Poppy Counselling Services
🌸 Welcome to Poppy Counselling Services
Recognising you need help is the first step toward creating positive change.
I'm Donna, a qualified counsellor and nurse, offering a warm, safe space for you to explore your feelings and take steps toward emotional wellbeing.
🧠 My Approach
I work primarily from a person-centred perspective, while also drawing on a range of integrative methods tailored to your needs. Whether you're facing anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, or uncertainty, we’ll explore what’s happening for you in a gentle and supportive way.
With years of experience in both mental and physical health, I understand how closely they’re connected—and how our physical wellbeing can impact our emotional state.
💙 Shared Understanding
As someone who worked through the pandemic as a healthcare professional, I recognise how emotionally demanding those years have been—especially for NHS and care staff. I offer empathetic support for those in the medical field, guided by shared experience.
🌈 Respecting Your Uniqueness
I’m passionate about honouring each person’s individuality. We are all unique, and our differences deserve compassion, respect, and understanding. My space is inclusive and free from judgment.
🏡 Therapy That Fits Your Life
Sessions are available in person in Kent or online, giving you the freedom to access therapy wherever you are in the UK. Whether you're seeking support as an individual or with your partner, you'll be met with care, professionalism, and genuine compassion.
💞 Specialist in Attachment
Our early experiences shape the way we relate to others and understand ourselves. As a specialist in Attachment, I help clients explore how past relationships—especially those with caregivers—impact current emotional patterns, self-worth, and connection with others.
You may find yourself:
- Struggling to trust or fully open up in relationships
- Feeling anxious or avoidant when others get close
- Repeating unhealthy relationship patterns, even when they cause pain
- Craving connection but fearing rejection or abandonment
Attachment-focused therapy offers the space to gently uncover these patterns and develop healthier ways of relating—both to others and to yourself. Whether you're navigating childhood wounds, grief from relational loss, or difficulties with intimacy, this work helps foster emotional resilience, deeper self-understanding, and more fulfilling relationships.
💬 Relationship Support and Emotional Wellbeing
Are you finding it difficult to navigate your relationships? Perhaps you're struggling to understand your emotions or express your needs. These challenges can leave you feeling stuck, anxious, or low. You're not alone—and you're not without support.
I offer couples counselling as well as individual therapy in a space where communication and understanding can flourish. Together, we work toward uncovering emotional blocks, improving communication, and finding a way forward that feels right for you—or for both of you.
All of the challenges mentioned throughout this page can deeply affect mood and wellbeing. That's why I focus on creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where you feel truly heard and respected.
If you're ready to take that step, I look forward to helping you move toward a stronger, healthier, and more confident version of yourself—as an individual or as a couple.
🌥️ Finding Light Through the Clouds
Life can feel overwhelming—like the sun is hidden behind the clouds, too far to reach. In those moments, talking to a counsellor in a safe, supportive space can help you find clarity and understanding. Together, we can explore your experiences and make sense of emotions that may feel tangled, especially after trauma or loss. Counselling offers compassionate support as you navigate your feelings and take steps toward healing and growth.
🕊 Bereavement, Loss & Life-Limiting Illness Support
Loss touches us in many ways—whether it's the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even the loss of a beloved animal companion. Each can carry deep emotional pain, and every experience of grief is valid.
As an experienced counsellor in bereavement, I’ve supported individuals through both expected and sudden losses. My time volunteering with a local hospice gave me insight into the unique complexities of grief, and I offer a safe, empathetic space where you can explore and express your feelings freely.
I also work closely with individuals living with life-limiting illnesses. These situations bring a wide range of emotions—fear, sadness, hope, and even moments of clarity—all of which we can navigate together, at your pace.
No matter the form loss takes, talking through your emotions can be an important step toward understanding and healing. You don’t have to carry your feelings alone.
🌈 Supporting Neurodiverse Young People & Adults
Understanding ourselves—and the world around us—isn’t always straightforward, especially for those who are neurodiverse or non-neurotypical. It can be challenging to interpret emotions, communicate needs, or feel truly understood.
I’m an experienced counsellor working with both young people from age 16 and adults of all ages, providing support that is sensitive to neurodivergent experiences. My work within a secondary school gave me valuable insight into how young people on the neurodiverse spectrum perceive and process their emotions.
Together, we can explore what you’re feeling, work through any confusion or overwhelm, and find meaningful ways to express yourself. I offer a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions, build confidence in your communication, and grow your understanding of yourself and others.
You deserve support that sees and respects your perspective.
🩺 Emotional Support for Healthcare Professionals
Working in healthcare takes strength, but it also takes a toll. As an experienced NHS Nurse, I understand firsthand the immense pressure placed on healthcare professionals—to perform, to care, to carry on—even in the darkest moments.
The trauma of the pandemic has left deep scars: witnessing patients pass away without loved ones, losing colleagues, friends, and family in similar circumstances. These experiences can lead to compassion fatigue, burnout, and PTSD, especially when support feels out of reach.
As a trained counsellor, I offer a space tailored to fellow professionals—where your pain is understood not just clinically, but personally. I also support individuals living with ongoing health conditions or navigating life-limiting or life-changing diagnoses. These journeys bring complex emotions that deserve attention, validation, and care.
Talking things through can lighten the emotional load and help you reclaim your strength.
Testimonials
"my counsellor was patient, warm & a great listener. I will be forever grateful to her for all the help she has given me." N
"Donna was just the right person for my partner & I. She gave us equal amounts of attention & respect. She made us feel heard & safe so we were able to effectively use the space to reflect together on our relationship. Thank you, Donna" Anon
"I had previously turned down professional help after not finding the right ‘fit’ having visited other counsellors. Donna offers a warm environment in her home studio and allowed for a welcoming environment where I felt I was able to share my troubles and anxieties. Originally, I contacted Donna due to a family bereavement but I found that I was able to utilise her services to unveil underlying issues which contributed to my overall feeling of anxiety. I wouldn’t have come to understand this without Donna.
I think the hardest part of counselling is often finding the right therapist, reaching out and turning up. I often sat on the fence as to whether I ‘qualified’ for professional help having never been clinically diagnosed and feeling if as though my anxieties were immaterial in relation to others. They were not, they did matter and Donna helped me realise, understand and overcome this feeling.
Look no further than Donna, she is fantastic."
Georgia
"A year of counselling with Donna following a relationship break-up was, and has been one of the best things I ever did for myself. From the depths of personal despair, through her skills of empathy, guidance, listening and challenges of oneself, I have to become a far better, wiser and fulfilled individual, who now understands oneself a great deal more than I once did. Thank you Donna for everything in helping me overcome several traumatic episodes on my life journey 
. Would recommend Donna in an instant for anyone just needing to talk to someone" Anon
My Promise
I promise to work with your best interests at the centre of my practice.
I will endeavour to practice ethically and safely, following the BACP guidelines as I am a registered member.
