Experienced Adolescent Counsellor Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Hello and a warm welcome!
Hi, I'm Paula, and I am an integrative, trauma-informed, and neuro-affirming counsellor working exclusively with young people aged 12 to 25.
Working in an integrative way simply means that I adapt my approach to fit each young person's personality and concerns, drawing on a variety of therapeutic theories.
Through creativity, connection, and careful attention, I strive to provide a space and a relationship that feel safe enough to explore what may be holding the young person back or causing distress.
In our sessions, I facilitate a process that helps young people connect deeply with themselves. This might be through traditional talk therapy or other techniques such as psychoeducation, narrative therapy, and creative arts. This is always led by the young person's preferences.
The room
The therapeutic space plays a crucial role in counselling. A therapy room should be a place where young people feel at ease, comfortable enough to relax, and supported in opening up about their thoughts, feelings, and life experiences.
How I work
When I work with a young person, I listen carefully to what they share and help them find the words that haven’t been spoken yet. My aim is to help them discover better ways to cope or bring about changes that will improve their emotional wellbeing. The young person sets the pace of our work because I believe they are the experts of their own experience. My role is to facilitate their personal growth, healing, and change by offering unconditional acceptance, openness, and commitment.
Neurodiversity
I offer an inclusive practice that respects identity, culture, beliefs, and personal choices. I am committed to working inclusively with individuals of different cultures, neurotypes, genders, sexual orientations, and ages.
One of my key interests is working with issues around identity and self-esteem, exploring the life experiences that have led young people to develop certain defenses and judgments about themselves and the world. A particular area of interest is neurodiversity. As a neuro-affirming counsellor, I strive to help young people understand and accept their own unique place in the world, empowering them to make the decisions and choices that are right for them.
I am deeply committed to creating an environment where all neurotypes are respected and understood. My goal is to be a genuinely neuro-affirming therapist who is fully aware of systemic ableism. I believe in the neurodiversity paradigm and wholeheartedly embrace the social model of neurodiversity, which values differences rather than viewing them through a medical lens.
This commitment is more than just simply about offering physical accommodations like fidget toys or not expecting eye contact; it’s about being humble and continuously educating myself to prevent the spread of misinformation, advocating for neurodivergent young people, and actively contributing to changing the narrative.
Issues I often work with
Abuse
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Anger
Anxiety
Attachment concerns
Bereavement and loss
Childhood Trauma
Confidence issues
Conflict resolution
Depression and low mood
Emerging mental health conditions
Emotional regulation
Family relationships inc. separation and divorce
Identity
Illness
Neurodiversity (autism and ADHD)
Relationship and friendship difficulties
Self-harm
Self esteem
Sleep issues
School attendance difficulties
Suicidal ideation and behaviours
Trauma
Qualifications & Further Training
Dip. Counselling Adolescents (Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education, London), Distinction
Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools Practitioner (TISUK, London), Distinction
Certificate in Person Centred Counselling (CPCAB, Tunbridge Wells)
Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling (The Counselling Centre, Tunbridge Wells)
Certificate in Applied Transactional Analysis in Clinical Practice (The Link Centre, East Sussex)
Certificate in Understanding Adolescence (The Tavistock and Portman, London)
Certificate in Understanding Autism (Wakefield College, West Yorkshire)
Certificate in The Application of The Polyvagal Theory in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Temenos Education)
DNA-V (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents, DNA-V International)
Developmental Trauma for Professionals (Beacon House, East Sussex)
Numerous CPD particularly on neurodiversity
I abide by the code of practice and ethics of my membership organizations, NCPS and BACP.
I attend regular professional training to stay current with relevant developments in psychotherapy, neuroscience, and neurodiversity.
A clinical supervisor oversees my work regularly.
I have a full, up-to-date, enhanced DBS check for child and adult workforce.
I undertake yearly safeguarding training.
I am a member of the ICO.
I am GDPR compliant.
I am fully insured.
Contact details and location
Website
Location
Children's Wellness centre
72 Grosvenor Rd
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
TN1 2AS
Contact
By Appointment Only
Please email office@childrenswellnesscentre.co.uk
or ring 01892 320087