Catherine Rees

If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or want help as you face life's challenges, it sounds like you may be ready to begin counselling with me.

I'm Catherine, and I support adults as they navigate those tough life shifts that can throw us completely off balance. I work closely with people facing:

• Bereavement and loss of a loved one
• Pressures of being a carer
• Life transitions: redundancy, retirement, divorce, health issues 
• Fertility struggles
• Professional burnout
• Anxiety & depression
• Midlife challenges
• Relationship issues

All these experiences can be isolating, even when the people around you are supportive, and there’s often a nagging sense that you “should be coping better.” I understand that, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. 

Together, we will untangle those complicated feelings, work to lower your stress, and find a steady path forward. 

Qualifications & Experience:

I have a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy. 

Alongside my private practice, I volunteer with BlueSci Wellbeing, working with people in crisis. I've also volunteered with the charity Trafford Carers, supporting those with caring responsibilities. 

In person, online and phone sessions:

I'm based in Sale, South Manchester, where I offer face-to-face sessions.  I also run online and phone sessions for clients from across the UK.

A bit about me:

Before training as a counsellor, I spent thirty years in communications, working with business leaders and professional sportspeople in some of the most pressured environments there are, from boardrooms to the media spotlight. Helping people find their voice when the stakes felt highest taught me to listen closely to what lies beneath the words, to stay steady when others feel exposed, and to build trust quickly. 

Now I bring that experience, together with my counselling training, to a more personal space.

Outside of work, I'm a keen runner and love being in nature, especially getting away in my campervan on weekends.

My sessions feel like a conversation, not a clinical appointment. There’s no jargon, I'm very down-to-earth, and there's no pressure to “do therapy right,” just an honest, judgement-free space to say the things you perhaps haven’t said out loud yet.

We'll work together as a team, with you bringing the expertise on your life and me bringing expert training. I’ll listen properly and give you the space to think clearly. Together, we'll start to unpick what’s weighing on you. If things get difficult or you feel stuck, I'll support you as you work through your emotions, making sure we work at a pace that's right for you. 

Over time, we'll build a steadier understanding of who you are and what you need to move forward with confidence.

And if you're unsure what’s going on? That’s okay. You don't need the right words or to know exactly what you're struggling with before talking to me. Most people don't. That's what the sessions are for, and I'm here to guide you.

I'm qualified in person-centred counselling and I'm also CBT-informed, meaning I can tailor the therapy sessions to your individual needs and draw on different therapeutic approaches to support you.

I offer a free 15-minute introductory call, an informal chance to talk about what you’re going through and whether I might be able to help. There’s no pressure or obligation; it’s simply an opportunity for you to get a feel for me and decide whether I’m the right counsellor for you.

If we decide to work together, our first full session will focus on getting to know you: what’s brought you to therapy, the difficulties you’re facing, and any personal history that might help us make sense of what’s happening. It’s also your chance to ask questions and talk about what you’d like to get out of counselling.

Session details:

Sessions last 50 minutes and are available online or face-to-face in Sale, South Manchester. The fee is £60 per session.