Cathy Theaker

My working days are between 8.30am - 8.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I currently have some availability within my practice.

About me

I am a BACP Accredited and Registered Counsellor who has been in practice since 1997 and also as a Coach since 2009. I work in private practice, with previous experience in  Primary Care, Staff Counselling Services, University Counselling Services, Young People’s Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, private practice. 

I work with adults experiencing a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, burn out, identity, relationship issues, loss, bereavement, health related issues, trauma, anger management, spirituality…

I have experience working with individuals from a range of cultural, ethnic, sexuality, gender, disability, neurodiverse and class backgrounds. 

I am on the approved therapists network working with counsellors in training at Leeds Beckett University. I have also worked as a Lecturer in Counselling and I provide supervision to other counsellors. 

How I can help

As an Integrative Counsellor I have a Person-Centred / Relational  core philosophy and may also incorporate Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis (TA), Psychodynamic and Mindfulness based approaches, as appropriate for the person I am working with.

My aim is to offer a confidential, safe, supportive space where we can make sense of your thoughts and feelings and help you understand yourself better, develop more skills for coping and create greater resilience. You may also begin to feel you have more clarity and choices, together with increased understanding of unhelpful patterns in relationships. 

I am also trained in the Rewind Technique a non-intrusive highly effective treatment for phobias, trauma and post traumatic stress disorder.

Qualifications

• MA Psychological Therapies (2015)

• BSc(Hons) Psychology (1991)

• Advanced Diploma Counselling (1997)

• ILM level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring (2010)

• PG Cert. Counselling Supervision (2009)

• PGCHE. Post Grad Cert in Higher Education (2008)

For further information please visit: www.cathytheaker.com

How I work

When we have difficult periods or experiences in our life, talking to someone skilled and trained can really help. Sometimes we can feel very stuck in our relationships or with particular problems, or painful life events and find it difficult to know how to move forward. You may be feeling unhappy or confused, have difficulties in a relationship, be suffering with work related stress, have experienced a loss or trauma, or want to find a more meaningful way of living.

My approach will vary to suit the individual person and the issues they wish to work on. Sometimes a more focused, practical, psycho-educational or coaching approach may be helpful for some clients.

Therapy usually takes place weekly and sessions are 50 minutes long. I work with individuals on a short and medium term basis. We can discuss what feels appropriate for you at your first session. We explore things together at your pace and we review our work together regularly to ensure the therapy is meeting your needs. 

Appointments are available in Otley, Ilkley and online using Zoom, a secure webcam service.

Further information

I have regular supervision of my work and attend continuing professional development activities in accordance with the BACP guidelines. As an accredited BACP counsellor I work within the BACP’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.

I have full professional indemnity insurance. 

You can contact me to arrange a conversation to talk about what help you are looking for, ask any questions and for me to explain how I work. This is offered free of charge and will help us both decide whether the help I can offer will meet your needs.  

If you would like to arrange an introductory session please email cathytheaker@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can. 

My working days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, between 8.30am - 8.30pm.

I currently have some availability.

About me

I am an experienced Supervisor of trainee and qualified Counsellors, Coaches, Groups, Support Services Staff and Helping Professionals. I have been in practice as a Supervisor since 2003 and provide 1:1 and group supervision. 

I am a BACP accredited and registered Counsellor who has worked as a Counsellor since 1997 and Coach since 2009. I currently work in private practice, with previous experience in Primary care, Staff counselling services, University settings, Young people’s services, Drug and alcohol services, Private practice. I am also a trainer, mindfulness teacher and have previously worked as a Lecturer in Counselling.

My approach as a Counsellor is integrative within a person-centred core philosophy. I have experience with individuals from a range of cultural, ethnic, sexuality, gender, disability, neurodiverse and class backgrounds. 

I offer supervision to practitioners working with adults.  

I offer online and telephone supervision and have some face to face sessions.

I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I have full professional indemnity insurance. 

Qualifications

• MA Psychological Therapies (2015)

• BSc(Hons) Psychology (1991)

• Advanced Diploma Counselling (1997)

• ILM level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring (2010)

• PG Cert. Counselling Supervision (2009)

• PGCHE. Post Grad Cert in Higher Education (2008)

For further information please take a look on my website: www.cathytheaker.com

How I work as a Supervisor:

I utilise a Relational Approach (Gilbert & Evans, 2000), the Seven-eyed Supervisor Model (Hawkins & Shohet, 2000), using the Cyclical Model (Page & Wosket, 2001) as a framework. 

I believe Supervision and Consultancy support need to take place within an environment of openness, warmth, trust, genuineness and respect. My experience is that having a strong relationship with one’s supervisor/consultant is crucial in terms of personal and professional growth and for self-care. 

I aim to provide a reflective space for my supervisees to explore issues arising from their work. With counsellors this specifically includes the therapeutic relationship, transference and countertransference, in order to gain a meta-perspective on their practice. This collaborative exploration enables them to gain more awareness of their own and their client’s process and the therapeutic interaction between the two, in addition to reflecting on their interventions and the wider context. 

I am a member of the Supervisors’ Network for The University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University.

I offer an introductory session free of charge for us to discuss what you are looking for in supervision/consultancy support, ask any questions and for me to explain how I work. This will enable us both to ensure whether I can offer the support that you need, should we agree to work together.