Catherine Thomson, BACP

Catherine Thomson introduces herself as Kate and is a BACP counsellor based in the United Kingdom. She aims to make sessions approachable and down to earth so parents and carers can talk about stress, anxiety, grief, relationship strain, low self-esteem, ADHD and other concerns without feeling judged. Kate uses practical tools and a friendly tone to help people get clearer about what they want to change.

Kate prefers a person-centred way of working. She listens first and then uses creative and solution-focused tools chosen to suit each person. That can include letter writing, vision boards, mindfulness, narrative techniques, sand tray work, play elements and guided exercises to help people reflect and practise new ways of coping.

Clients can expect help with managing difficult thoughts and emotions, setting goals, improving focus, reducing anxiety and working out boundaries. Sessions often include simple exercises and ideas to try between meetings so progress continues outside the room.

Her background includes roles in charities such as Mind and Action for Carers, plus work for BUPA and independent practice. She has five years of experience and has met people from diverse cultural and sexual-orientation backgrounds in both face-to-face and online settings.

Before training as a counsellor she ran businesses, worked in corporate settings and chaired a Parent Teachers Association. That mix of practical experience and counselling practice shapes her warm, non-judgemental style and flexible way of tailoring sessions to each person.

Therapeutic approaches and how they fit online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and learn how to live in line with what matters most to them. It often uses short exercises and values-based goals to reduce avoidance and increase meaningful action, which can suit issues such as anxiety, depression and life transitions.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and how early bonds affect current feelings and behaviour. This approach can help with relationship strain, attachment concerns and intimacy-related issues by helping people understand their emotional responses.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will listen to your needs and preferences and suggest tools from these methods that fit your goals. Decisions are made collaboratively so the plan can change as you learn what helps.

If you want to use online therapy, please confirm which session formats are offered before booking because this profile does not list them. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow quick check-ins when needed. It also lets people try exercises, guided mindfulness and narrative tasks between sessions so the practical work continues day to day.