Everyone is an individual
Hello. I'm Katherine, an integrative psychotherapist based in Hereford.
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I worked for six years as a volunteer for the Samaritans. It was a hugely humbling and often grounding experience. One key insight I gained whilst working in this field is that two people can be exposed to the same, or a similar, situation and react to it completely differently. It was the need to understand such individual differences that motivated me to train as a counselling psychotherapist.
Every client deserves to feel their worth
I know how hard it can be to take the first step into therapy. My goal is to create a safe, trusting and non-judgmental space where you feel supported and heard, in confidence. Everyone deserves to experience a genuine sense of self-worth, as it forms the foundation of personal growth and emotional well-being. By looking more inward at your thoughts and feelings, you can begin to gain clarity on the ways in which you want to look at life, and make sense of the pain you have been feeling. I strongly believe the answers lie within you, and therapy can help uncover them.
There are no set number of sessions — we'll move at your pace and review progress regularly.
Connecting our pasts to the present
Each person's journey is unique. Understanding ourselves sometimes requires recognising the connection between early experiences and current mental health challenges. This doesn't mean that therapy always has to be long-term, or that we focus solely on the past. It simply means that by understanding how one influences the other, we can effectively identify what needs to change in the here and now. Together, we'll explore the root of your struggles and move towards a life that feels more positive and meaningful.
An open-minded approach, tailored to each individual
I am an integrative therapist and draw on several therapeutic approaches, with Person-Centred theory being at the core of what I do. This approach is a non-directive, talking therapy that focuses on how clients perceive themselves. I listen attentively and with empathy, so that clients feel truly heard, and I strive to understand your world as you are experiencing it.
Another, very beneficial approach I use is Compassion Focused Therapy. This is a wonderful theory, especially useful for clients who struggle with aspects of low self-esteem which so often derive from difficult past experiences — issues that can be the driving forces behind anxiety and depression. Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) looks at ways in which we can promote emotional healing by encouraging people to offer themselves compassion, which in turn helps create positive effects on our brain and nervous systems.
I work with clients navigating varying issues, including but not limited to
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are often linked, but they can feel quite different. Anxiety tends to involve persistent worry and a constant sense of being on edge, while depression is often experienced as consistent low mood, loss of interest, and a feeling of disconnection. Some people live with one, others experience both at the same time. Counselling can offer a supportive space to explore these feelings, understand their roots, and help you develop ways to feel more balanced and in control again.
Negative Belief System, Self-Worth and Loss of Identity
Our sense of worth is often shaped by early experiences and the messages we receive about who we are. Over time, this can form an inner narrative that may be critical and hard to challenge. You might find yourself stuck in patterns of self-doubt, people-pleasing and generally feeling not good enough, even when there is evidence to the contrary. I can help you gently explore these patterns and understand where they come from, so you can begin to develop a more compassionate and empowering relationship with yourself.
Living Through Loss
For the past four years, I have worked for my local hospice, counselling patients and loved ones both pre- and post-bereavement. Grief is such a personal process, and one that isn't linear, so I find working in a very person-centred and non-prescriptive way to be the most beneficial with my clients. For those experiencing powerful changes in feelings, and for others who are very stuck and unable to access their emotions, honouring and appreciating the flexibility of the process is key.
While grief is often associated with bereavement, it can also be felt after many kinds of loss. The ending of a relationship, moving home, or life changing in unexpected ways can all bring feelings of sadness and uncertainty. Counselling offers a space to process these changes and make sense of what they mean for you.
Addiction Recovery
I have experience accompanying clients in addiction recovery and working with the challenges that arise through their process. Recovery is not just about stopping a behaviour, but understanding what sits beneath it and finding new ways to cope. Offering a safe and non-judgmental space, we work together on building self-awareness and resilience so clients can live a happy and fulfilled life outside of addiction.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Relational Patterns
Our early childhood experiences often shape the way we relate to ourselves and others as adults, resulting in patterns that can influence relationships, friendships and family dynamics. I can support you in exploring these early influences, understanding their impact, and discovering new ways of relating that feel more nurturing, balanced and authentic.
Therapy has helped me at various stages of my life.
Understanding your needs first and foremost
There are many different types of therapy available, and while I continue to build my knowledge, I focus on working in ways that I am fully trained and experienced in. Before beginning any work together, I offer a gentle initial telephone assessment to get a sense of what has brought you to counselling and whether I am the right person to support you. This is also a space for you to ask any questions and get a feel for how I work, so you can decide what feels right for you.