About Barbara Vaughan
Welcome to my practice. I am a Master's qualified integrative child and adolescent counsellor and psychotherapist, dedicated to supporting young people and their families in Hythe & Folkestone, Kent. Discover my journey and how I can help.
My Journey into Counselling
My journey to becoming a child and adolescent counsellor began while working for an organisation that supported schools with children's behaviour and classroom engagement. I worked one-to-one with young people who were finding it difficult to participate in lessons, and it quickly became clear that the relationship we built was often more transformative than the intervention itself.
That realisation inspired me to train as a counsellor specialising in children and young people. Completing my Master's degree at the University of Roehampton was one of the most rewarding decisions I've made. The rigorous training provided me with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to offer thoughtful, evidence-based therapeutic support. It gave me a deep understanding of child development—from the early parent-infant relationship through to adolescence—and how life experiences and disruptions can shape a young person's emotional world.
My Approach to Healing
My approach is grounded in a deep understanding of child and adolescent development, from infancy through to adolescence. I also draw on knowledge of neurodivergence, trauma-informed practice, and the ways identity, culture, and lived experience intersect to shape each young person's world.
I work with kindness, compassion, and genuine curiosity, creating a space where young people feel safe to explore difficult thoughts and emotions. When needed, I am also direct—I don't shy away from challenging conversations. Instead, I help bring thoughts, feelings, and patterns into conscious awareness in a way that is empathic, supportive, and paced to each young person's readiness.
The Rewards of Therapeutic Work
The most rewarding part of my work is undoubtedly witnessing a young person have that "aha" moment – seeing the shift. It's in the little things: the way they carry themselves, their voices becoming stronger or calmer, their ability to reflect, and for children who missed early developmental stages, seeing them begin to play. These moments are what truly motivate me to help young people and their families.