Katie Balcombe

BACP Accredited Integrative Therapist | EMDR | Couples Therapy

Hi there,

I am a fully qualified, experienced Integrative Therapist and an Accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

I offer therapy for individuals and couples, both online (via Zoom) and in person from my Tunbridge Wells practice.

Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious or unsure how to move forward, therapy offers a space to explore what may be going on beneath the surface.

Together we can look at the patterns and root causes that may be affecting your emotions, relationships or sense of self, and find a way forward that feels more manageable and meaningful.

I work as an Integrative Therapist, meaning that I have been trained in a number of different therapeutic approaches and combine these in a way that best suits my clients’ needs.

This approach acknowledges that each person is completely unique and requires their own individualised style of therapy.

Please see the headings above to find out more and answer any questions you may have.

Then please feel free to contact me via email to arrange an initial consultation where we can decide together on how best to meet your needs.

what my clients say

Katie helped me realise that while I can’t control others or the circumstances that arise in my life, I do have control over how I manage my own emotions. She taught me valuable techniques for self-soothing and self-regulation, which have made a profound difference in how I handle challenges. I’m grateful for the insight and tools she provided to help me navigate life with more balance and calm.
I recently had the privilege of working with Katie, and I can honestly say that it was a game changer, As a 49 year old male juggling work and marriage, I was facing significant challenges in both, with Katie’s guidance, I was able to identify and address my underlying issues, this helped me find balance. Thank you
I initially sought therapy after my wife told me I was emotionally unavailable, and that she was considering therapy or divorce. Katie guided me through understanding and working with the different parts of myself, helping me recognise these as my protector parts. With her support, I was able to meet these parts, understand why they emerged, and transform my responses. This has not only helped me personally, but also improved my relationship with my wife. Thank you, Katie, for helping me make these meaningful changes.
Katie has been a lifesaver for me over the past few months. She is an incredible counsellor and is extremely caring, compassionate and knowledgeable. She has really helped me to work through some difficult issues in my life and I would highly recommend her services to anyone seeking counselling.
Katies compassionate and nurturing approach created a safe space for me to explore and reconnect with my inner child. Katie gently guided me through memories and emotions from my past, helping me understand how they continue to impact my present life.
Since working with Katie, I have faced my past and have learnt to be kinder to myself. I have put in place boundaries. I am still on a journey but I am so much more at peace with the person I am now.
I just wanted to say thank you. Your support and guidance have meant the world to me during our sessions. You’ve helped me navigate through some rough patches and gain valuable insights along the way.
Katie is so easy to talk to, she really listens to what I have to say, she has helped me work through my problems in a positive way, I would highly recommend Katie as a counsellor.
I have never worked with a counsellor before, Katie made me feel at ease, I liked my weekly sessions with her, she really helped me to understand my feelings and behaviours, particularly my anger.

WHY USE A COUNSELLOR?

We all experience times in our lives when things begin to feel unmanageable and we feel as if we are struggling to cope. Perhaps feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anger or fear are overwhelming you? Or perhaps your thoughts and feelings are making it difficult for you to function in your job or in your relationships? Or maybe it’s less clear and you are finding it difficult to make the changes you want to make in your life? If these or similar thoughts and feelings feel familiar then it will help to talk to a professional.

Often we try talking about how we feel to friends or family but this is not always appropriate, or helpful. You can begin to feel as if you do not understand how you feel, or why you feel the way you do. Talking to a trained, experienced professional who is impartial and skilled in counselling will help you to work through your difficulties and find your own solutions.

Counselling and therapy are often referred to as the “talking cure.” Sometimes people find it hard to imagine how talking with someone can alleviate suffering, yet time and again they find it does. It is important to feel free to speak your mind without fear of being judged, where you feel you can trust that what you have to say will be received with respect, thought about carefully and responded to with empathy. This in itself is a profoundly healing experience.

