Lauren Carter

I currently have availability to see clients at Restoring Health based in Chart Sutton, near Maidstone, Kent.  I am available on Wednesdays during the day and can offer evening appointments on request.

I am also available for online video counselling.  Please contact me for my current availability. 

I am an Integrative Counsellor (MBACP) with a private practice in Chart Sutton, near Maidstone.  I work at Restoring Health supporting clients with pain and chronic pain.  I also volunteer at a local drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, supporting clients with addiction.

I aim to support you as an individual, to explore, at your own pace, personal or difficult issues that may be causing you pain or distress.  I work with adults and young people (16+) both in-person and online to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space.  

My experience working with mental and emotional well-being spans over 16 years.  I am experienced working with depression, anxiety, addiction, domestic abuse, self-esteem, loss, chronic pain, cancer, trauma and relationship issues.

I believe there isn’t just one therapeutic approach that can help you.   My flexible approach helps to foster a safe and nurturing environment for personal growth and healing.

Therapy can give you a safe space, where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions without judgement.

Being seen, believed and supported can help enormously. It can enable you to reach a place of acceptance and develop coping strategies.

My professionally accredited training and experience draws on techniques from different types of therapy, so I can tailor my work specifically to you.  I am trained in a number of modalities including Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Existential, Cognitive and Relational approaches. 

My practice also draws on embodied and somatic approaches to trauma, which means I use the body as a tool for deeper healing and self-awareness.  I also use mindfulness and breathing techniques, where appropriate, to support my clients with being present in the moment and transform the way they relate to and manage emotional and/or physical pain.

I abide by strict confidentiality guidelines, which prevent me from sharing any information from our sessions with others. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I abide by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

I offer a free 15 minute consultation before we meet in person, where you can discuss anything with me.  This may include what has bought you to therapy and what you are hoping to get from it.

Our first face-to-face session is an opportunity to meet each other and see how you feel about working with me. There are some standard questions I go through with every client, as well as explaining about confidentiality. Most of the session will be about giving you space to tell me what has bought you to therapy and us exploring together how it could help you. Any questions are welcome. We can also discuss any apprehension you may feel about therapy, alongside any expectations you may have.

There is no obligation to continue with sessions if you do not feel it is the right choice for you or if I feel I am not the right person for you.