Our Locations - Swanley
Michael Sewell
Swanley PracticeCouple Therapy Swanley
Thank you for being here. My name is Michael Sewell and I am a fully accredited couple counsellor, with over 8 years’ experience specialising in relationship therapy. I hold a Master’s Degree in Relationship Therapy and I’m fully accredited with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
I understand that this might be a challenging time for you. Therefore, my aim is to support you in achieving your couple therapy goals throughout this counselling process. RelationshipcCounselling can evoke a wide range of emotions as we explore different themes and aspects of your life. It’s important to remember that many individuals have experienced similar emotions, and it’s completely natural to feel and express them during our sessions.
During our time together, this space will provide you with an opportunity to gain insight, understand and learn. Along with having the time to reflect on your own experiences. Both of you will have the chance to express your concerns and discuss the issues that are important to you.
Relationships often involve multiple factors that can impact them. Together, we will explore each of these components, examining how they manifest in your daily life and the roles they play.
I’m here to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment as we navigate this relationship therapy journey together.
How couple therapy can help
- You will gain a deeper understanding of your partner through effective communication techniques.
- I will help you overcome relationship barriers by identifying and addressing personal triggers that hinder communication and intimacy.
- We will establish healthy boundaries for a stronger and more fulfilling relationship.
- I will support you in exploring the impact of attachment styles on your relationship dynamics.
- To discover your love language, to better help you and your partner identify how you both like to receive love from each other.
- You will experience a safe and non-judgmental environment where you can freely discuss your relationship concerns in complete confidentiality.
Background/experience
I have over 8 years of counselling experience and have successfully completed a Master’s degree in a course founded by ‘Relate’. Following my education, I continued working with Relate for several years. Throughout my career, I have worked with diverse couples spanning various ages, backgrounds, cultures and religious beliefs.
Additionally, I have provided counselling services to individual adults, young individuals (aged 10-25) and families. This was in both the charity sector and private practice. I also have experience in coaching clients to help them achieve their personal goals.
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Relationship Therapy
- Fully Accredited with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
- Fully Accredited with NCPS (National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society) previously NCS (National Counselling Society)
- Life Coaching Essential CPD
Ethical Standards
I hold accreditation from the BACP and adhere to their ethical standards in my practice. Additionally, I engage in clinical supervision and maintain professional indemnity insurance.
If you would like to make an appointment to see Michael for couple therapy Swanley. Please contact him via Relationship Counselling Kent today. Book Now
Lorna Ashley
Swanley PracticeRelationship Counselling Swanley
My name is Lorna Ashley and I’m a qualified ‘Integrative Counsellor’ based at Relationship Counselling Swanley. ‘Integrative’ means I’m flexible in the way I work and use the best possible approach to achieve the outcome you choose.
Whether you decide that you want to stay together or want help in separating my aim is to promote a positive transition for change, fulfilment and self-awareness.
I have extensive experience in both relationship and individual counselling. I’m also a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
My experience
I have been practicing for a number of years both in private practice and for two charitable organisations, where my work focusses on bereavement and suicide. I am also clinical lead supervisor which means I advise other counsellors with elements of their work.
About relationships
Life happens and it’s not always kind. The things we thought we had a handle on and believed we could cope with, can suddenly seem uncertain, confusing and overwhelming. We might experience thoughts and feelings which leave us feeling unable to make sense of it all. Your inner world can be very different to your external world. How you feel you have to be seen or heard can lead to conflicting emotions within your relationship.
Very few relationships are conflict-free. When one of our most important relationship begins to falter, our health and happiness often suffers. Whilst many couples might try and work through their problems alone, it’s difficult when emotions are running high. Therefore, it can be incredibly useful to seek outside professional help.
How I can help
Together we will look at what lies behind the current difficulties from both your perspectives by paying attention both to the past and the present. In order to bring about change you desire.
My role as a relationship therapist is to facilitate change and resolution by helping you both communicate more effectively and reach your own conclusions under the guidance of a professional.
Whatever your age, background, race or culture, you are not alone. Together we can go walk the journey and explore what could be going on for you both. Being heard and talking freely in a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space can be incredibly empowering in understanding who you are and how you can be more true to you within your relationship, whilst navigating your own path for growth and development.
I am passionate in what I do and committed to working ethically and safely with my clients to overcoming the challenges that we are presented with.
