Specialist Trauma Counselling
Trauma counselling is a specialist form of therapy that supports people who have experienced sexual trauma. It offers a safe, confidential space to explore the emotional impact of trauma, understand how it may be affecting daily life, and learn ways to cope with symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, or emotional numbness.
What kind of support do we offer?
We provide counselling for individuals affected by rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse. Counselling is tailored to your experiences and needs, with time to explore what matters to you at a pace that feels manageable. We offer a supportive space where you can feel heard, explore your feelings and find ways to manage the impact of your experiences on everyday life.
How much do I have to share?
You do not have to describe what happened to you in detail to receive support. You can choose what you share and when, and your counsellor will respect your boundaries without pressuring you to talk about difficult experiences. You can also focus on how you are feeling now and what would help you. Together, you and your counsellor will agree a pace that feels manageable, and you can ask to pause or change the focus at any time.
Who is this service for?
For adults, adolescents and children of all ages.
Eligibility Criteria for Returning Clients
If you have previously received counselling from KSAAS, you will need to wait 12 months from the end of your previous course of support before re-referring. All referrals are assessed against our full eligibility criteria and the suitability of the service for your current needs (available on request).
How do I make a referral?
All you need to do to make a counselling referral is call 01227 451753. Our office is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
We will take a few contact details from you and then arrange a time and date for you to come in for an assessment.
Where are our hubs?
Our hubs can be found across Kent. You can have Face to Face sessions in:
Ashford ~ Canterbury ~ Folkestone ~ Gravesend ~ Maidstone ~ Margate ~ Ramsgate ~ Rochester ~ Sittingbourne ~ or Tonbridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following your counselling referral, you will receive a call from us to ascertain more information. You will then be placed on our assessment wait list. All our assessments are completed either in person at one of our sites or online.
At the assessment we will take the time to ensure we are the right service for you. We’ll also discuss your availability to find appointment times that work, the more flexibility you have will help with allocating you to one of our counsellors.
Our counselling sessions are completely free. We do accept donations.
A counsellor would see you once a week on the same day and at the same time. We offer 12 sessions.
Each session lasts for fifty minutes.
If you're a parent, significant relative or significant other of someone who has experienced sexual violence, we can offer counselling sessions for you too. We offer 6 sessions.
Our waiting list for counselling does change depending on the amount of referrals we have each month. However, the more available you are, the faster you are likely to be seen.
"I personally have had a really positive experience with this service. I feel extremely grateful that I’ve had access to this service. My counsellor has been excellent, and I have valued every session given to me. Thank you."
Survivor
Our counselling helpline
Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:00