Meet Kes

What's your theoretical approach  to counselling?

I'm a holistic practitioner. What that means is that I see the workings of the psyche as belonging to one, complex, living whole, made up of many parts in inter-dependent systems. I aim to guide clients into experiencing the potential for greater harmony and vitality, as they grow awareness, discover and learn to relate with deeper kindness to the aspects or inner 'parts' of themselves that may benefit from healing and growth through having their needs met. Some of this work is informed by my ongoing studies in Trauma-Sensitive HeartMath i.e. self-regulation techniques based in the neuroscience of heart-brain coherence, as well as other modalities including Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, and Non-Violent Communication.  

What is your professional background?

My core, holistic approach arises from my training in humanistic and psycho-spiritual counselling at the Sweet Track Centre, where I built on my earlier person-centred and integrative counselling trainings, to develop my own individual, embodied, and transpersonal way of practising. I have practised in community mental health, education, LGBTQ+ and refugee support settings with adults, younger people and the elderly. My private practice is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and accredited by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. I practise in online therapy, outdoor eco-therapy, supervision, coaching and consultancy. I also hold a diploma in holistic body massage, and I am an experienced mindfulness practitioner and therapeutic group facilitator. 

What do you believe about psychological healing, happiness and well-being?

Healing emotional pain and sorrow is a slow and gradual process, and there is no happily-ever-after. Happiness is mostly an inside job, and in some ways, it's ongoing 'work' everyday. I believe this inner work is best assisted by sparking a connection to any of the regenerative qualities of the heart, which are revered cross-culturally in ancient philosophical and spiritual traditions, developed by our human ancestors over thousands of years. These subtle, emotional qualities include openness, calm, presence, acceptance, appreciation, care, compassion, confidence, creativity and gratitude.

Feelings that deplete our well-being, such as anger, fear, shame, and apathy, are essential biological indicators that we can use to navigate toward meeting our needs. Uncomfortable feelings are useful and important points on your internal, emotional compass that signals unmet needs. It's possible to reduce various forms of psychological distress, when clients are able to focus on the feelings that they are experiencing, and find their way to their true north. 

As a therapist, it's my role to assist clients to explore their internal terrain. I may listen, offer reflections and suggestions. I may ask questions that support them to take care of feelings, with the hope that I will help each person discover what would make life more wonderful, and take meaningful steps towards that.

I am open-minded about individual and diverse expressions of well-being, happiness, spirituality, relationships, and self-development. I hope to empower people to ease their worries, and to lead their lives, wholeheartedly.