Catherine Thomson, BACP

Catherine Thomson works with people facing worry, loss and difficult life changes. She is known as Kate and practises as a counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Her approach aims to help people who feel stressed, anxious or low, and those coping with relationship strain or parenting pressures.

Kate uses a person-centred way of working that starts with the individual. She listens and builds a friendly, non-judgemental space. Practical tools such as mindfulness, letter writing and vision boards are offered where they suit the person.

Her sessions often include creative methods like sand tray work, narrative exercises and play techniques when these are helpful. She also uses psychoeducation and solution-focused strategies to support clearer thinking and goal setting. The mix of approaches is chosen to match each person’s needs and preferences.

Kate has worked in both charity and private settings, including Mind and Action for Carers, and with BUPA. That experience has involved helping people from diverse backgrounds and a range of sexual orientations. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in various contexts.

In practical terms she aims to help people manage negative thinking and unhelpful behaviours, reduce anxiety and set realistic goals. The emphasis is on small, achievable steps so people can build confidence and move forward at their own pace.

Approaches you can explore online with your counsellor

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and to focus on living a life guided by personal values. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood and coping with change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches practical steps to change unhelpful patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression and sleep or worry problems. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on relationship patterns formed early in life and how they affect current connections and trust. It can help with intimacy issues, attachment difficulties and relationship stress.

Finding the right way of working is part of the process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and together decide which approach or combination feels most helpful. This is a collaborative process and can change as work progresses.

Please confirm current session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into busy days, avoid travel and have shorter check-in sessions when needed. It also allows work to continue if life circumstances make face-to-face meetings harder. Registered or accredited professionals often adapt materials like worksheets, mindfulness practice and creative exercises so they work in remote sessions, helping people practise new habits between meetings.