Katherine Smith

Week days + Weds, Thurs & Friday evenings.

I hold a Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and provide in person counselling for adults. My experience is broad with clients often seeing me for anxiety, depression, generally feeling low and unhappy with themselves / their life. Relationship difficulties are common. I am happy to work short or long term. Following an initial consultation session I ask clients to consider how many sessions they would like and we agree a set day and time. 

In addition to general counselling, I also have a specialist practice in CBT-E for eating disorders. This is for adults and is in person only. More information can be found on my website. 

I also hold a coaching certificate which was gained in the context of health coaching. Coaching can be in person or online, generally using Whatsapp or possibly zoom. Coaching can be really effective where people want to focus on specific, practical goals. We agree achievable actions together and I offer to provide the accountability - by receiving confirmations from clients that actions have been completed. There is an initial consultation session and then coaching sessions can be booked in blocks of 4 which involve weekly or twice weekly sessions. 

As a person-centred trained counsellor I do my best to offer clients a warm, non-judgemental and empathic understanding of their lives and difficulties. General counselling that I provide is non-directive and this means that clients decide what they want to talk about. I rarely ask questions and do not set 'homework'. 

I experienced person-centred counselling as a client myself for a number of years before I trained. I appreciated how beneficial it can be for a counsellor to listen, care and give me space to talk my difficulties through, whilst allowing my feelings to surface. For me, it was crucial that the counsellor allowed me to lead the session and be in control. This is what I endeavour to provide to my clients.

CBT-E for eating disorders is a very different experience for clients. Whilst I try my best to maintain my warmth, empathy and non-judgement - there is significant directivity involved. The treatment is used in the NHS and recommended by NICE. It is the leading treatment for eating disorders. Note, clients may well find that the NHS can offer them it without going to a private therapist. Self-help is also very possible - please see my website for details on this. Information about what is involved is all provided on my website.

Coaching is very client-led. Again, warmth, empathy and non-judgement from me are important. The focus though, as different from counselling, is upon achieving practical outcomes by taking practical steps which are agreed between us. Key to my coaching practice is that goals are achievable and are not overwhelming - this enables the client to experience success whilst minimising counter-productive anxiety and stress. I am not medically qualified and will not be offering medical advice - if I feel this is needed I will inform my client.

I always start work with clients with a single consultation session of 50 minutes. This is the case whether you are interested in counselling, coaching or eating disorder treatment.

This has the benefit that if you are not sure what service is appropriate for you that you can discuss this in full with me.

For eating disorder treatment (CBT-E), following consultation, there is a further, comprehensive assessment session before any treatment can begin. Please see my website for details. Or contact me.