Sally Cloke Counselling

Individual & Couples Counsellor & Clinical Supervisor in Ashford, Kent

Counselling Frequently Asked Questions

If you are considering seeking a counsellor, it can feel daunting and you may understandably feel anxious if this is a new experience. With this in mind, having an idea of what you can expect from counselling can help you feel less nervous and more comfortable.

Is counselling right for me?

If you are struggling with a life situation causing you distress, want to improve your relationships, or simply need someone to talk to who will listen without judgment, counselling can be deeply beneficial.

To help you find out if we are a good fit, I offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation or a brief initial face-to-face meeting at no charge. This gives us a supportive space to explore your specific circumstances and decide together if we would like to collaborate.

How can counselling help me?

I will walk alongside you to explore difficult and distressing life events, such as relationship difficulties, bereavement, or abuse. Facing these challenges often impacts our physical well-being, leading to conditions like anxiety, depression, poor-quality sleep, panic attacks, or stress-related headaches and migraines. Counselling helps by identifying the root causes of these symptoms, allowing you to find relief and restore balance.

What age ranges do you work with?

I am fully trained and experienced in providing therapy across a wide developmental range. I work with children aged 11 and over, adolescents, and adults.

How will I know what to talk about in our sessions?

The therapeutic space is entirely yours to express whatever you wish, completely openly. You do not need to prepare a script. I will be here to listen to you very carefully, with deep empathy and without judgment. You will no longer have to carry your distress alone.

How will I know what to talk about? 

The space will be yours to to express whatever you wish openly, I will be here to listen to you very carefully, without judgement however with empathy. You will no longer be alone with whatever is causing you distress.

What is an Integrative Counsellor, and how does it help?

Being an Integrative Counsellor means I do not rely on just one rigid method. Instead, I safely draw from a broad range of proven theoretical approaches, including humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive therapy.

In addition, I work from an existential perspective, which permits me to include the natural “givens of life”—the inevitable times we question our purpose, choices, and major life changes as human beings. By blending these frameworks, I can tailor my way of working to meet your holistic, individual needs.

How long will counselling take, and how often do we meet?

Counselling sessions are most frequently arranged on a weekly basis. However, this is flexible depending on your circumstances and can be scheduled twice weekly or fortnightly. The total length of your therapy depends entirely on the nature of your difficulties and how deeply rooted they might be. We will review this together as we go.

Will my counselling sessions be entirely confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is a foundational element of our therapeutic relationship, ensuring that whatever you share remains private. However, there are a few legal and ethical exceptions:

Safety: If there is a clear intent or serious danger of you or someone else being significantly harmed, I am legally bound to break confidentiality and take necessary action to prevent harm.

Statutory Requirements: Under UK law (specifically the Terrorism Act 2000 and Drug Trafficking Act 1994), I am required to disclose information relevant to those specific investigations.

Professional Standards: To offer you the best possible support, I attend regular professional supervision. During these supervisory consultations, I may discuss our clinical work, but your identity is strictly protected, and I never reveal any identifying names or features.

Data Security: I keep brief clinical notes of our sessions. These are viewed only by me and are stored securely.

How do I know you are fully qualified and safe to practice?

Your safety and peace of mind are paramount. I hold the following professional safeguards:

Accredited Member of the BACP (The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), which means my credentials, training, and ethical fitness to practice have been independently checked and approved.

Enhanced DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service police check) for working safely with a wide range of individuals.

Full Professional Indemnity Insurance protecting all elements of my practice.

Contact Sally Cloke Counselling

Book a Free Consultation

Taking the first step toward support can feel like a significant decision. Please call me on 07743 401350 or email me using the contact form below to arrange a free 15-minute phone chat or an initial face-to-face meeting. We can use this introductory space to explore the specific reasons you are considering counselling or supervision, answer any questions you may have about how it works, determine whether it could be helpful for your circumstances, and decide if I am the right practitioner to support you.

For more information on my services please view my terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Crisis Support & Immediate Help

If you are feeling suicidal or find yourself in a mental health crisis, please know that you do not have to struggle with these overwhelming feelings alone. Please reach out to one of the trusted, free resources below:

Urgent NHS Medical Support
  • Call NHS 111: Free to call from any phone, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent mental health support and advice.

  • Contact Your GP: Request an emergency appointment with your local surgery.
24/7 Telephone Helplines
  • The Samaritans: Call 116 123 for a free, confidential 24-hour telephone service available for whatever you are going through. You can also email jo@samaritans.org (response time may take a couple of days).

  • Shout Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 support via text message.
Targeted Support Services
  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 0800 58 58 58 (Available from 5:00 pm to midnight every day) or access their webchat service at The Calm Zone.

  • SOS Silence of Suicide: Call their Freephone Helpline on 0808 115 1505 (Open Monday–Friday, 8:00 pm to midnight; Saturday & Sunday, 4:00 pm to midnight). You can also email contact@silenceofsuicidesos.org.uk.

  • Childline: For children and young people under 19. Call 0800 1111. The call is completely free and the number will not show up on your phone bill.
If Your Situation is Life-Threatening
  • Go to any hospital A&E (Accident & Emergency) department and tell the staff you are in crisis.

  • Call 999 to request an emergency ambulance.


  • Walk into any local Police Station and ask for help.

Please consider talking to a trusted family member or a close friend about what is happening for you. Opening up to someone you know can provide an extra layer of comfort and help keep you safe.


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