Ethical standards
I subscribe to and work within the BACP ethical framework alongside undertaking regular professional development and supervision. I also hold professional indemnity insurance.
If you would like to make an appointment to see Lorna at Relationship Counselling Swanley. Please contact her via Relationship Counselling Kent today. Request to see Lorna
Problems we can help you with
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Jealousy and Suspicion
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Stale Relationships
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Relationship Break Up’s or Divorce
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Pre-Marital/Pre-Living Together Counselling
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The Impact of Pornography
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Dealing with the Death of a Partner
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Intimacy Problems
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Infidelity or Affairs
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'Stuck' Relationships
Reviews
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Jackie Hare My husband and I were both very nervous and unsure of what our session with Jackie would be. We were quickly reassured and had everything explained to us. Jackie is wonderful, she is the perfect mix of funny, reassuring and knowledgeable. My husband and I were in a rut, Jackie helped us to see the importance of us again. We would not hesitate to use Jackie's services again if the need arises, however, using the tools she equipped us with we both believe we won't need to. Jackie helped us talk to each other about things we would never have done so without her help. We are proud of us for going to marriage counselling but we feel very lucky to have met Jackie and used her amazing guidance.
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Jackie Hare Dear Jackie, I can't thank you enough for all your help during our sessions. You have given me the tools and skills I need to move forward in a positive way. I particularly liked the way you had saved notes from my first contact for counselling so that at the end we could re-cap and ensure all my issues had been worked through. Having the notes from you has really helped too as I like to be able to read through them so that I don't forget anything important that we talked about. What was really interesting is the way you helped me to work through my problems rather than just suggesting solutions to me. I enjoyed my "eureka" moments where suddenly a penny would drop and I would see something from a completely different perspective. And as far as those eureka moments go, I still have them - do you remember we talked about how unrealistic a lot of those romantic comedies are particularly from the 80s and 90s and I realised recently that a lot of pop songs can be exactly the same if you listen to the lyrics. I listen and watch now with a very different point of view! Not sure if you found it online but the documentary called Romantic Comedy by Elizabeth Sankey is really interesting to watch. Thanking you so much, Best wishes, Neana x
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Jackie Hare Jackie helped us at a time when we were approaching rock bottom in our relationship. We both found her to be friendly, very approachable and reassuring. She helped us to communicate at a much deeper level and to understand the other's point of view. We would thoroughly recommend Jackie to any couple going through relationship difficulties.
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Kathy Hoggart Kathy Hoggart is amazing! With Kathy’s help my husband and I are back ‘on track’. Kathy reassured us that both of our feelings count and because of this Kathy gained our trust instantly. Kathy quickly helped us to identify what could be causing our issues and how we can use simple techniques and solutions to resolve/manage/accept them. Kathy had a very thoughtful approach throughout our sessions so that they were well planned and logical but also free flowing and flexible and without her being overbearing or dictating the pace. We had quick exercises that we willingly did in between our sessions that also really helped with our conversation during them. The support Kathy gave us to resolve our issues was superb. The tips and encouragement Kathy gave us helped us to work well together during the sessions. We were also able to work independently so that we made good progress from one session to the next. We are still using those tips now and we still remind each other when we need to of the wonderful guidance Kathy gave so that we can continue to benefit from it whenever we need to.
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Kaye Barney I have recently been helped by Kaye Barney and through my sessions I can honestly say I have felt improvement. She helped create a open and friendly platform in which we could discuss the relevant topics that helped ease my overall stress and anxiety. I would recommend Kaye very highly and I would not hesitate to book further sessions if I felt the need. I would also recommend the online sessions and found them far less stressful that adding extra travel to my day.
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Tim Gilbert
For Julie and I, counselling was an opportunity for change. We knew we were stuck and needed the time, the tools, the space, the bravery and impetus to begin the process of change. Tim gave us what we needed and at a pace we could manage. Tim joined with us in our exploration so the Julie-and- I duo became a trio with Tim; working together to resolve our issues. After each session we felt empowered to take away what we had discussed so that we may consider this in greater depth in our own time. He was never the passive wall or mirror (which would have irritated and blocked our learning) but an active participant in our striving to move forward .
