Tara Bucknall Psychotherapy has become the third medical services tenant to move into the Maidstone Innovation Centre (MIC) following the Centre’s decision to expand its tenancy offering to the sector.

Providing psychotherapy and counselling sessions, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist Tara brings with her a wealth of experience having previously worked as a Senior Psychotherapist in the NHS and in university mental health services.

Located on the Kent Medical Campus, the Maidstone Innovation Centre is designed to support businesses in Med-Tech, Life Sciences, and Healthcare. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), the MIC forms part of the North Kent Enterprise Zone.

Tara Bucknall Psychotherapy joins fellow medical services tenants audiology practice All Ears and osteopathists Active Care, helping to build a diverse range of healthcare expertise in the locality.

Through mainly private or employer-sponsored sessions, Tara offers treatment to adults dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, bereavement or depression, or for those simply seeking to explore a little more about themselves.

Cllr Stephen Thompson, MBC Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities in Maidstone said:

“It’s exciting to welcome Tara Bucknall Psychotherapy and see our community of diverse medical services tenants steadily growing at the MIC. Mental health support is such an important issue so we’re delighted to have Tara’s expertise on site to provide this service for local people.

“The Centre’s state-of-the-art facilities, combined with a network of likeminded professionals, offers the perfect environment for Tara’s practice to grow and thrive.”

Tara explains why the MIC is the right place for her and her clients,

“It’s important to me that my clients don’t feel like they’re walking into a hospital when they come to see me; I want them to feel relaxed. That’s why the MIC is such a great location for me; it’s peaceful and modern, in a picturesque setting, it’s very calming.

“As a place to work, it was vital that it was somewhere I looked forward to coming to every day. There are always other businesses around to chat to, as well as networking events and newsletters which all really helps to build a connection with the staff and tenants. I’ve already been chatting to Dan at Active Care osteopathy about how our clients can benefit from each other’s services. Some co-working spaces can feel isolated so it’s great to have that sense of community.

“I’d say to any other businesses looking for a new base, treat it like buying a new house. View as many as you can, don’t just look at photos online – it needs to have the right feeling for your business. Think about practicalities too such as how you will lay out your furniture, and obviously have a clear budget in mind – I was surprised at how reasonable the MIC is for such a high quality building.

“Consider the surroundings too – being on the same site as KIMS gives it a level of prestige too which creates the right impression for clients – it feels like a healthcare hub.”