Kathryn-Louise Aspden

I am unavailable from 25th July - 7th August 2022

I work in private practice Monday - Thursday - daytime.  Other slots may be made available occasionally.

I guess you have come to this page looking for the right kind of support - for you, or for someone you are concerned about. I have an interest in working with anxiety and trauma. I see people of all ages - adults, teenagers and children.  I also specialise in working with HSPs (highly sensitive people).  This is not a disorder but a trait affecting 20% of the population.  

As an experienced Person-Centred counsellor with Senior Accreditation, I offer warmth, safety, respect and sensitivity. As well as talking therapy, I offer creative approaches: art, sand tray, drama/movement, play or creative writing. 

Additionally, I have specialist training in trauma. Using 'common sense' methods taught by Babette Rothschild, I begin by helping individuals to gain control over the physiological elements of trauma to establish stability. This enables the reduction of debilitating symptoms such as flash backs, panic attacks and trauma- related illness. Sometimes I work somatically because our experiences are stored in our bodies. I have experience in developmental trauma.

In 2021 I completed AEDP Level 2, an approach grounded in neuroscience.  Within a strong, compassionate relationship, previously feared emotions can be experienced with a trusted other, and processed to completion.  

I am the author of children’s books: 'Help! I've Got an Alarm Bell Going Off in my Head!' and 'Help! My Feelings are Too Big!' Both are adult friendly!

I have worked with clients of all ages since 1998 in many settings including education (mainstream and special needs), adult psychiatry, hospice, and private practice (Creative Counselling).

Creative Counselling offers individual therapy, clinical supervision, workshops, retreats and creative group-work (including Sesame sessions - drama/movement).  I am a tutor on the creativity module for BSc student counsellors at East Sussex College.

I work from a private, welcoming room which is suitable for adults and children.

During lockdown I moved to working online via the Zoom platform.  It has been a delightful surprise to find how this medium can allow such close connection and deep work. 

I have recently begun to open up my practice to those who wish to meet face to face.

I am welcoming new clients.  

Sessions are usually 50 minutes but the first session is longer to allow time for us to get to know a little more about one another. We complete a contract and usually agree a set number of sessions, after which we can bring the work to a close or agree to continue.

Children may be offered shorter sessions if it is difficult for them to concentrate.

Workshops and creative groups normally take place on Fridays or at weekends.  This may vary depending on the needs of the group.

I work with individuals of all ages though at the moment I am responding to the high demand for therapy with young people.

I specialise in anxiety and trauma and have expertise and experience in working creatively, using Person Centred Art Therapy, Therapeutic Writing, The Sesame Approach in Drama and Movement, play therapy.  I have recently trained in AEDP which is an evidence based attachment modality.  

Over the last three years I have devised and delivered the Creativity Module on the B.Sc Counselling course at East Sussex College.  

For many years I facilitated creative groups on the acute psychiatric ward and for day patients. This was one of my favourite roles.

Private groups:  CPD for counsellors

                              creative workshops for various client groups

                               Therapeutic writing

                               Therapeutic drama using the Sesame Approach 

As well as my additional training in creative approaches I have a B.Ed. gained prior to qualifying as a counsellor.

I usually offer groups by request, so that I can tailor make them to meet particular needs.

They can be held at different venues.

Groups can be ongoing, or one-off workshops.

Talks about my books:

'Help! I've Got an Alarm Bell Going Off in My Head!' 

'Help! My Feelings are Too Big!'

Mondays - Thursdays, daytime.

Occasional evenings

I work with all ages and have a special interested in working with anxiety and trauma.  Most of my current clients are between 10 and 24.  I have written self-help books for this age group, including 'Help! I've Got an Alarm Bell Going Off in my Head!'

I am an experienced creative therapist (since 1998) and use the following in my practice: Person Centred Art Therapy; Somatic and relational approaches; The Sesame Approach - Movement and Drama; play therapy; therapeutic writing.  I am currently a tutor on the Creativity Module (for counsellors) at East Sussex College.

I have worked in many settings: psychiatry, hospice, education including special needs.  During my hospice work I attended an in house training in group supervision.

I have been providing clinical supervision for approximately twenty years as part of my practice.  My work includes working with trainee counsellors as well as experienced practitioners.  

I attend regular supervision and ongoing CPD.  Recently I obtained Level 2 in AEDP, which is an attachment focused therapy - deeply relational and evidence-based.

I carefully attend to my own healing journey which includes personal therapy.  I also recommend this to my supervisees because it leads to a safer pair of therapeutic hands.  

I will work with you in a respectful manner as you know your clients best and have your own expertise.  I hope to help supervisees develop and learn, offering support and guidance where needed.

Our work is collaborative as you are a colleague as well as a supervisee.

You will see from the previous information that creativity is my forte.  We can use creativity to explore your work or we can use more traditional ways such as talking things through. 

I have studied the area of trauma and anxiety in depth, and also have a lot of experience in working with younger people.  

When prospective supervisees contact me, we usually set up an initial session via zoom or in person.  This is free of charge and lasts around half an hour.  If we both wish to go ahead we then create a contract together.   

I ensure that supervisees are receiving enough supervision, a minimum of one and a half hours per month in all.  This depends on caseload and experience.

We can work via zoom or in person. 

Sessions last one hour (or longer by agreement). 

During the sessions we focus on what is important for the practitioner.  That includes self care, case management, presentation of client work, organisational issues etc.  As well as exploring what is happening verbally we may, if appropriate, do so using creative approaches.  

Through the years I have developed an extensive tool box for work with clients, and I as we work together I will pass on ideas as relevant to your practice.