Fiona Kennedy Wellbeing and Mental Health Counsellor
"We do not repair or fix, we heal."
Counselling and therapy for individuals and couples in a safe, comfortable and private setting
Welcome, and thank you for visiting Fiona Kennedy Wellbeing and Mental Health Counsellor.
About Me: where compassion meets understanding, and healing begins. I am Fiona, a warm, friendly, and compassionate counsellor dedicated to supporting
individuals and couples through life's challenges. With a deep commitment to
providing a safe and non-judgmental environment, I specialize in menopause counselling, couple therapy, and addressing issues related to bereavement, anxiety, depression, and stress.
Warmth and Compassion: In my practice, I believe in
the power of warmth and compassion. Life can present us with various challenges
and navigating them can be a daunting task. My approach is grounded in empathy, creating a space where you can express yourself openly and honestly. Together, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing, fostering a sense of security and trust.
Specializing in Menopause: The menopausal transition
is a unique and transformative phase in a woman's life. As a specialist in
menopause counselling, I understand the physical, emotional, and psychological
intricacies of this journey. Whether you are navigating the waves of hormonal
changes, coping with emotional fluctuations, or seeking support for the myriad
challenges associated with menopause, I am here to guide you with expertise and
understanding.
Couple Counselling: Relationships are intricate and dynamic, and sometimes, they require a gentle guiding hand. My specialization in couple counselling is designed to help partners navigate challenges, improve communication, and strengthen the bonds that unite them. Whether you are facing conflicts, seeking premarital counselling, or striving to reignite the spark in your relationship, I am here to provide a supportive space for both of you.
Addressing Bereavement, Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: Life's journey is marked by various experiences, and not all of them are easy.
If you are grappling with the loss of a loved one, feeling overwhelmed by
anxiety, battling with depression, or weighed down by stress, know that you are
not alone. My counselling services extend to these areas, offering a compassionate and understanding space to explore your emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and move towards healing.
My Approach: I believe in a collaborative and client-centred
approach to counselling. Each person's story is unique, and I tailor my methods
to suit your individual needs. Together, we will explore your strengths,
confront challenges, and work towards fostering positive change. My goal is to
empower you on your journey to self-discovery, resilience, and well-being.
Creating a Safe Space: Your well-being is my priority. I have created a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space where you can openly share your thoughts and feelings. This safe haven is where healing begins, and personal growth flourishes. It is okay not to be okay, and I am here to support you every step of the way.
Taking the First Step: Embarking on a counselling journey is a courageous step towards positive change. If you are ready to explore your emotions, strengthen your relationships, or navigate the complexities of menopause, I am here to walk alongside you. Feel free to explore the resources on my website and, when you're ready, reach out to schedule a session.
Contact Me: Your well-being matters, and I am here to
help. You can contact me through the website, and we can discuss how counselling can be tailored to meet your unique needs. Together, let's embark on a journey towards healing, understanding, and a brighter future.
One of the main bodies overseeing the accreditation and registration of counsellors in the United Kingdom is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am a MBACP Accredited Counsellor, which means I have met their criteria for qualified and experienced therapists and work in accordance with their ethical framework.
Speak in Confidence
Counselling takes place in a safe space, either face to face, or remotely via the telephone, zoom or on teams. I will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A problem shared...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of what’s causing these problems and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
Make better, healthier new choices
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and see how you can start to make better, heathier choices moving forward and increasing your wellbeing.
How can counselling help you?
Life brings many challenges, and it is understandable that at times we might look for support in facing them. As a counsellor my role is to provide space and guidance to help you on your journey of self-discovery; to enable you to examine your life and make new, meaningful choices within it.
I offer a chance to reflect on the difficulties or problems you are experiencing in a safe and confidential environment, with someone from outside your day-to-day life. Together we can explore your situation in a way that leads to fresh perspectives - and perhaps a new understanding of yourself. Counselling isn’t about giving you solutions or advice but empowering you to make your own changes.
My approach to counselling is a person-centred one. This is a non-judgmental way of working, where I create the right conditions to help you increase your self-awareness and personal wellbeing to move towards and reach your fullest potential.
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help with a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that I can support through counselling:
Menopause
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Abuse
Issues related to Covid
Couples Counselling
Eating disorders
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or school life
Qualifications
One of the main bodies overseeing the accreditation and registration of counsellors in the United Kingdom is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am a MBACP Accredited Counsellor, which means I have met their criteria for qualified and experienced therapists and work in accordance with their ethical framework.
I work in Cheadle Hulme and see clients from Wilmslow, Bramhall Alderley Edge, Greater Manchester, Stockport and the surrounding area.
I offer face to face, telephone counselling and online sessions for clients via Zoom or Teams.
Contact me to find out more about how online therapy works.
My location
Availability & Fees
Counselling sessions for individuals last for 50 minutes, I recommend that you initially commit to 4 sessions which will take place on a weekly basis. Contact me for an initial assessment appointment, which will last around 20 minutes.
Individual £55 per session.
Student Counsellors £45 per session.
Couples £90 per session.
Initial assessment up to 20 minutes £25.
Note that if you want to cancel an appointment, I require 48 hours’ notice; otherwise, you will still need to pay for the missed session. Payment is paid in advance and can be via bank transfer or PayPal or via the booking system.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right counsellor to help.
You can also call me on 07359 229551 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first or book your appointment by clicking here. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
Frequently asked questions
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
Usually I am asked this question by people who are nervous about entering into counselling, or when they are looking for support in coming to see a therapist. This anxiety is understandable, but a key aspect of therapy is that you should feel free to talk about any issues you feel are important to you. Having someone else with you who can be connected those issues makes this opening-up more difficult, so for this reason I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
Individual £65 per hour session
Couples £120 per hour session
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