Common Questions
About Counselling in Kent
You do not need to have everything worked out before you reach out. If you are thinking about counselling, it is natural to have questions — this page answers some of the things people often wonder before beginning therapy with Tracie.
“Do I need to know what to say?”
“Is counselling confidential?”
“What happens first?”
You do not need to know the right question.
Many people arrive unsure of what they need, what to say, or whether counselling is the right next step. That is completely normal. These answers are here to make the process feel a little less unknown — grouped by the kinds of things people usually want to know before they get in touch.
Starting Counselling
The questions people carry before they ever send that first message.
How do I know if I need counselling?
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. Many people come because anxiety, grief, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, past experiences or simply feeling stuck have started to affect daily life. If something feels heavier than it used to, or you would like support making sense of it, that is often reason enough. Explore the areas of counselling I work with
What happens in a first counselling session?
The first session is a calm, exploratory conversation rather than an assessment to get right. It is a chance to talk about what has brought you here, what you hope for, and to explore together whether you feel comfortable working with Tracie. There is no set script to follow. Read more about what to expect
Do I need to know what to say before I come?
No. People arrive in all sorts of states — unsure, emotional, quiet, or simply overwhelmed by everything they could say. Therapy can begin with whatever is present for you that day, even if that is just "I don't really know where to start."
What if I feel nervous about starting therapy?
That is a very common feeling, and it does not need to stop you from reaching out. Sessions move at a pace that feels safe enough, and you will not be expected to have everything prepared or explained clearly from the outset. Nervousness often eases once the first conversation is underway.
Do I need to have experienced trauma to come to counselling?
No. You do not need to have one obvious or dramatic trauma to deserve support. Sometimes people come to therapy because they feel anxious, stuck, disconnected, exhausted from pleasing others, or unsure where their own voice has gone. Therapy can help explore both what happened and what may have been missing.
Practical Details
The everyday questions about cost, timing and booking.
How much does counselling cost in Kent?
Sessions are £60 following your free initial consultation. Concessions are available for low income, keyworkers, OAPs, students, trainee counsellors, unemployed people and refugees — this can be discussed during your first session. Get in touch
How long does a counselling session last?
Regular counselling sessions are typically 50 minutes, held weekly where possible. Fortnightly sessions can sometimes be arranged depending on availability, and this can be discussed together as part of your ongoing work.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person. Some people come for short-term, focused support around a specific issue, while others prefer longer-term, open-ended work. There is no fixed number set in advance — the right length of time is something you can review together as you go.
How do I book a consultation?
You can book a free initial consultation through the contact page, where you'll find a short enquiry form. Tracie aims to respond within 48 hours to arrange a time that works for you.
How Therapy Works
What to expect once sessions are underway.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. What you share in sessions is private and confidential, with a small number of legal and ethical exceptions — such as a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, or a serious crime. These boundaries are explained clearly at the start of your work together, so there are no surprises. What to Expect
What if therapy feels hard or emotional?
Sometimes therapy stirs things up before they settle — this does not mean you are doing it "wrong." It can be a sign that something important is being touched on. Sessions move at a pace that supports both safety and genuine change, and you are never rushed further than feels manageable.
What is parts work?
Parts work is a way of understanding the different parts of ourselves that can show up in daily life — the part that keeps going, the part that feels anxious, the part that wants to please, the part that feels angry, or the part that learned to stay quiet. These parts often developed for understandable reasons. Therapy can help you listen to them with curiosity and compassion, rather than feeling at war with yourself.
What therapeutic approaches does Tracie use?
Tracie works integratively, with a strong interest in parts work, IFS-informed therapy and Voice Dialogue. This means therapy may involve gently getting to know the parts of you that protect, adapt, hide, please, keep going or carry pain. Tracie may also draw on person-centred therapy, Gestalt therapy and CBT where useful, always shaping the work around you rather than forcing you into a model. About Tracie's way of working
What if I am not sure counselling is helping?
That is worth talking about openly — the work should feel collaborative. You are welcome to say what feels helpful or unhelpful at any point, and sessions can be reviewed together so the approach can change if it needs to.
Ways to Access Support
Support can look different depending on what feels right for you.
Where are counselling sessions held?
Tracie offers face-to-face counselling from her private counselling space in St. Mary Hoo, near Rochester, Kent — her preferred and primary way of working. Walk and Talk sessions take place along the surrounding country lanes, and online counselling may be discussed where appropriate.
Do you offer walk and talk therapy in Kent?
Yes. Walk and Talk is an in-person way of working that takes place along the country lanes near St. Mary Hoo, Rochester, and can offer a different, often more spacious way to talk. These sessions need to be pre-booked and may require a short safety assessment beforehand. Contact Tracie
Do you offer online counselling?
Tracie's preferred way of working is face to face, as this allows the therapeutic relationship to develop in a grounded and personal way, at her private counselling space in St. Mary Hoo, Rochester. Online counselling may be available where appropriate — this can be discussed when you get in touch.
Choosing the Right Counsellor
Trusting someone with something personal is not a small decision.
How do I choose the right counsellor in Kent?
It is worth considering a counsellor's qualifications, professional registration, experience and approach, alongside practical things like fees and confidentiality. Just as importantly, notice whether the relationship feels safe enough to be honest in — this often matters more than any single credential. For many people, meeting face to face can help that relationship feel more grounded from the start, though the right format for you is something to talk through together. Meet Tracie · Read testimonials
Is Tracie a BACP registered counsellor?
Yes. Tracie is a BACP Registered Member (Registered Member 387941 MBACP), working within recognised professional standards and ethical practice. Read about Tracie's training and experience
Still Unsure Where to Begin?
That is alright. You do not need to have the right words, or even be certain counselling is the answer. A short message is enough to start a conversation — the rest can unfold from there.
Ask a question or say helloA Few Places to Continue
Your First Step Can Be Small
You are welcome to ask a question, book a free consultation, or simply begin with a few words about what has brought you here.