tonbridgerelationshiptherapy@gmail.com
01732 369565 | 07815 442408
Tyger's Head Church Lane, Tonbridge, TN9 1DA
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Welcome to Relationships Psychotherapy

Welcome to Relationships Psychotherapy

I am a Relate trained practitioner with an MA in Relationship Therapy. I am a registered member of the BACP and abide by their code of ethics.

I am experienced in working with children, individuals, families and couples of all ages and backgrounds, helping them to improve the quality of their relationships. I consider this a privilege.

I am married with two grown up children. Before training as a therapist I studied the History & Theory of Art at Kent Canterbury. I worked in interior and garden design. This was very intimate relational work, helping people with their personal spaces. It was important to understand their priorities, way of life, tastes and differences between partners’ preferences. I learned to be a good listener and to work together with the client to create something new.

In many ways this reflects my therapeutic work; a close collaboration to uncover hope and creative possibilities, at points in life when these might seem to be submerged in difficulties.

Taking the step to come to therapy can be a turning point in itself. I look forward to welcoming you in a safe and relaxed environment to work together on what is important to you.

Helen Genty

Facing any of these issues?
  • A negative cycle of arguments that never seems to get resolved?
  • Are you struggling with the affects of an affair?
  • Changes you are having difficulty adjusting to e.g. the birth of a baby, health problems or retirement?
  • Are you worried about your child and not sure how to help?
  • Do you wish you could talk more frankly about sex without hurting your partner’s feelings.
  • Do you feel that your relationship is over and need a place to mourn its passing.
  • Do you miss the feeling of closeness and intimacy you once had and want to rebuild your connection?
  • Are you unsure of what the future will bring, and want a safe place to explore your options.

Taking the step to come to therapy can be a turning point in itself. I look forward to welcoming you in a safe and relaxed environment to work together on what is important to you.

Helen Genty
Relationship Therapy

Taking the step to see a relationship therapist may feel like a huge decision.  We may have felt that this was something only other people need to do, and that we could deal with on our own, in our couple or with the help of family and friends.

Many couples do indeed find that there are times when their usual resources don’t seem to be helping and they would benefit from talking to a therapist. Things that can make this easier is that the therapist doesn’t know you or your family and friends. They don’t take sides but support you both equally. You are in a neutral space with no distractions. You can sometimes find that the process of talking to a therapist makes your thoughts and feelings clearer. Likewise when you hear your partner talking to the therapist you are able to listen in a different way and sometimes get a new perspective.
All of the above advantages act as a foundation. To that foundation the therapist brings her theoretical knowledge and experience which helps to focus the sessions usefully.

What happens in our first session?

Our first meeting will be an opportunity for you to tell me your ‘story’ and what you want out of therapy. We can then decide together if therapy is likely to be beneficial.

What sort of things will we talk about in sessions?

We will explore your problem and what is keeping it in place. We may talk about your family of origin, family scripts and customs, communication styles. We may try to understand how your past may be influencing your experience of the present, and to discuss your hopes and wishes for the future. We may look at particular incidents in detail, breaking it down to look at how you are making meaning from your partner’s words or actions. This may enable you to develop new perspectives, options, understandings and ideas.

Family Therapy

Every family goes through difficulties at some time. These can be to do with adjustments to new situations, like separation, house moves, school changes, loss of someone special or transitions like the changes experienced in adolescence.

Sometimes families need support with a longer term situation like living with depression, or rebalancing, or re-connecting after a rift, or after enduring behavioural problems such as child to parent violence and abuse.

Maybe parents need support with developing a parenting approach that works for them and their families. Working together with parents and children can create collaborative conversations.

What happens in our sessions?

In the course of this work, we would meet sometimes individually and sometimes with 2 or more family members. The key is to have the right mix at the right time.

I am experienced in making young people feel at ease. I offer them the option of attending with a parent or on their own.

Young people are often happier to talk when they are doing something else. One of the ways to facilitate this is to have drawing or doodling materials to hand, and where appropriate we may use sand tray which is very ‘hands on’.

For younger children we may use therapeutic games to encourage involvement in the discussions.

Who is it for?

Family therapy can cover a wide spectrum of ages, relationships and demographics. It is an honour to work with people to help facilitate understanding and support their relationships.

Child Therapy

Children may be affected by troubles and changes in their lives.  Normal life can present problems such as house moves, change of schools, change in parental situation, illness or loss of a loved one.

Often these situations cause considerable stress to the adults and other members of the family and can often leave you feeling powerless and unsure on how to deal with it.

A change in behaviour, such as withdrawal, angry outbursts, lack of concentration, sleep problems or slipping back a developmental stage could all be communications of distress.

It can be heartrending to see the child you love having problems. Using play, drawing, sand-tray, stories and ‘pretend’, enable children to use their natural gift for metaphor to describe their internal world. Although we can’t change outer difficult life conditions, facilitating the expression of feelings that are acknowledged with care and empathy is in itself a healing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions will we need?

