Katie Smith

I work in a way that is human, honest and without judgement. You don’t need to come to counselling with the right words, a neat explanation or even know exactly what’s wrong. You can turn up angry, overwhelmed, numb, tearful, swearing, laughing, confused or completely fed up. You don’t have to perform for me.

I’m person-centred, which means I’m not here to diagnose you, tell you what you should do or try to “fix” you. We start with you, where you are and what feels important. We go at your pace.

I’ve lived through difficult and traumatic experiences myself, so I know life isn’t always tidy and people don’t fit neatly into boxes. I won’t pretend to know exactly how your experience feels, because it’s yours. But I understand how important it is to be met by another human being without being judged, analysed or made to feel like you’re too much.

Counselling with me can be serious, messy, quiet, emotional and sometimes funny. There is room for all of it.

You don’t need to have your shit together before you come. You just need some

I offer online counselling for people who may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, exhausted or carrying things they’ve kept buried for a long time. I have a particular interest in trauma, chronic illness and pain, emotional overwhelm and men’s mental health.

When we meet, you won’t be expected to tell me your whole life story in the first session or know exactly where to begin. We start with what feels important to you and take it from there.

Some sessions might feel deep and emotional. Others might involve frustration, silence, humour or simply trying to make sense of why you feel the way you do. There’s no right way to do counselling.

My aim is for you to have somewhere you can be honest, without having to protect other people, minimise what you’re feeling or pretend you’re coping better than you are.

Your first session is simply a chance for us to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and see how it feels working together. There’s no pressure to tell me everything straight away or have your thoughts neatly organised.

We’ll go at your pace, and you can ask anything you need to. My usual session fee applies from the first session.

Helping you heal, grow and awaken to new possibilities.

I offer online and telephone counselling for adults aged 16+ across the UK. I can also work online with adults living in many countries worldwide, where local rules and my insurance allow.

Taking the first step towards counselling can feel overwhelming. You may have spent a long time coping alone, putting others first or feeling that you should be able to manage. I want to make reaching out feel as comfortable as possible.

I offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can come exactly as you are.

I support people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, domestic abuse, low self-worth, life changes, chronic pain and health challenges.

I am especially passionate about supporting people who feel unseen or misunderstood, including those living with invisible illnesses or ongoing health conditions. Pain and changes to your health can affect your confidence, identity, relationships and how you see yourself.

Together, we can explore your experiences, help you reconnect with yourself and find a way forward that feels right for you.

Appointments are flexible and take place online or by telephone, allowing you to access counselling from somewhere you feel comfortable.

I offer a free initial chat so we can talk about what has brought you here, answer any questions and see whether we feel comfortable working together.

Finding the right counsellor matters. This is your space, and you deserve to feel safe, understood and supported.

Hello, I’m Katie, founder of Awaken Counselling & Therapy.

I am a qualified person-centred counsellor and psychotherapist. I offer online counselling for people aged 16+ across the UK and internationally, where the rules of the country allow. Telephone counselling is also available across the UK.

I believe that behind every person is a story, and sometimes the experiences we have lived through can leave us feeling disconnected from ourselves, overwhelmed, anxious or unsure of who we are.

Counselling offers a space to slow things down, make sense of what you have been through and begin to reconnect with yourself.

My own experiences have shaped the empathy and understanding I bring to my work. I know how powerful it can be to have a space where you can be honest, without having to minimise your feelings or explain why something has affected you.

I have a particular interest in trauma, the nervous system, chronic pain and health challenges. I am passionate about helping people understand why they feel the way they do and how their experiences can shape their thoughts, emotions and responses.

Living with chronic pain or health difficulties can bring many emotions that are often difficult to talk about: frustration, grief, anger, fear, isolation and feeling like you have lost parts of yourself.

You may find yourself grieving the life you expected to have, struggling with changes you didn’t choose or feeling exhausted from constantly pushing through.

You are not just your experiences, your diagnosis or the things that have happened to you.

My approach is person-centred, which means I believe you are the expert in your own life. I will not judge you, rush you or tell you who you should be. Instead, we work together to understand your story, your experiences and what you need.

At Awaken Counselling & Therapy, my aim is to provide a space where you feel heard, understood and supported as you begin your own journey of healing, growth and awakening.

I offer online counselling for people aged 16+ across the UK and internationally, where local rules allow. Telephone counselling is also available across the UK.

My approach is person-centred, which means our sessions are shaped around you. I will not judge you, rush you or tell you what you should do. There is no set plan or timeline—you can bring whatever feels important, and we will work at a pace that feels right for you.

I support people experiencing trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, domestic abuse, low self-worth, life changes, chronic pain and health challenges.

Sessions last 60 minutes and cost £45. I offer flexible appointments and a free initial chat, giving you the chance to ask questions, talk about what has brought you to counselling and see whether I feel like the right counsellor for you.

You do not need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. You can come exactly as you are.

Choosing a counsellor is personal, and it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with.

Before starting counselling, I offer a free initial chat. This gives us the chance to meet, talk briefly about what has brought you here, answer any questions and see whether we feel comfortable working together.

Your first counselling session is not a formal assessment, and you will not be expected to share everything at once. Some people know exactly what they want to talk about, while others are unsure where to begin. Both are completely okay.

There is no set plan or timeline. You can bring whatever feels important, and we will work at a pace that feels right for you.

Whether you are struggling with trauma, anxiety, grief, chronic pain, changes to your health or simply feeling overwhelmed by life, you are welcome here.

You do not need to have the right words. You can come exactly as you are.