About Samantha

In my experience of working with clients from all walks of life, I constantly see how effective it is to talk to someone who can fully hear you, and empathise with you, without judging or shaming you. 

 

I also believe in the healing nature of counselling having personally experienced it first hand as a client.  This is why I believe it is important to find 'the right fit' for you when you start your journey into finding a counsellor that you feel comfortable with.  I  hope to help make your search a little easier by providing some background about myself.  This also helps me remain transparent with my clients as I believe life experience is just as important as academic qualifications in forming a therapeutic relationship.

 

Interesting, my professional journey started out very differently, raised in South London I qualified as a Personal Assistant, as we were known back in the 1980s!  My career started in Insurance and then led me to roles such as Diversity Project Manager at the CIPD in London, working with Home Office and HR Professionals where I stayed for 10 years.  Then I became a mother and took some time out to care for my children and made a move out of London and into the suburbs of Kent.

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My journey into training as a counsellor was first ignited during the 12 years of my employment within addiction services and criminal justice.  In these services I was supporting clients with alcohol and substance misuse, complex mental health including anxiety and depression, BPD, EUPD, ADHD and paranoia, suicidal thoughts and self-harm. During this time I undertook intensive training in Suicide Intervention and Self-Harm and psycho-social and educational support in harm reduction and addiction;  I now also integrate this within counselling when needed.

 

As a Support Worker in the addiction service, I became aware that only offering drug reduction treatments was infact putting a symbolic plaster over my clients problems and without exploring or offering any other therapeutic support around the root cause for their unhealthy copying mechanism then it would only lead to a relapse.  And so my passion for helping people led me into my counselling training and eventually setting up my own private practice,

 

Once my children left school and I had more time, I decided to embark finally on my counselling diploma, qualifying during Covid in 2021.  To help finance my training, I worked for six years in a secondary school in the Special Educational Needs Team. I trained to work with neurodivergence and implement support strategies and care plans for students and young adults with diagnosed ADHD, ADD and ASD, Sensory Disorders, disabilities, depression and anxiety.  I also became a MIND EHFA Youth Mental Health First Aider.  

 

Remaining very passionate about working with vulnerable adults in the addiction field, I volunteered for two years as a counsellor for a homelessness charity in Rochester.  I supported their clients; some whom have been involved in the criminal justice system due to struggles with addictions, trauma and other complex mental health issues.  

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During my volunteer counselling placement I noticed that many clients with addictions often were neurodivergent.  Impulsive behaviour and a need to self-medicate to calm their racing thoughts fueling their drive to continue using.  I was able to bring some of my SEN knowledge and strategies into my counselling room to support some of their specific needs. 

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Since then, I have had a special interest in ADHD and addictions and have continued yearly to take further training in these areas to expand my knowledge to cover areas such as trauma, intrusive thoughts and learning more about the umbrella of neurodivergence.  This has also led to alot of personal growth and self discovery as the world around us becomes more accepting of neurodivergence, leading to family members receiving ADHD and ASD diagnosis and a lived personal experience.  I feel these personal experiences have allowed me to connect with my clients on a different level and understanding.  However, you will be the judge of that yourself if you wish to join me on your counselling journey! 

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Over the years I have also volunteered as a Mediator for Neighbourhood Disputes for Medway Mediation Services after completing my mediation training in 2014.  

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I also have professional and personal experience working with the blind and visually impaired.

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