Most couples who are serious about wanting to make changes in their relationships see changes in 6 – 12 sessions. We will review the process regularly to ensure that the work remains focused on what is important to you.

My partner thinks the problems are all my fault- will you blame me too?

Therapists see relationships as being co-created which means that the situation you find yourself in is one that you both play a part in, and both share in developing.

Will we have to talk about sex ? I would find this embarrassing.

In relationship therapy we discuss what is important and relevant for you. If sex isn’t an issue for either of you then it won’t be a focus. Sex is an important element for most couple relationships and should it be an area you would like to discuss you may find this is easier than you expect with a trained and experienced therapist.

I feel our relationship is over – is it worth coming to talk?

Many people do find the support of a professional useful in this transition.

My partner doesn’t want to come. Is it worth me coming on my own?

Yes, many individuals find it helpful to confide in a therapist and have their support. Your partner may want to consider attending an initial session to see what therapy has to offer.
It can feel exhausting to cope with relationship problems on your own when you feel it’s all down to you. Your therapist will support you. This can relieve the stress of feeling you are tackling the problem on your own, and as the stress subsides this puts you in a better place to communicate.

Fees

The first session and ongoing sessions for couples, 2 family members, or for individuals are 50 minutes long. The fee for these sessions are £80.

Family sessions including 3 or more family members, require longer sessions of 1.5 hours . The fee for these sessions are £120.

Children’s sessions are generally shorter depending on age. I am happy to discuss this with you.

A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for all cancellations. As much notice as possible is always appreciated. The full cost of a session will be charged if cancellations are made with less than 48 hours notice if we can’t reschedule that week.

For date and time availability please contact me using the contact page, email tonbridgerelationshiptherapy@gmail.com  or call me on 01732 36 95 65 or 07815 44 24 08.  My practice hours are Monday-Thursday 08.00 – 19.00, Friday 08.00 – 13.00.

I offer sessions online and face-to-face.

About Me

I am a Relate trained practitioner with an MA in Relationship Therapy. I am a registered member of the BACP and abide by their code of ethics.

A deep interest in relationships led me to undertake the MA in Relationship Therapy with Relate. This was an integrated model which gave me insights into a variety of approaches. Some especially resonated with me. Narrative Therapy spoke to me with it’s refreshing insight into unpicking dominant stories, and uncovering the untold story. Attachment Theory, looking at how early bonding shapes relationship styles, is also a model that I find very helpful in looking at relationships. I find inspiration from a number of systemic family therapists, who help shed new light on stuck situations.

My journey in therapy led me to explore working with children and teenagers using creative methods, Jungian Sandplay, and looking at Movement and Imagination in therapy through the Sesame ‘Psyche & Soma’ approach.

I have worked with RELATE, in private practice, and with the Youth Offending Team & Family Support in Medway working with troubled teens and their families, and support for parents with children who have behavioural problems as well as other diagnoses.

I have an interest in well-being and have run relaxation and well-being sessions for staff in the caring professions. I believe firmly that those in caring roles need to nourish their own psyche.

Whilst working in Medway Youth Offending Team I encountered parents who were suffering violence and abuse from their children. I trained in the Non Violent Resistance parenting approach, which I found to be life-changing for parents. This was a revelation to me, and I have continued to be involved in this work since returning to private practice.

I am married with grown up children and grandchildren. I am fortunate to share a passion for therapy with my husband David who is a Zürich trained Jungian analyst. This is deeply enriching. As I have read and explored more in the world of therapy, it has been wonderful to appreciate the links and overlaps, different interpretations and viewpoints, piecing together the journey of human transformation.

I am honoured to work with what is most precious to people, and feel joy for them when they gain insight and longed-for change.

I offer relationship therapy, parenting support and Non Violent Resistance coaching, on an individual, couple and group basis. I give Psyche and Soma well-being workshops for those in the caring professions.

Taking the step to come to therapy can be a turning point in itself. I look forward to welcoming you in a safe and relaxed environment to work together on what is important to you.

Helen Genty

Mental Health Role: Psychotherapist
Credential Type: Membership
Organisation: British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Membership Type: Registered Member

Tonbridge Relationship City
Practice Location
Contact Me
If you have any questions or enquiries please give call or use the form on this page:

Helen – 01732 36 95 65 or 07815 44 24 08

Practice hours: Monday-Friday 09.00 – 20.00, Saturday 09.00 – 14.00.

The practice is conveniently situated in the centre of historic Tonbridge, nearby the parish church of Peter & Paul, with easy access from the surrounding towns of Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge, West Malling, and an excellent train service (40mins) from London.

How to get to me:

The consulting rooms are in central Tonbridge off the High Street and parking is available in nearby Kinnings Row Car Park just off Bordyke behind the Ivy House. Parking is free after 6pm. For more information click here or consult the map.

There is a footpath from the carpark which leads to the Church and Church Lane.

Alternatively Castle Grounds Car Park on Bank Street is a short walk away.(click here to view).