Welcome to Deborah Coombs Counselling.

Maybe you are experiencing difficulties in your life or finding it hard to cope and need someone to talk to. You may also feel daunted about reaching out to ask for help and support. I hope my website will enable you to find out more about my counselling service and what you can expect if you decide to contact me. 

My qualifications

Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Level 5) 

Certificate in Counselling (Level 3) 

Best Practice Certificate in Dementia Care

Post Graduate Diploma in Careers Guidance and Counselling

 I offer most of my counselling sessions online or on the telephone at present.  This means I can offer counselling to you wherever you happen to live.  I also offer a limited service of walking therapy for clients in the Kingston upon Thames area.

I am a fully qualified integrative counsellor based in Kingston upon Thames with extensive experience of working with a diverse client group.

 I offer a warm, supportive and non-judgemental approach. I believe that the relationship between the counsellor and client is key to the success of the counselling. I respect that everyone I see is an individual with a different starting point and needs.   I draw on a range of different theories and techniques to support clients but, above all, I believe that the success of therapy will be determined by the way we relate as client and therapist, working collaboratively in a safe environment and with respect and empathy to explore your concerns and needs.

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and, as such, I work within their ethical framework and guidelines. If you want to find out more about these, you can visit the BACP website  www.bacp.co.uk.  I regularly update my knowledge and skills through a variety of Continuous Professional Development opportunities.

As well as seeing clients in my private practice, for many years I ran a counselling service at Staywell (formerly Age Concern Kingston), delivering counselling to adults of all ages (and their carers) dealing with the impact of illness, bereavement, isolation and related issues for some years. I have had experience working for a number of charities including The Mulberry Centre, where I worked with patients with cancer, their families and the bereaved.  I have also worked with Oakleaf,  a mental health charity in Surrey, offering counselling to clients with a range of mental health diagnoses and issues, including social isolation; and I am currently working with HASAG, a charity that provides support for sufferers and their families affected by asbestos-related disease .