Catherine Aikin-Sneath

Thursdays: at Guildford Institute - from 6.00pm to 9.00pm

Fridays: at Guildford Institute - from 1.30pm to 9.00pm

Friday and Saturday mornings: ZOOM / Telephone / Home visits - from 10.00am to 1.00pm

My approach is humanistic with an existential outlook. I seek to provide a comfortable therapeutic relationship and a non-judgemental environment, within which you will be invited to raise anything you wish to talk about. At times I may offer aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where we agree these may be helpful. However, the work we do together will essentially be exploratory and always led by your unique perspective.

Based in Guildford town centre, the room is accessible by public transport and, with lifts and ground-floor toilet facilities, also accessible for people with a wheelchair or reduced mobility.

My background is in working with young people aged 12 years and upwards within an NHS setting and with adults in charity settings. Outside almost 1000 hours of counselling experience, fifteen years have been spent working in other therapeutic and supportive settings including the homelessness sector. I now offer individuals short to long-term therapy in a comfortable and confidential environment.

My aim is to offer a warm atmosphere in which to talk without fear of being judged. At times you may wish to examine urgently-needed practical solutions but many people come to talk in a safe environment and to work towards a deeper understanding. At some point during this process, you may wish to start addressing something or exploring how to live life differently. Your weekly counselling session offers a space away from everyday life where you can talk about things on your own terms.

At the beginning of our first session, we will discuss mutual expectations and you will be given a sheet to read and take away with you. You are encouraged to raise any questions you have. You will then be invited to start sharing what has brought you to counselling and the rest of our session will be led by you.