Welcome to Abbi Bradford Counselling
Listening and support when you need it most
My Counselling Style
The power of talking to someone in a non-judgemental environment can't be underestimated, but having a dedicated time for self-reflection, where you feel supported and validated, can be hard to come by.
My counselling style gives you the conditions you need to start talking about what really matters. Whether this is worries about relationships, feelings of stress or anxiety, struggles with own your self-esteem or problems with processing anger or grief: counselling can give you the freedom to explore suppressed thoughts and feelings and the opportunity to be really heard, perhaps for the first time.
As your counsellor I won't give you advice, but I can help you to find your own answers and empower you to trust your innate capabilities. My role is to gently encourage you to explore new possibilities: to question patterns of behaviour, assumptions and defences; to help get to the bottom of what may be holding you back, and enable you to find a way forward. Alongside this I offer a safe space to contain overwhelming emotions: helping you to feel supported and validated when you need it most.
My counselling style is relational which means that the relationship we build in the therapy room is of central importance to our work. The way we interact with each-other can reflect your relationships outside of the therapy room, perhaps offering new insight into what you may need or lack in your own support network. Sometimes it may even highlight the ways in which you hold back from others. If we can be 'real' with each other in the room then we open up possibilities for deeper trust, empathy and understanding, putting you on the path towards healing.
1 . The first step
Please get in touch by filling out my enquiry form, to give me an idea of what brings you to counselling at this time, and what form of counselling (either face to face or online) would suit you best. You can give me as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with. Your enquiry and personal information is dealt with sensitively and securely and treated as confidential.
2 . A time that suits
I’ll then make contact to arrange a day and time for our first session and send you a contact details form for you to fill out and return.
If you would prefer to have an informal chat with me before committing to therapy I offer a free 20 minute ‘getting to know me’ phone call.
3 . Your first session
At your first session I will complete a more in-depth assessment with you, to give me an overview of your situation and put me in the picture about your existing support network.
We’ll then take some time go through the practicalities of the therapy together and discussing our mutual expectations, which will be laid out in a therapeutic contact. This will lay the foundations for your counselling sessions.
About me
I am a BACP registered therapist offering online counselling and face to face counselling sessions in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
My counselling style is integrative and relational, bringing together elements of several different psychotherapy approaches, including person-centred, psychodynamic, cognitive and existential.
After a career as a museum curator I trained to become a counsellor at the NHS-affiliated Inter-Psyche Training Institute for Counselling and Psychotherapy studies in Dartford, completing placements at various charities before launching my own private practice.
I have a keen interest in all aspects of mental health and wellbeing and I am particularly passionate about the role of the arts in mental health.
Level 6 Diploma with credit - Integrative Counselling: Inter-Psyche Institute, Centre for Counselling & Psychotherapy studies (BACP accredited)
TA101 (Transactional Analysis): Wealden Psychology Institute
Counselling Skills: Wealden Psychology Institute (BACP accredited)
Mental Health First Aider: MHFA England
Issues that I can help with
People come to counselling for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that I offer support with:
Stress
Attachment issues
Life changes
Relationship problems
Low confidence or self-esteem
Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Sexuality
Conflict
Grief, loss or bereavement
Work-related problems
Abuse
Family difficulties
Fees & Availability
My counselling sessions are either face to face or online, and are offered on a 1:1 basis.
I offer an initial free 20 minute 'get to know me' phone call, to help you to decide if I am the right person to help you and after this my sessions are charged at £50 per session. Counselling sessions last 50 minutes, which is known as a 'therapeutic hour'.
Counselling sessions are held weekly at the same day and time. I offer open-ended therapy, so there is no limit to the number of sessions I offer, but I tend to work in 6 week 'blocks' which enables me to review regularly to make sure that the counselling is giving you what you need, and is going in the right direction for you.
I offer face to face sessions on Wednesday evenings, and online sessions on a Tuesday and Friday evenings, but other dates and times may be available. Please get in touch to discuss availability.
Location & Accessibility
I see clients at The Spring Rooms, a calm and tranquil holistic therapy space situated in the Pantiles: the historic heart of Tunbridge Wells. The Spring Rooms is just a short walk away from Tunbridge Wells Railway station and there is ample car parking next door at Linden Park Road Carpark.
My therapy room is on the first floor of the Spring Rooms and unfortunately there is no lift access due to the historic nature of the building.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about counselling or would like to book an appointment with me please fill out this short form. I will make contact with you with you as soon as possible by phone or email (please let me know your preferred method of contact).
Alternatively you are welcome to give me a call on 07745 285133. If I am unavailable please leave a voicemail and I will get back to you as soon as possible (no later than 2 working days).
I look forward to hearing from you.