Counselling and Psychotherapy in Tunbridge Wells.
Experienced, professional and individual therapy for adults and adolescents.
People seek therapy for different reasons. You may be struggling with anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, trauma or difficulties in relationships. You may have ADHD or be autistic and feel that other people don't fully understand the way you experience the world.
Sometimes there isn't a clear explanation. You may simply know that something in your life isn't working and that you would like it to change.
I am Malcolm Kennedy, an experienced BACP- accredited counsellor and psychotherapist based in Tunbridge Wells. I work with adults and adolescents, providing a confidential and non-judgemental environment in which we can explore the difficulties you are experiencing. I have particular experience working with neurodivergent clietns and people experiencing more complex psychological difficulties.
How I work
My approach is integrative. This means that I don't expect every client to fit one particular model. Instead I adapt the way I work according to the individual and what they need from therapy.
Our first converation usually begins very simply: what has brought you to see me?
From there, I will ask questions and begin to understand both what is happening now and the experiences that have brought you to this point.
I believe that our past is important because it affects how we experience the present. Understanding earlier experiences and recurring patterns can help us make sense of thoughts, feelings, relationships and behaviours tha may be otherwise difficult to understand.
My approach is gentle, exploratory and, when appropriate, direct.
My work includes helping people experiencing:
Anxiety, worry and overthinking
Anxiety can take many forms, including persistent worry, panic attacks, intrusive or obssessive thoughts, fears and difficulty switching off.
Therapy can help us understand what is maintaining the anxiety and develop different ways of responding to it.
Relationships and self esteem
Difficulties in relationships can leave us feeling frustrated, rejected, misunderstood or unceratin about ourselves.
I work with individuals and couples experiencing relationship difficulties and with people stuggling with confidence, self esteem, anger or recurring patterns in their relationships.
Trauma and difficult experiences
Past experiences can continue to affect how we feel and respond long after the original event.
I work with people experiencing the effects of trauma and PTSD and can incorporate EMDR where this is appropriate.
ADHD and autism
I have particular experience and a strong interest in working with people with ADHD, autism and other forms of neurodiversity.
I recognise that neurodivergent people can experience the world very differently and may have spent years trying to adapt to expectations that don't fit the way they naturally think and function.
Adults and young people with ADHD and autism can experience anxiety, emotional difficulties, problems with relationships, low self esteem or a sense of being misunderstood.
Therapy provides an opportunity to explore these experiences without assuming that there is a single way you ought to think or feel.
My approach to therapy
I believe effective therapy begins with a relationship in which you feel able to speak openly and without fear of judgement.
I will listen carefully, but therapy with me me is not simply about sitting and listening. We will work together to understand what may be contributing to your difficulties, recognise patterns that may be keeping you stuck and consider ways in which things might change.
Different people need different things from therapy. Some people want to understand themselves and their past more deeply. Others come with a particular problem they would like addressing.
My integrative approach is therefore adapted to the individual rather than expecting every client to fit one particular method of therapy.
As a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
I abide by the principles of good practice outlined in the Ethical Framework of the BACP.
Where I Can Help
My particular areas of focus include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Attacks
- Stress
- Sexuality
- Addictions
- Low self esteem
- Relationships
- Self assertiveness
- General Anxiety Disorder
- PTSD -EMDR
- Obsessions and compulsions
- ADHD
- ASD
Location
My counselling practice is in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and it is within easy reach of Tonbridge,
Sevenoaks and Crowborough.
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Address: Tunbridge Wells, TN2 . Parking available.