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Trish Mayne
"Thank you for a really good session Trish. We were feeling really stuck for a time. You listened and helped pull us back into a place where we could think and makes things feel better. We are very glad we chose to turn to you for guidance. "
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Elaine Brown
"Thank you so much for everything you have done to help the situation with our marriage. We have learnt a lot but still have a way to go but you have helped more than we can of expected"
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Elaine Brown
"Just to say Thank you for your help, it has been invaluable and it was wonderful confiding in someone so warm and non-judgemental. The sessions were priceless in how they improved our communication and overall relationship. The tools we've learnt will be invaluable taking froward"
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Sian Jones - Relationship Help Ashford
"We found Sian to be such a huge help in our quest for improving our communication skills. Sian will teach you how to think about your behaviour and what it's linked to so you learn to understand yourself and your partner a whole lot better. This is an invaluable technique,. She is also warm & fun which really helps!:)" "We now communicate better and understand one another….invaluable & life changing.’ Many thanks again" Request an appointment
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Sian Jones - Marriage Counselling Ashford
"We went to see Sian for some marriage counselling Ashford and found that she has an amazing ability to explain back to you EXACTLY how you are feeling, both me and my husband just couldn't believe it! It was like she had experienced every single feeling we had at some point so she could really relate to it. At no point did she judge either of us such she just helped understand each other's perspectives and got us actually communicating properly again! Thank you! Request an appointment
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Debbie Fletcher - Relationship Help Bromley
"We felt having a space to talk in that was safe and supportive was really helpful. The sessions were very well managed and structured by Debbie Fletcher and there was an understanding and empathy with our situation which felt comforting. We were each allowed a decent time to talk and reflect" "Thank you Debbie – you were very kind and understanding and we really appreciated the lack of judgement and desire to help us with your reflections and ideas" Request an appointment
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Debbie Fletcher - Couple Counselling Bromley
"Relationship counselling with Debbie in Bromley was a positive experience for both of us. The initial questionnaire was a good way to get us to think deeply and try to identify issues we had and wanted to address" "Debbie seemed to understand where each of us was coming from and tried to get us to see the other person's point of view" Request an appointment
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Tara Cratchley - Couple Counselling Tonbridge
"The Irish" (ha ha ha!) cannot thank you enough for all you have done for us Tara. It's been a steep hill but we finally got there, we will never forget what you have done for us and all being well we won't be back!! :))" Request an appointment
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Allie Markantonis - Couple Counselling West Malling
"It's been good and it's been bad..................... but knowing what we know now .... we should have done it years ago! Thank you thank you thank you!" Request an appointment
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Gaye Mitchell - Couple Counsellor Rochester
"As you know Gaye I have tried very hard to get over my wife's affair. Unfortunately I haven't been unable to forgive and forget and now know I never will. Although the whole experience has hurt like hell, I couldn't have done it without you. You helped me through it by giving me time, patience and a different perspective. I know more about myself and relationships than I ever did before and I'm hoping one day I will see some good in what's happened. Hopefully this will help me in my next relationship" Request an appointment
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Tim Burns - Marriage Counselling Whitstable
"Having Tim help us talk through our problems helped us both see each others point of view and see things more clearly. Our marriage is much stronger now that it has been for years – thank you so much" Request an appointment
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Sabine Hawkins - Couple Therapy Birchington
"We knew we needed to separate but wanted to do so amicably for the sake of our two children. Sabine made this possible by offering us the support through a very difficult time" Request an appointment
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Sian Jones - Couple Therapy Ashford
"Thank you Sian for putting our marriage back on track!" Request an appointment
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Allie Markantonis - Couple Counselling Maidstone
"When my wife suggested that we should see a relationship counsellor but I thought it was a stupid idea and was very sceptical and cynical!. However, Allie made us both feel very relaxed from the outset and she never took sides in any of our conversations. Unfortunately we were not able to save our relationship but Allie helped us through the difficult process and made the separation so such much easier. I would recommend her to anyone who is having problems" Request an appointment
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Elaine Brown - Marriage Counselling Deal
"Although my partner was reluctant to go to couples therapy but Elaine put us both at ease straight away. I was surprised how he opened up and I was able to see things from his perspective for the first time. I know that he understands me more now and with Elaine help we are closer than ever" Request an appointment
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Sian Jones - Relationship Counselling Ashford
"I didn’t think there was any hope for our relationship as all we did was argue and shout at each other. We went to see Sian at relationship counselling Ashford and she was so patient and understanding and always saw things from both points of view. We are now at a stage where we can at least communicate without getting angry. We are still working on our relationship but now feel at least there is light at the end of the tunnel" Request an appointment