Natalie Wood (Tonbridge)

Therapist Directory Listing Category: Psychotherapists and Counsellors

About the Therapist

About the therapist:

My name is Natalie and I am a BACP Accredited Integrative counsellor and clinical supervisor.

How I work

I believe that each person is unique, and therefore how we choose to work together in therapy will be based on what is most useful to you. This could involve thinking about how your past might be impacting you in the present, and how you want to respond to that; it might look like having space to pause and reflect on your feelings in the safety of the therapeutic relationship; or it could involve using specific tools and developing skills to meet goals that you have for yourself. I use a range of ‘lenses’ through which we can explore what might be happening for you, to help us make meaning of your thoughts, feelings and experiences and to consider what your future could look like.

In our counselling work we may look together at how aspects of your identity such as your age, gender, class, race, sexual orientation, religion and other characteristics have had an impact on who you are and you experiences in the world, where this feels relevant. I acknowledge the wider issues of power and oppression that may particularly impact marginalised groups, as well as celebrating the unique joys, meaning and resilience that can come from living with an identity that has been perceived or treated as ‘other’.

I have extensive experience of supporting people who identify as LGBTQI+, and people in ethically non-monogamous relationships, where these aspects of identity may or may not be the main focus of therapy.

I can also provide support for wider issues including anxiety and depression, relationship issues, identity, life transitions, and others. I have undertaken additional training around supporting people who are ADHD and/or autistic.

Sexual identity:

Bi- | Pansexual
Other
Queer

Gender identity: Female

Gender history: As assigned at birth

Non-monogamy: Yes

Intersex: No

Neurodivergent: No

Personal pronouns: She/they

Qualifications - Links to websites:

I am an accredited registered member of the BACP.

Counselling & Supervision Qualifications

- BACP Accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Register Number 199703)

- Certificate in Counselling Skills

- Certificate in Clinical Supervision

Other Qualifications

- MA Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion

- BA (Hons) Psychology and Philosophy

- PGCE (11-18)

Additional Training & CPD:

- Online and Telephone Counselling (ACTO recognised)

- Working alongside Trans, Gender Diverse and Questioning people (Gendered Intelligence)

- Supporting young people who exhibit harmful sexual behaviour

- Suicide intervention skills training

- Supporting survivors of domestic violence

- Supervision of safeguarding incidents

- Working with survivors of interpersonal abuse

- The use of Psychedelics in Psychotherapy

Qualifications - Additional:

Award	Awarding body	Year of award

Experience and approach:

I have a background in Philosophy and my work as a counsellor is underpinned by an existential perspective on human nature, which I feel offers some useful perspectives in helping us to understand the shared challenges that we face in being human, and how we might respond to those challenges. I also draw upon psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive models of therapy, as well as queer theory, feminist perspectives and narrative approaches to help understand the wider context of your experience.

My Background

Before starting private practice I worked as a therapist and Counselling Services Manager for METRO Charity, where I led a team of qualified and trainee counsellors across a range of projects supporting adults and young people who identify as LGBTQ+, people living with HIV, and family counselling. Prior to this I worked as a mental health advocate, and ran groups supporting people including those with severe and enduring mental health issues, and those in crisis. More recently I have worked as a clinical supervisor and consultant for mental health charities, supervising counsellors and frontline staff to deliver support to people who access their services. I am also a qualified teacher.

I have specific experience of supporting people who identify as LGBTQ+, those who have non-monogamous relationship styles (e.g. polyamory, relationship anarchy), and kink-identified clients. I also have experience of supporting clients living with HIV.

Approaches: