About Me
Hello! I’m Katie
Deciding to look into therapy to support and/or develop ourselves takes courage. I offer a safe space to explore whatever it is that has brought you to counselling. Therapy can help at a time of crisis, or at a point in life where it feels necessary to make some changes and work on ourselves, through learning about all aspects of what makes us who we are, and working towards us being able to take control of who we want to be, through building self-awareness, self-acceptance and resilience.
I have experience working with a broad range of life’s issues, some of which are detailed below. My background is in corporate Financial Services, enabling me to have insight into the pressures of the corporate world. I am also a parent and, as such, have experienced first hand, the stresses and strains that come with this role, which has been invaluable in my counselling practice.
I am a BACP registered, Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor, with over 4 years of experience in offering counselling to young people and adults from 13yrs onward, working for a local charity and in schools. I work under the guidelines of the ethical framework required by the BACP, which ensures our safety while working together – for full details, please review this link: https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/
As an Integrative Therapist, I work with both Person-Centred and Psychodynamic theory, which we will use to shape our sessions together, to suit us in working towards whatever it is that has brought you to counselling. Because your autonomy is paramount to our sessions and my approach, I work flexibly with this integrated model and you would not have to explore anything you did not feel safe to. If you want to discuss any queries about therapy or book an appointment, please do get in touch.
My Approach & Values
Person-Centred theory; this approach was developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s. He promoted the idea that offering various core conditions in a counselling room, would enable clients to become open to experience, learn to trust themselves, develop an internal evaluation of themselves and have a willingness to continue growing. Three of the core conditions are Congruence; being genuine, Unconditional Positive Regard; acceptance of you as you are and Empathy; working to understand your experience of the world. This approach ensures your autonomy while with me and allows us to work together to find answers to life’s problems within a supportive, non-judgemental and safe space. The confidentiality of this safe space can allow a freer exploration.
Psychodynamic theory; this approach was developed in the 1930’s by Signmond Freud. This theory looks at the forces that underlie human behavior, emphasizing the interplay between unconscious and conscious motivation, exploring how this might show itself in habitual behaviours or thoughts which might negatively affect day to day life. This model is largely based on Freud’s psychoanalytic theory. Using this approach allows us to explore how our pasts may be impacting our present and works towards a greater understanding of this and of our true selves.
Qualifications and Training:
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (QCF) (Integrative)
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling studies (Integrative)
Level 1 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Psychodynamic)
BA (Hons) Psychology 2:1
Continued Professional Development:
Certificate in Counselling Young People
Eating Disorders in Children and Young People (Seminar)
Let the voices be heard! An international conversation on Counselling, Psychotherapy and Social Justice (3 days of seminars)
Contact Me
‘Call me on 07395464830, or drop me an email: katiethomascounselling@gmail.com
You can also use the ‘contact me’ form below. If I don’t answer your call, please leave me a message and I’ll call you back as soon as I can.