Ana Pollard

I work mainly on weekdays during office hours (9-5pm), though I am always happy to discuss alternative times if needed. I do have some capacity to take on new clients at the moment.

I work both from central Canterbury and from Bridge, near Canterbury, offering my clients complete privacy and confidentiality, in a comfortable and welcoming environment. There is parking available at both locations.

I’m an integrative counsellor.  I offer both online or in-person sessions from my private practise in Canterbury.

I believe that counselling can be a vital journey of personal growth, in which you can find healing and hope, meaning, freedom and fulfilment. This journey can benefit both younger clients looking for answers and strategies for life, and older clients, who, through life’s vicissitudes, might seek restoration and a new way forward...

Counselling can also benefit those of us who’ve always felt slightly ‘at odds’ in this world: a sense of not fitting in, of questioning one’s purpose, place or true self. This recognition of unease and disconnection can often make life feel overwhelming, as one’s resilience and strength become eroded more easily by trials and tribulations…

As an integrative counsellor, I draw on different therapeutic methods, tailored towards my clients’ individual needs. I believe the client is the expert on their own life, and I come alongside them to facilitate in finding the right way forward for them. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space of warm acceptance and understanding. This is not about a short-term ‘fix’ or finding quick solutions per se, but rather about helping the client work out and explore their ‘way of being in the world’, what is serving them in their life and what may need to change. Change is a potential by-product of this process, rather than the focus of it. The therapy might involve looking at thought processes and feelings, coping and defence mechanisms and other patterns of behaviour, hopes and dreams, desires and prejudices, ruminations and fears, past, present and future.

By frankly examining the beliefs, values, attitudes and aspirations that help define who you believe yourself to be, you can begin to 'find yourself'. This is a process…a process of self-examination, self-awareness, self-understanding, self-acceptance and ultimately change…the journey of a lifetime. 

When counselling is done well, it can be life-enhancing…even life-changing. The counselling relationship itself is a unique place to encounter yourself in a way that is hard to replicate elsewhere, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As the client, you begin to see your ‘true self’ reflected back to you by the therapist – bringing clarity, insight, and hidden truths. It can be revelatory and inspiring, at times emotional and painful, but ultimately healing and liberating.

When a client comes to see me, I provide them with an opportunity for some structured self-exploration. We embark on a collaborative enterprise: equal partners working towards agreed goals. But what makes this relationship a ‘therapeutic’ one? My practice is based on the following fundamental qualities: authenticity, empathy and unconditional positive regard. This means that to the best of my abilities I commit to being genuine, non-judgmental, warm, respectful, understanding and accepting towards my client and their worldview.

My approach is part of the humanistic tradition, which believes in the individual’s potential for growth and self-actualization. Self-actualization can also be referred to as ‘liberation’ or ‘freeing oneself’… A client embarks on a journey of self-discovery, ultimately to find out more about who they really are and how to live a ‘better’ life.

I offer an initial (free) phone consultation (approx 30 mins), to find out whether we are a good 'fit' for each other and whether you want to proceed with a counselling agreement. 

After this, our first session involves a brief discussion of what to expect from the therapy sessions and your hopes, goals and any queries. We will look at the contract to make sure all is clear and you are happy. To measure your journey, I may ask you to evaluate your experience of the counselling (including answering some questions at the start, to help monitor the outcome of your therapy).

Once these formalities are complete, we can start wherever you wish to focus.