Kesley Cage

Diversity-Affirming & Trauma-Sensitive Counselling for Neurodivergent, Cultural & LGBTQ+ Issues

In a nutshell, my therapy work is mainly with people of culture, neurodivergent and queer people, and others who are healing from the effects of marginalisation, adverse childhood/life experiences, chronic health conditions, anxiety and shame. I offer a complimentary 10-minute chat to explore if we'd be a good match for working together. Please visit my website to select a time and date on my booking page, and I will look forward to connecting with you in a video call very soon.

Availability not confirmed

Profile

kesleycage.counselling.online

Email

online@kesleycage.com

Website

www.kesleycage.com

About me and my practice

My name is Kes (he/they). I'm a counsellor and still a work in progress myself, and I know what it's like to sit in the client's chair. My role is to support you to feel comfortable and relaxed as you explore your issues and concerns, and I am certainly not here to judge you. I may make suggestions, however my role is not to give you advice on your life, instead it is to listen to you and assist you to make your own informed choices about your actions.

I work online so you can join sessions from home wherever you are, and I also meet people in person in Brighton (including outdoor therapy). My counselling practice is informed by humanistic, depth psychology and liberation psychology.

Humanistic psychology takes a positive and non-pathologising view of mental well-being, believing that we all have essential human needs, and that when these needs are not met we experience distress.

Depth psychology acknowledges that we all have unconscious processes in our minds, meaning that we may only sometimes be partly aware of our thoughts, feelings, needs and internal resources. Depth psychology places emphasis on the individual developing the ability to self-reflect in order to access greater self-awareness.

Liberation psychology explores the connection between personal distress and systemic oppression, and works toward individual and collective liberation.

I'm also fascinated by ancient and contemporary philosophy (e.g. Stoicism, existentialism), and believe that there are many tools for approaching life, and ways of understanding ourselves, that have been passed down to us by great thinkers, which may be worth considering in therapy.

I have a holistic i.e. "whole person" approach to welcoming and including all aspects of you that you'd like to explore in therapy. Nothing is off limits; body, mind, sex, spirituality, substances, creativity, hopes, dreams, regrets. I'm here to support and encourage you to know and understand yourself and live a life you love.

Experience

Common issues that people bring to therapy include: anxiety, low self-worth, communication difficulties, exploring identity and sexuality, disabilities and creative/personal development.

I've worked as a counsellor with many kinds of people from the UK and around the world (online) in community and clinical settings and now I have a flourishing private practice in my diversity-affirming specialism.

I am passionate about supporting LGBTQ+ people and anyone who has felt marginalised including neurodivergent people, and people of culture. Much of my experience includes working with LGBTQ+ people of culture and neurodivergent people struggling with the impact of systemic violence and internalised oppression, women who have experienced unwanted attention and experiences from men, and adult children of alcoholic and narcissistic parents.

I believe that by addressing the roots of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, you're able to find acceptance and flexibility in your approach to life.

Qualifications

I studied integrative counselling up until I qualified as a counsellor through the BACP approved Sweet Track Psycho-Spiritual Counselling Diploma. My qualification includes counselling with humanistic and depth psychologies. Furthermore, I pursue many ongoing, additional hours of continuing professional development, and am constantly updating my training around trauma, neurodivergence, culture, decolonisation, liberation, queerness, identity and relationships. My chosen ethical and theoretical orientation is person-centred.

Additional Information

I have come through some adversities in my own life, and therapy has helped me to heal from some of the emotional effects of trauma. To complement my trauma-focused therapy training, I use my own process of trauma recovery to empathise, understand and empower others who have overcome adversities. Also, I know what it's like to need support, and to find certain things very unhelpful, so I see my role as not just knowing what to do, but also ethically knowing what not to do to do, as a counsellor. I take a deep interest in getting to know each individual person I work with, and exploring at your pace, the direction that you'd like to go in your therapy.

Professional Membership

BACP, NCPS

Professional Register

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Verified by Counsellingo on Friday, 25 October 2024

Initial Consultation

I offer a complimentary 10-minute chat to get to know each other before deciding whether to work together. It's an opportunity for you to ask questions, and gain some clarity on what our work together may involve. There's no obligation or pressure to make a decision to work with me. You are very welcome to get in touch.

Fees

Sliding scale £40 to £80

When I Work

Weekday mornings, afternoons, evenings. Flexible appointment booking.

Therapeutic Approach

Integrative/Person-Centred

Video Platforms

WhatsApp, Meet (no downloads needed)

Pronouns

He/They

Area

East Sussex

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