There is always a way through

talking helps

There is always a way through

talking helps

Welcome to ActiveListener

We are a small counselling practice in a comfortable, location just outside Tunbridge Wells with private parking. We work online and face-to-face with people struggling to tolerate what life is asking them to deal with. All our counsellors share the view that any problem is legitimate and that every person is worthy of help. We have a range of counselling skills and will adapt to the nature of the problems we encounter.

Counselling is for everyone.

Meet our Counsellors

Lou Underwood

Counsellor

Lou is an NCPS Integrative counsellor working with adults and young people. Currently working online and happy to discuss any issues/concerns.

Contact Lou

Kerry Ingham

Counsellor

Kerry is an NCPS Integrative counsellor and artist. Currently working online and doing select home visits with those over 18, she is available to discuss any issue.

Contact Kerry

Ben Wrigley

Counsellor & Supervisor

Ben is a NCPS Humanistic Integrative counsellor and supervisor. He works one-to-one, online and in person. He helps people 18yr+ with a wide range of issues.

Contact Ben

At ActiveListener we are fundamentally humanistic in our approach to counselling which means that we believe that people have an instinctive drive to want to grow themselves and that each of us has resources within us to do this with the right conditions. Counselling is where those conditions can be created.

Thoughts from active listeners ...

Everything has a price. The subtle art of decision making.

Maybe you’re ready to make that big decision, or multiple decisions. Maybe you’re clinging awkwardly to the barbed wire of that fence. Maybe you understand why you’re choosing to stay where you are. What ever the case it could be time to stop facing your desire to make change alone.

‘Pull Yourself Together’ – Kinder words than you think?

Breathing techniques are the easy bit. If the source or cause of your distress or unhelpful behaviour feels bigger than your capacity to make change, then counselling can help.

The Love Trap

Unconditional love is something we all crave and we have all craved since we were babies and guess what, we do actually deserve it

Who needs feelings anyway?

Living life without feelings is surely not living life to the full, it’s like blurred vision, muffled sound or numb touching.

And … How are you?

This time of year can be really hard for so many of us and for so many reasons. Counselling can be a helpful space for you to be what you need to be.

The Anxious Child

Take a breath dear superhero. We live in a world where we have forgotten how to model calm.

Can you take advice from yourself?

In counselling there can be many exercises that help us to become aware of how we keep ourselves in places we don’t actually want to be. The process of speaking these things out loud to another person, to be shared and understood together, can dramatically change our perspective.

Are you the River or the Dam?

Counselling can help you find and uncover and understand your dams and help you to re-identify with yourself while you decide if you wish to remove them. Is it time to talk?

Defences – Are they as good as they seem?

Counselling is a place you can explore the defences you have spent many years developing and honing. They were your friend once, without a doubt. Are they still helping you now?

Men, Stress and a Badge of Honour

In counselling you will not be judged for expressing what you are really feeling, you will not be doubted. We are interested less in the facts of what you need to achieve, than how you are affected by the expectations. It is an opportunity to talk freely and explore any options you may have.