Everyone needs a PLACE2TALK

Welcome image
Do you feel ‘stuck’ in life? Have you been signed off from work, college or university with anxiety or stress. Perhaps feeling low or depressed is preventing you from enjoying the ‘sunshine‘ moments of your life. For many reasons, life can be messy, often it’s simply not the way we‘d hoped or planned. Divorce, separation, job loss, bereavements and difficulties in relationships can lead to emotional suffering, anxiety and stress. Adverse childhood experiences, trauma and abuse (recent or historic) can cause suffering and confusion resulting in deep pain that can negatively affect mental well-being.


Counselling can help you navigate the difficulties that are causing emotional and mental suffering and provide support as you work towards building a more fulfilled and contented life. Counselling provides the opportunity to gain perspective and helps you consider how you would like to move forward in life. It can also help you understand yourself and others better, leading to a clearer understanding of your challenges. Life and well-being coaching are powerful tools for personal growth, helping you to navigate challenges, gain clarity, and align your actions with your true values. Whether you're facing difficult decisions, seeking greater fulfillment, or striving to reach your full potential, coaching offers a supportive space to explore your goals and overcome obstacles. Through this process, you'll reassess limiting beliefs, resolve inner conflicts, and develop a clearer sense of purpose. With a focus on self-discovery and practical strategies, coaching empowers you to create positive change and build a life that reflects your aspirations.

Shame is a common theme, often stemming from childhood. It is associated with many negative emotions, such as feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem and can lead to substance use, self-harm and suicidal behaviours. More often than not, shame leads to disconnection, from yourself and your emotions and also from others, leading to isolation. Living with shame can be lonely and demoralising however, healing the wounds of shame is possible. I will work with you to develop strategies and skills that will reduce and alleviate the negative impact of the difficulties affecting your day-to-day life. This can lead to positive changes for you, your family, your work life, and your relationships resulting in improved mental health and greater enjoyment of life.

My counselling room is located in Bournemouth, BH10 and is easily accessible from Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and surrounding areas.
I work 1-1, with individuals aged 16+, by appointment only.
I also work online throughout the UK and abroad.

CONTACT ME to book an intro call

MBACP & MACC Registered Counsellor - Life and Wellbeing Coach  Neuroaffirming & Trauma Informed

Hi I'm Kay,

I have specialised experience in working with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), Anxiety, Attachment Issues, Bereavement, Birth Trauma, Miscarriage & Baby Loss, Sexual Trauma & Rape, Domestic Violence and Pre-Trial support. I have worked with many clients who have been struggling with issues including: stress, relationship issues & life transitions (divorce, separation, redundancy, retirement, relocation etc), low self-esteem/shame, childhood neglect/abuse, chronic illness, PMS/PMDD/menopause, self-harm, panic attacks and issues relating to spirituality.

My focus is on providing support to help you build resilience and gain deeper insight into the factors impacting your mental well-being. By understanding and addressing these challenges, we will work collaboratively towards improving your emotional and mental health. Integrating CBT, Person Centred, and attachment theory and elements of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Systemic Theory enables me to create a personalised experience, specific to you.

Alongside my work at PLACE2TALK, I also work as a counsellor at STARS, a specialised Sexual Trauma Agency in Dorset, where I provide support to clients who have experienced recent sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse or domestic violence. I am also an associate counsellor at Poole Therapies where, amongst other clients, I work with students completing their MA/PhD research while on international placements.

Before training as a counsellor, I worked as the Family Liaison Officer for Family Counselling Trust (Dorset) and before that I was a swimming teacher. My working life has previously included roles as a Registered Midwife and Registered General Nurse. I am married with a grown-up family, and love living on the South Coast of England, where I enjoy walking my springer spaniel along the beach and in the surrounding countryside.

CONTACT ME to book an intro call


Yes. I am qualified, registered and insured. I also actively engage in regular CPD (continuous professional development) to maintain and continually enhance my professional practice.