Counselling is a therapeutic partnership in which I will help you to explore your feelings, thoughts and behaviours in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental way. This process is not about giving you advice but about providing you with the space and support you need to find your own answers. Realising this will enable you to feel that you have the inner resources you need to have greater control over your life and to live in a more satisfying and positive way.

My Expertise

Alongside my private practice, I have worked with adults across a range of settings, including educational environments and within the charitable and voluntary sector. This has included offering both short and long-term therapy to individuals experiencing a wide range of life challenges and emotional difficulties.

I regularly engage in continuing professional development and specialist training in areas including trauma, grief and loss, shame, suicide and self-harm, addiction, somatic approaches and EMDR. I attend regular clinical supervision with an accredited supervisor, hold full professional indemnity insurance, and am a Bupa Recognised Therapist.

My approach is trauma-informed and relational, and I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities to respond thoughtfully to what each client uniquely needs.

Alongside my integrative practice, I also offer Couples Therapy and EMDR.

Working with Couples

Sometimes in our relationships we can lose our way and find it difficult to communicate what is going on for us, Partners may find it difficult to talk to one another, or they may feel distant. Or perhaps something has happened to change how they feel about one another.

Many couples come to therapy because there has been a crisis in the relationship, shared life goals have changed or because there are communication difficulties.

I will teach you new ways to communicate as a couple. Focussing on positivity, without blame or shame. Simply being heard and listened to by your partner can be profoundly positive for both your relationship and you as individuals. You may not always agree, but there is great value in your differences to be found. I will try to help you identify any barriers that are stopping you from reaching your relationship goals.

Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partner can allow you both to take accountability for what you are bringing (or not bringing) to your relationship. In your sessions we will calmly explore your current problems in a constructive way and consider how you would like to change your relationship for the better. Working as a couple towards realistic, manageable goals. For those who choose to part ways I will aim to help you both work amicably for a satisfactory closure.

I work with couples, whatever their sexual orientation.

EMDR Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that helps people process distressing or overwhelming experiences that may still be affecting them in the present.

Sometimes difficult experiences can become “stuck”, leaving us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally reactive or caught in patterns that no longer serve us. EMDR helps the brain process these memories so they become part of your story rather than something that continues to shape your daily life.

As an Integrative Therapist, I use EMDR alongside my wider therapeutic approach, tailoring therapy to each person’s individual needs. Before beginning EMDR, we’ll spend time understanding your experiences and ensuring you feel safe, supported and ready. If we decide together that EMDR is the right approach, we’ll work at a pace that feels manageable for you.

I have trained through an EMDR Europe-accredited training programme and continue to develop my practice through specialist supervision and ongoing professional development.

Areas I Can Help With

Anxiety and panic

Trauma and PTSD

Depression and low mood

Relationship difficulties

Low self-esteem and self-criticism

Grief and loss

 

Stress and overwhelm

Attachment difficulties

Emotional regulation

Life transitions

Addiction

Young adults (18+)

WHAT TO EXPECT

Sessions are usually weekly and last for 50 minutes for individuals and 60 minutes for couples. 

This depends on what your needs are. This is something that we would decide together following our initial consultation. The most important thing is we make progress together.

Individuals £70.00 (50 minutes) 
Couples £90.00 (60 minutes) 
Payable in advance or at the end of the session. 

In line with the BACP ethical code of practice I treat all contact with you and information disclosed to me as confidential.

It is important to understand that confidentiality is limited by legal obligations and issues relating to the serious and immediate risk of harm to yourself or others. In such instances , I would encourage you to make the disclosure first through the appropriate channels, or seek help from appropriate outside agencies, and I would support you through this process.

Counsellors have different approaches and the most important thing is to find someone that you feel you can connect with and talk to, irrespective of their theoretical orientation. The initial consultation is a mutual process and as such it is also an opportunity for you to decide whether you feel comfortable with me. There is no obligation to continue at this stage.

Contact

Offering counselling both in person and online.

Email:  info@katiebalcombecounselling.co.uk

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