Welcome to Chris Greenaway Counselling

Hello, I’m Chris. Welcome. I am glad you're here.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, low or anxious? Maybe you are facing a significant change or finding it difficult to cope?

Would you like to be able to share how you feel with someone away from your circle of friends and family who will really listen, without judgement, who can help you feel less alone with your challenges?

I can offer you a space which is trusting, respectful and collaborative. I truly believe that we are the best experts of ourselves, but that sometimes we all need someone alongside us to help look at life’s challenges and changes. I can help you move towards a place where things make sense, there’s a way forward, and you feel in charge of your life.

Talking together and truly being listened to can be an empowering and transformative experience. Having the space to share may, in itself, provide relief. Beyond this though, counselling can help you to consider behaviours and beliefs which may have become a habit, but which now no longer serve you. It can allow you the space to gain fresh perspective on your life and your relationships, provide clarity, feel freer and better equipped to deal with what life throws at you.

About me

Before becoming a therapist, I spent much of my career working in the financial services industry. While that career offered much to stimulate me, something was missing for me, and I struggled, relying on unhelpful coping mechanisms to manage my feelings.

It was my own journey through therapy that transformed me and the way I saw struggle, healing, and human connection. My own therapy teach me that real change doesn't come from quick fixes or surface-level solutions. It comes from being seen, supported, finding the space to grow — something I hadn’t fully experienced until I went through it myself.

Over time, I realized what I was truly passionate about was helping people in a meaningful and lasting way. This led me to pursue the path of becoming a counsellor, and today, I feel grateful to do work that I love, which is aligned with my values - creating safe, supportive spaces with people during their hardest moments and helping them rediscover their strength.

My training and qualifications

I am trained in a humanistic, person-centred approach to counselling which emphasises our own capacity for personal growth and healing, focussing on creating an environment where we feel safe to explore your feelings and experiences, helping us to move towards positive change and self-acceptance.

I hold the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, have undertaken training in telephone and online counselling, and adult suicide prevention. I have worked as a volunteer counsellor in a local cancer support charity and at Mid-Kent Mind and am actively involved in addiction recovery groups. I have lived and professional experience in a wide variety of areas including;

• Addictions

• Anxiety

• Bereavement & loss

• Burnout and workplace difficulties

• Depression

• Family issues

• Identity and sense of self

• Life stages & transitions

• Loneliness

• Low confidence & self-esteem

• Personal growth & well-being

• Relationship issues

• Shame and guilt

• Stress

I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and am bound by their ethical framework, which includes attending regular supervision and ongoing professional and personal development.

I hold an enhanced DBS check and am fully insured.

Common Questions and Fees

What is counselling / therapy?

“Counselling” and “psychotherapy” are terms that are often used interchangeably. Some feel that counselling refers to short-term work and psychotherapy to working at depth on an open-ended basis, but generally, both are umbrella terms that cover a range of talking and listening-based methods for addressing psychological issues.

Through the process of talking – and being heard – in a safe, confidential space, we can gain a better understanding of our past and present conflicts, learn to appreciate and build up our own resources, and explore new perspectives and ways of being in the world. This might involve clarifying opportunities for growth and change or, conversely, exploring and coming to terms with areas we are unable or unwilling to change.

What is a “Person Centred” approach to counselling?

Person-centred counselling is one of the humanistic approaches. It was founded in the 1940s by the American psychologist Carl Rogers who believed that, given the right conditions, a person can reach their full potential and become their true self, which he termed ‘self-actualisation’. This actualisation process is innate and accessible to everyone.

When you’re attending counselling sessions with a person-centred counsellor, you’ll be encouraged to bring your own issues to the session – the counselling is led by you and not directed by the counsellor.

Many people, with no prior knowledge of counselling, believe that the counsellor will sort their problems out for them. A person-centred counsellor will help you to explore your own issues, feelings, beliefs, behaviour, and worldview, so you can become more self-aware and achieve greater independence. The work is a collaborative process which will help you to work through your own issues, build your self-confidence and appreciate that you always have options. You are treated as the expert on yourself, as no-one else knows exactly what it’s like to be you.

There is no judgement, no matter what you bring to the session. This helps build a trustworthy relationship in which you can feel free and supported to disclose whatever is troubling you. Eventually it will lead you to discover your own abilities and autonomy, so that you can cope with current and future problems.

What can I expect from the initial consultation?

Our first contact will be an initial telephone or email exchange where we can arrange an online consultation and will last up to 45 minutes.. During this time, we will get a sense of one another; you can tell me about yourself and why you’re seeking therapy. You can also ask any questions you may have about the therapy process. I will make some written notes during this session, but this will be the only time I make notes during our sessions. If, at the end of this meeting, you’d like to proceed with further sessions, we will talk about whether in-person or online meetings are best for you, and then agree the day, time, and cost.

What about the other sessions?

If, after the initial consultation, you decide to proceed with regular therapy, each session will be 50 minutes and will take place on a weekly basis at the same time each week.

This is your time, so sessions are client-led, and you are encouraged to take the lead exploring whatever is important to you. I will ask open-ended questions to guide the conversation in a way that helps you gain a clearer understanding of your emotions and identify patterns in your thinking. Through this supported exploration you will discover your own inner resources and develop your capacity for self-healing.

I offer a choice of in-person sessions from comfortable locations in central Tonbridge, or online.

Are sessions confidential?

I firmly believe that at the heart of effective therapy is the strength of our relationship. Key to this is trust, and confidentiality is an essential part of this.

I am bound by the ethical standards of the BACP. As such, I am required to attend regular supervision sessions with a qualified professional and may discuss our work in this context, though your identity will not be disclosed.

In accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I may be required to break our confidentiality agreement if your life, or the life of someone else, is in imminent danger, there is a child protection concern or if I am legally obliged to do so.

We can discuss any queries or concerns you have about confidentiality in our initial consultation, or at any time during the therapy process.

Fees

The initial online consultation is £25, and my standard fee is £60 per 50 minute session.

Let's talk

If you feel that what I’m offering could be a support to you, please get in touch by email or phone so we can start the conversation and arrange a suitable time for an initial free consultation.

Online Support

Flexible, secure video counselling sessions from the comfort of your home.

In-Person Sessions

Confidential counselling available in Tonbridge

Contact

Email: enquiries@chrisgreenaway.com

Phone: 07443 661004