. You can ask me questions too.

We'll talk about what you might want from counselling and whether short-term or longer-term work might suit you. If we both feel that working together would be helpful, we can then agree what happens next.

Finding the right counsellor matters. There is no obligation to continue after the first appointment if you decide I'm not the right therapist for you.