Integrative Counsellor in Margate,Thanet & Online to Support Anxiety, Depression and Trauma

A Safe Space Where Your Mind Matters

Welcome, and thank you for visiting Hillbrow Counselling. My name is Lorraine and I'm passionate about creating a space where people feel truly heard and understood. This commitment comes from my own experience of counselling and the powerful impact it had on my life.

About Me and My Experience

I have spent over 30 years working in client-centred professions, and for the past five years, I have worked within the homeless sector, supporting individuals with high complex needs. This includes working alongside people experiencing significant mental health difficulties, substance misuse, and the often-overlapping challenges of trauma, loss and abuse.

These years have taught me a great deal about resilience, survival, and the importance of compassion when people feel at their most vulnerable. And that is why I wanted to create a space that feels calm, welcoming with a tranquil and grounding atmosphere – an inviting environment that encourages relaxation and open conversation.

How My Integrative Approach Can Support You

My approach is integrative and relational — therapy is not only about exploring difficult feelings, but also about finding moments of connection, lightness, and even laughter along the way.

At the heart of my practice is the belief that each person already has within them the potential for change. My role as a counsellor is not to tell you what to do, but to sit alongside you — offering empathy, curiosity, and a space where both the difficult and the joyful moments can be shared.

Growth often happens in those shared moments of joy, as much as in the exploration of pain...


Counselling in Margate & Online Focused on Your Wellbeing

Trauma-Informed Practice

Being trauma-informed means I work in a way that is sensitive to the impact of difficult or overwhelming experiences you may have had in your life. My aim is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel respected, listened to, and in control of your own process.


Above all, trauma-informed practice is about meeting you with understanding and care, helping you feel safe enough to explore whatever you choose to bring.

Experience

& Support

I have worked with domestic abuse survivors — both male and female, as well as individuals facing low self-esteem, anxiety, grief and depression, and families affected by addiction


Rather than focusing only on problems, I pay attention to your strengths and resilience. I work collaboratively with you, offering choice and flexibility, so that therapy moves at a pace that feels right for you.

Ongoing Professional Development

I’m committed to staying up to date with the most effective tools and approaches to support your wellbeing. I also believe that some of the most meaningful learning comes from my clients unique insight, and I value the opportunity to grow and learn together.


Expressing Feelings Through Creative and Somatic Techniques

Alongside talking therapy, I am passionate about using creative methods and somatic approaches to support you in finding new ways of expressing and understanding your experiences – I especially enjoy working with Arts and Crafts, and have an abundance of supplies in my therapy space to use freely, which can help reduce anxiety and support heightened emotions, so please feel free to ask me more about this.

Creative Experiment

At times, I may offer creative experiments to help you explore what feels difficult to put into words. With your consent, this might involve using objects in a sand tray, arranging stones, or drawing a picture.


Creative exploration can often make it easier to connect with emotions and gain new insight when words alone don’t feel enough, or are hard to express or painful.

Healing Through the Body

I also encourage clients to connect with their feelings through the body, as past trauma and difficult emotions are often held physically. This can impact both mental wellbeing and physical health, and by gently exploring these sensations, therapy can support release, awareness, and deeper healing.


Common Issues I Can Help With in Counselling

I provide support with a wide range of emotional, mental health, and life challenges to help you navigate difficult times and find positive change, working with adults of all ages, including older adults.

Grief


Relationship Difficulties

Redundancy


Anxiety

Abuse

Loss

Health Issues

Difference and Diversity

Domestic Abuse

Age Related Issues

Self-Harm

Depression

Loneliness

Work Issues

Trauma

Family Problems

Self-Esteem


Body Image

Pet Bereavement


Relationship Problems


Safety, Support and Ethics in Counselling

Having spent many years in client-centred professions, I have extensive experience supporting people with mental health difficulties and understand both the impact these challenges can have and the barriers people often face when seeking the right support.

As an integrative counsellor, I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to suit you and your individual journey. My focus is on the here and now — exploring your current feelings and emotions, while also recognising that past experiences may be influencing your present. By bringing this into awareness and offering emotional support and practical tools, I aim to help you explore difficult feelings, gain fresh perspectives, and feel empowered to make meaningful changes in your life.

As a registered member of the BACP, I work within their ethical framework to ensure you receive safe, professional, and compassionate support.


What My Clients Say About Therapy

“ Working with Lorraine has made a real difference in how I manage my anxiety. From the first session, I felt at ease in the calm and welcoming space she works from, which made it easier to talk openly. I’m so thankful for her support, patience and understanding. I have come a long way since we started, and I feel more confident and equipped to handle life’s challenges.”

SS

My location

I offer face-to-face sessions in my counselling room, which is a

tranquil, quiet and safe space located not far from Westwood Сross,

in Margate, within the Thanet area. Full location details will be provided once we arrange your therapy sessions.

In addition to face-to-face therapy, I also offer telephone and online sessions via Zoom, which can help with your convenience and make counselling accessible wherever you are. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to find out more about how online therapy works.


Welcoming Space for Therapy


What to Expect from Your Counselling Sessions

I offer a free 20-minute phone call, where we can discuss your needs, expectations of counselling, and any questions you may have. This initial call can be arranged at a time that suits you, and together we can look at suitable days and times for your sessions.


All the sessions are 50 minutes long and we will discuss the amount of sessions you feel you need at the start and this will be reviewed regularly, as part of the healing process is the therapeutic relationship between you and me, and reviews are a good way to check in and make sure you are happy to continue and address any concerns you may have. 

In-Person Sessions in Thanet, Margate

My counselling sessions are usually offered on a weekly basis, as I believe continuity is important in building trust and supporting your progress. At the same time, I understand that life can be busy and that counselling is also a financial commitment, so we can discuss your needs openly at the start.

Online & Telephone Sessions

You will require a private space where you will not be disturbed. I will be within a confidential room with only myself, if in the event we have technical difficulties, I will reach out by phone. I use Zoom as my online platform which is easily downloaded.

Ending Therapy

I offer open-ended sessions, meaning you can continue for as long as you feel counselling is helpful. We will review our work together regularly to make sure you are gaining what you need and are comfortable with the process. When the time comes for you to end, we will prepare for this together so the ending feels thoughtful and supportive.


Fees

My fee is £45 per session and this will need to be paid 24 hours before the session.

I also offer some concession rates for the unemployed and students. Please don't hesitate to ask me about this and we can talk it through, as these places are limited.

If you need to cancel a session, please give at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid being charged the full fee; with less notice, the full rate applies, though I may be able to offer an alternative slot.

 If I ever need to cancel, I will inform you promptly and offer another slot at no extra cost.


Payments can be made through bank transfer, if you prefer to pay in cash then this would need to be arranged in advance


Get in touch


Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how therapy works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you. Please remember: no problem is too small — if it is affecting your mental health, it matters!

You can also call me on 447920643330 or use this contact form if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.

All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

Awareness in itself is healing.

Fritz Perls

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

Brene Brown


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