Sam Hughes

I have availability in Folkestone on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

I normally work in the afternoons and evenings. Contact me to discuss your preferred day, time and location.

Hello, I'm Sam and I'm a fully qualified counsellor who provides hope-filled, healing sessions to a range of clients in a comfortable setting in Folkestone, Kent. 

I am trained in a number of approaches to counselling, ranging from creative thinking to philosophical and spiritual discussions. I don't believe there is a 'one-size-fits-all' method to counselling, although I'm always rooted in the 'Person-Centred' philosophy; this means YOU lead the way in our sessions, and together we can find a way of working that suits your needs, and which is taken at a pace that is right for you.

Sessions are 50 minutes long, and usually occur at the same time each week. However, monthly 'check-in's are available as are more regular sessions for clients who feel the need for more intensive work.

I adhere to the BACP's Code of Ethics, I'm fully insured, and I am registered for Data Protection with the ICO. All my work is 100% confidential and I receive regular supervision to maintain the high standard you should expect from a loyal, professional, and trustable counsellor.

My Experience and Interests:

I welcome all clients over the age of 18 and I have experience working with bereavement and a range of mental health issues, plus I've provided many therapeutic hours in a drug and alcohol service, so my door is open to clients who struggle with a reliance on alcohol or other substances.
  I also have a strong interest in working with people who hear voices, and those who have unanswered questions about their gender or sexuality. 

Outside of counselling, my background features creative writing, music making, and a passion for nature and the great outdoors.

Life can be a confusing, scary, and sometimes lonely experience.
  Perhaps you're feeling stuck and are longing for movement and change; perhaps you feel as if time is whizzing along while your life is on hold. Maybe you've found yourself carrying the weight of unbearable loss, or maybe you're feeling anxious, or depressed, or both.
  Sometimes we find ourselves having to make a decision but we're not quite sure which path will serve us best... And sometimes we know what we need to do but we feel like we don't have all the pieces of the puzzle, or we're not quite feeling brave or confident enough to do it just yet.

Talking things through with a counsellor can help with all of these problems and more.
  Therapy gives you a space where you can hear yourself think, where you can lay everything out and see it with a fresh pair of eyes, and where a new perspective can become available to you.
  You may discover various patterns, strategies, habits, and beliefs that have served you in the past but are no longer working for you. By raising your awareness of the connection between your thoughts and behaviours, you can be empowered with the wisdom and courage to take control of your life and the decisions you make.

I believe that most of life's challenges boil down to relationships: your relationship with the world, your relationships with those around you, and most importantly your relationship with your self. By offering a trusting, reliable, non-judgemental, and fully confidential relationship with me as your counsellor, I invite you to meet yourself, to find peace and calm in your mind, and to learn to improve the way you relate with every element of your experience.

I offer a free face-to-face consultation which usually takes around 45 minutes. This session gives us the opportunity to talk about who we both are, to discuss our availability, and to clarify what can be expected from our work together.

If you decide you'd prefer to try a different counsellor, there is no obligation to work with me after our introductory meeting. But, if you do decide that we are a good match, then this can be a good time to choose a date and time that suits us both.

Alternatively I'm happy to carry out a phone consultation - please email me and let me know if this suits you better than meeting in person.