Qualifications & professional registration

Continuing Professional Development 
2024
  • PESI - Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice: Transforming Development Deficits and Building Secure Attachment
  • PESI - Finding Meaning in Loss: The Sixth Stage of Grief
  • TRANSFORMATION Services - Professional Life Coach
  • SANDS - Counselling parents and families following pregnancy loss and the death of a baby
  • MAKE BIRTH BETTER- Birth Trauma Training Programme
  • BEAT - ARFID Workshop
  • NEDDE - Understanding and Managing ARFID, PDA and PICA Disorders
  • BIELEC CONSULTANCY - Domestic Abuse, Coercive Controlling Behaviour & Stalking
  • COLLABORATIVE COUNSELLING ACADEMY LTD - Working with Shame in the Therapy Room
  • (MUSS) REWIND Technique
2023
  • Safeguarding Level 3
  • Working with suicide, intervention & prevention
  • Applying Attachment Theory
  • Strength-based Interventions to Thrive with ADHD from Childhood to Adulthood
  • Integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) Across Clinical Applications
  • Treating Trauma with IFS: Procedures for Healing Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, and more
  • Single-session therapy
  • Gaslighting: Rebuild from a Narcissist's Emotional Abuse
  • JANINA FISCHER - Trauma Treatment Certification Training (CCTP)
  • CHRISTIANE SANDERSON - Intensive Course in Trauma-Informed Practice: Treating Complex PTSD
  • PESI: Pregnancy and Infant Loss: Strategies to Support Grief and Treat Trauma
  • BLUESTAR- Pre-Trial Therapy Training Programme
2022
  • CPCAB: Trauma Informed Practice
  • PACT - Working with Gestalt techniques
  • Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model
  • PACT - Working Creatively with Nesting Dolls in Counselling
  • PACT - Attachment and Shame
  • PACT - Building Boundaries Breaking Barriers
2021
  • Telephone and E-counselling
  • BACP/OU Counselling online
2020
  • CRUSE: Bereavement Support Training
  • Safeguarding, Level 2

Extra
  • Enhanced DBS
  • Insurance
  • ICO Registered

Counselling is a collaborative and empowering process, and the goal is to help you build resilience, gain self-awareness, develop coping strategies, and improve your overall mental health and well-being.

Our first session together will include an initial assessment, which may involve exploring your history, relationships (past and present), and mental wellbeing. We will also discuss your goals and expectations so that, together, we can determine the most appropriate course of action. We will agree to regularly review your goals and progress. During your sessions, we will work together to explore and address your concerns and work towards achieving your goals. We may talk about emotions, relationships and experiences, practice different coping techniques and strategies, set goals, and create action plans.

Your counselling sessions will normally be booked for the same day and time every week. However, I will seek to offer flexibility, if possible. Counselling can be short or long term. After our initial appointment you can book a regular time slot very week.

Counselling can cover any life-area, at times it can feel a bit like untangling a giant knotted ball of string, so determination and commitment are often required. It can take a bit of time to ‘settle’ into the process and it’s important to know that as we work together through issues and emotions, it can, at times, feel as though things are getting worse. For most people this feeling is temporary and most people begin to experience progressive improvement to their well-being.
Coaching is a dynamic and collaborative process designed to empower you to reach your full potential, both personally and professionally. The aim of coaching is to help you gain clarity, set meaningful goals, overcome obstacles, and achieve the success you desire in various areas of your life.

Our first session will focus on understanding your current situation, identifying your aspirations, and setting clear, achievable goals. We will explore your strengths, challenges, and any barriers that may be holding you back. Together, we will create a customised action plan that outlines the steps you need to take to move forward. We will regularly review your progress and adjust the plan as needed to ensure that you stay on track.

Coaching sessions are typically scheduled on a regular basis, often weekly or bi-weekly, to maintain momentum and provide consistent support. However, I strive to offer flexibility to accommodate your schedule and needs. Coaching can be short-term, focusing on specific goals, or long-term, allowing for deeper exploration and sustained growth.

Coaching can cover a wide range of areas, from career development and leadership to personal growth and life transitions. The process may involve identifying limiting beliefs, building confidence, enhancing skills, and creating strategies to overcome challenges. At times, the journey may feel challenging as you step out of your comfort zone, but this is often where the most significant growth occurs.

