Katie Westbury

Choosing the right counsellor is an important decision, and I understand that taking the first step into therapy can feel daunting. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, relationship difficulties, loss, low self-esteem, or simply feel that life has become overwhelming, I offer a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can explore whatever is important to you.

My core approach is person-centred, which means I believe you are the expert on your own life. Rather than offering advice or telling you what to do, I work alongside you to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your experiences and the challenges you are facing. I believe that when we feel truly heard, accepted and understood, meaningful change becomes possible.

Every client's experience is unique, so I tailor our work to your individual needs and goals. Alongside my person-centred foundation, I draw upon attachment theory and relational thinking where appropriate, helping us to understand patterns in relationships, emotional responses and the ways past experiences may continue to influence the present.

As well as working with individuals, I have a particular interest in relationship counselling. Whether you attend as an individual or as part of a couple, I aim to create a balanced, respectful environment where everyone feels heard, understood and able to express themselves openly.

Above all, I value building a genuine therapeutic relationship based on trust, empathy and collaboration. I recognise the courage it takes to seek support, and my aim is to offer a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself without fear of judgement.

I offer both online and in-person counselling and provide a free introductory call, giving us the opportunity to discuss what has brought you to therapy, answer any questions you may have and decide whether I am the right counsellor for you.

I offer counselling to adults and couples, both online and in person from comfortable therapy rooms in Wolverhampton city centre. Individual sessions last 60 minutes, while relationship counselling sessions last 90 minutes.

I understand that beginning therapy can feel uncertain, so I offer a free 30-minute introductory call before we start. This gives you an opportunity to tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable working with me.

Our first session will focus on getting to know you, exploring what you would like support with and discussing what you hope to gain from therapy. There is no pressure to share more than feels manageable. We will work at a pace that feels right for you, and we can regularly review how the counselling is progressing.

My style is warm, collaborative and non-directive. I will not judge you, tell you what decisions to make or expect you to arrive with everything clearly understood. Instead, I will listen carefully, reflect with you and help you explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences and relationships in greater depth.

When working with couples, I view the relationship itself as the focus of the therapy. I aim to provide a balanced space where both partners can feel heard, without assigning blame or taking sides. We may explore communication, conflict, emotional disconnection, trust and recurring patterns within the relationship.

Counselling is confidential, subject to the usual ethical and safeguarding limitations, which I will explain clearly before our work begins. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and work in accordance with its Ethical Framework.

Sessions can take place weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs, availability and the type of work we are undertaking.

I offer a free 30-minute introductory call before booking your first session. This is an opportunity for us to discuss what has brought you to counselling, explore whether I feel I am the right person to support you, and answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation to book further sessions following this call.

Before our first session, I will send you some information about how I work, including my counselling agreement, confidentiality, data protection and practical arrangements. This gives you the opportunity to read through everything at your own pace before we meet.

During our first session, we will spend time getting to know one another and exploring what has brought you to counselling. We will talk about what you hope to gain from therapy, any relevant background information, and agree how we might work together. There is no expectation for you to share everything straight away – we will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

For relationship counselling, the first two to three sessions form an assessment phase. During this time, I will work with you to understand your relationship, the difficulties you are experiencing, your individual perspectives and your shared goals for therapy. This assessment helps us decide together whether relationship counselling is appropriate and enables me to develop a clear understanding of how best to support you both. Following the assessment phase, we will review our discussions and agree a focus for the ongoing therapeutic work.

Towards the end of the first session, we will review how you have found the experience and discuss whether continuing to work together feels like the right fit. Finding the right counsellor is important, and I encourage clients to choose someone they feel comfortable with.