Counselling in Cranbrook, Kent
Welcome and thank you for visiting Prime Counselling
Welcome to Prime Counselling
Hi I'm Heather! I'm a neurodivergent person-centred counsellor/psychotherapist based in Cranbrook. I have a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a degree in Psychology with a Counselling focus. I am registered with the BACP & the BPS. I can provide therapy in-person, over the phone or via video link. I have over 2000 counselling hours experience working with a huge range of clients. I started my journey to counselling by volunteering with a local bereavement charity and it is here that I learnt about how much of a difference simply having someone to talk to who understands you and affirms how you are feeling can make. I have also worked in local schools proving counselling for 11-18 year old's, as well as working with a wide range of adults throughout my practice also. I have a particular interest in working with people who are neurodiverse and can offer ways of working which appeal to and work well for clients who experience neurodiversity.
Therapy for Neurodivergence
Being neurodivergent myself, and having a lot of personal experience in my life with neurodivergence, during my work I have found myself increasingly pulled to working with clients who are also neurodivergent. I can offer an approach that comes from true understanding and help you find tools to manage the everyday challenges that come with this. My particular specialities are:
Autism - otherwise known as ASC or ASD
I can tailor the therapy experience to cater to any needs you may have relating to this. Eye contact is never a necessity, the space I work in is comfortable, and there are fidget toys on hand.
ADHD - Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
ADHD traits are more than welcome within the counselling environment - I am truly not worried if you switch topics quickly, speak fast or have trouble keeping track. I have experience and knowledge of how to best help you to access therapy even when it feels impossible.
OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
I have many tools on hand to help you identify current ways of coping, and move to ones which may feel easier and less controlling of your life.
and more!
Whatever subtype of neurodiversity you identify as - we can accommodate this within the sessions. You will never be made to feel as though your accommodations are a burden or unnecessary.
I can also offer generalised resources on how to best access to diagnosis and what this will look like for you, should you be seeking this.
Why seek counselling?
People seek counselling at many different times in their lives for many different reasons. Counselling can provide you with a safe and confidential space to explore your issues without fear of judgement or consequences within your personal life. Many times, people can feel like they cannot talk to those who are closest to them because of fearing their reactions and the problems this may cause in your relationships.
How counselling can help
These feelings can be very overwhelming and can take over all of your thinking capacity, meaning that acknowledging you need help and asking for it can be scary. If you believe that you are ready to look for help, counselling may be a wonderful way for you to work through how you’re feeling. There are many types of counselling and some may work for you and some may not, it’s important to have an idea of what to expect before you work with someone.
Working with me
The counselling that I provide is an approach called person centred counselling. By working in this way, I have the belief that the client is the one with all of the knowledge of how best to help themselves, as such I will aid you to work through your issues so that this knowledge becomes clear again. I believe that you have the ability to find your own growth and the desire to change your life in the ways which will work best for you. I do this by providing a facilitative therapeutic relationship which is free from judgement.
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Panic attacks
Grief and Bereavement
Relationship issues
Problems with confidence
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Neurodiversity
Baby Loss
Eating disorders
OCD
Chronic pain
Work stress
Depression
Abuse
Addiction
Feeling happier
Below are just some of the reviews Heather has been left during any stages of the counselling stages, without the client being prompted to provide feedback - it has also been left anonymously.
"I’ve never had therapy before and speaking with Heather has been a great introduction to it, she’s really let me lead on what I want to talk about but also prompted me to think about things I have never considered. We have only had a few sessions and I already feel like it’s benefitted me immensely. Many of the strategies she’s taught me I already have put into place which was the main reason I wanted to start therapy. It makes me really hopeful for where I will be if I pursue therapy over a longer period. Definitely recommend Heather and want to thank her for her help!"
"Heather is accepting, calming, and patient. As an autistic person with ADHD, my ways of communicating can be chaotic and oftentimes quite overwhelming, but in just a few sessions I have experienced what I feel to be a bit of a personal breakthrough. Working with Heather has contributed to a big change in the way that I feel about some of my important relationships, and breathed new life into my approach to personal therapy. I have accessed therapy for years, and it had begun to feel a little stagnant, or like I was on some kind of plateau, but Heather's approach and willingness to meet me where I am has allowed for me to come at it from a different angle. I look forward to continuing the work with Heather, and seeing where else this therapeutic relationship might lead me. I couldn't recommend her enough. Great experience."
"Heather is brilliant. I have experienced therapy many times, and I have found myself able to be more open, honest, and vulnerable with Heather than ever before with other therapists. I feel seen, respected, and genuinely cared for. Working with Heather has been pivotal to some big changes I have made in my life. I can't recommend her highly enough."
"Heather is awesome. I have had many experiences in therapy, and this has been by far the best. "
Counselling is a confidential service, this means that what you share will not be shared outside of the counselling room unless there is a severe risk of serious harm to yourself or others or any crimes are disclosed, this can be discussed further over the phone, email or in person.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help. Alternatively, you can call me on 07544 866450.
My location
I work from a calm environment based in Cranbrook - TN18 5 - with plenty of free parking available, which is easily accessible to most, sadly there are quite a few stairs that may pose an issue if you use a wheelchair and/or cane although adjustments and aid will be available if this is the case or online/telephone sessions are available.
If you would like to arrange a first meeting please do email, call or text me, whichever you prefer. Please be aware that CCTV recording does take place on-site of the property.
Sessions and Fees
An initial, half price introduction session is available at first so that you can have the chance to ask any questions you may have and get a feel of whether I am the right counsellor for you. This session will be in general tend to be shorter so that you can meet me and hear more about what to expect from counselling and myself rather than being thrown straight in, but please do allow for the full hour in your schedule.
Counselling sessions last for 50 minutes to an hour and cost £50. The first session is offered at a reduced price of £25 & lasts up to 50 minutes.
You can pay via cash, card, bank transfer, PayPal or via my online booking portal - whichever is easiest for you. There is no obligation to return for further sessions however, bulk bookings of 6 sessions are available at a discount (£280, saving you £20). Session times are flexible and can be inquired about in your initial inquiries.