It’s important to approach coaching with commitment and an open mind, as the process requires active participation and a willingness to embrace change. While it may take time to see results, most clients experience a sense of progress and empowerment as they work towards their goals.
Payment can be made by BACS transfer and is required in full 48hrs before your appointment.

You can block book your sessions if that is helpful.

Subject to availability you can book different days/times each week to accommodate shift work or other responsibilities.

If you are unable to attend a booked session, please notify me as soon as possible and I will seek to find an alternative date/time.

Late notifications, within 24 hours of your appointment, will be charged the full fee.

I am occasionally able to offer reduced fee sessions, for students or those on low income. Please contact me to enquire if I have any availability to offer this. 
Yes. There is free and unlimited parking on the road opposite or surrounding roads.
Please do not park on the driveway as access is required. 
No. I stagger the session times so you should not meet anyone on arrival or leaving of your sessions.
Generally it is inappropriate to have anyone else other than the counsellor and the client in the session unless it is specifically a couples or family session, which I do not currently offer.

If you have children you will need to make arrangements for them to be cared for whilst you are at your session appointment.

If a family member or friend is driving you to your appointment, they are welcome to wait in their car outside of the building or there are some cafes nearby where they could buy a drink.

No. Most clients self-refer. However, I do accept referrals from GP’s, charities and other local counsellors.
The counselling room is on the ground floor. There are 2 low steps at the front door. The front door is wide but not accessible for a wheelchair.

These are just some of the areas/concerns I work with

SUPERVISION
1-1 and group supervision will be availble from July 2025.
If you are a qualified counsellor or counselling student looking for a supervisor, please contact me for more info.
Limited spaces will be available

£60 per session

In-person

I have a calm, comfortable, and private room. Free parking is available. There are two steps at the entrance of the property, and my room is on the ground floor.

Online

I will send a link to my secure web room. No software to download. Sessions can be online every week or can be occasional if you are unable to attend an in-person session.

Telephone

Telephone counselling provides an opportunity to explore a personal difficulty without the need to travel. We can arrange a one-off telephone session if needed.

Navigating Uncertainty: A Counsellor’s Perspective on the UK Budget

  •  28/10/2024 10:16 AM

This blog explores the impact of the UK Budget on mental wellbeing, offering insights into managing financial stress and uncertainty. It provides practical tools for emotional resilience, highlights free UK resources for financial and mental health support, and reminds readers of the importance of self-care and community connection during challenging times.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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Mental Health Awareness Month

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A Self-help Guide and Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month

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Mindfulness can break negative thought patterns, reduce stress, and improve your overall mental health.

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The most wonderful time of year? 10 ideas to reduce the Christmas stress.

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ADHD

  •  22/04/2023 03:50 PM

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a significant number of children and adults worldwide. Counselling can be a valuable tool, offering support to manage symptoms effectively.

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Chronic Pain

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Chronic pain can have a significant impact on mental health, leading to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression.

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Coming soon

    Contact me for my availability kay@place2talk.co.uk 07858 984519 

    Submit the contact form and I will reply, or send me an email to enquire about my availability.

    We will need to arrange a time for a 15 minute phone call to discuss your needs (this is free of charge). During the phone call, you can give me a brief outline of what is bringing you to counselling so that I can check if I am the right counsellor to work with you. You can also ask questions about how I work to help you decide if you would like to work with me. ​We can decide whether to work together in-person or online.

    Following the call, you are not obligated to book a session. However, if I am able to offer you a mutually acceptable date and time to start your counselling sessions, I will endeavour to hold the session time for 72 hours if possible.

    Your contact information is treated as confidential and not used by third parties. Please let me know on the form if you have a preferred method for me to reply.

    I'm in crisis, I need to talk now
    If you are in crisis now believing your own, or someone else's, life to be in danger please dial 999.
    Alternatively organisations who can speak with you now are listed below.
    Samaritans: Free call 116 123
    SANEline: 0300 304 7000
    Papyrus HOPELINEUK: 0800 068 4141 (suicide prevention)
    CRUSE Bereavement Support Helpline: 0808 808 1677
    SHOUT - Text Support Service: 85258
    National Domestic Violence Freephone 24 Hour Helpline 0808 2000 247/Text: NCDV to 60777