Quintessence Counselling
· Tardebigge Court ·
Counsellor in Redditch, Worcestershire
Happiness is an
Inside Job
How Can I help?
I understand that deciding to see a counsellor can be quite overwhelming, especially if you're unsure of how or where to start, or even why you're feeling this way. You might be thinking that counselling is a last resort, and that your problems don't seem significant enough to seek therapy. Finding the right counsellor for you is crucial, as connecting with someone can genuinely help you feel more at ease and comfortable in sharing what's on your mind. I have written a blog about this very subject as I feel this is key to getting successful therapy. You can read it here.
It's possible that you're the person everyone turns to in a crisis, and you may not like to burden others with your own problems. You might prefer to work through things on your own. Sometimes, life throws things at us that deeply affect us for various reasons, making it hard to open up to friends and family about our problems. As a result, we may struggle to make sense of our emotions and behaviors on our own.
Sometimes we cannot hear our own voice within the noise of our lives!
It is important to acknowledge that sitting on worries and holding in feelings can take a toll on anyone, regardless of age. This can have an impact on both our mental and physical well-being.
Speaking to someone who is not connected to you, your friends, or family can provide a genuine space to talk without judgment or expectation. While conversations with friends and family are valuable, counselling offers a different level of support – it's all about you! You get an entire hour solely focused on how life feels for you and what you would like to change. Doesn't that sound great?
This is your time for investing in personal development and growth.
Get in touch and let me help you discover your needs
and learn how to move forward in your life.
What others have to say
All client feedback shared with permission
"I didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first session but was very surprised how much counselling has helped me after more sessions. Would highly recommend Kat to anyone seeking counselling."
"I didn't really know how i felt, until I said it all out loud. Thank you for helping me do this. I wish I had come to see you sooner!"
“You have helped me restore my knowledge in who I am, my sense of calm and determination. Thank you”
“I came to see Kat at one of the lowest periods of my life I was completely traumatised by personal events, unable to focus on work and really had no idea how to address the issues that were impacting on my well-being.
Kat provided me with a safe place to talk about my problems, she helped me discover “problem-solving techniques” and understand that I cannot always solve everybody else’s problems. Most importantly I’ve learnt to love me and remember to “put me first” at times! “
"I was so nervous about talking to someone I did'nt now, but you made me feel so at ease. I'm so glad I walked through your door!"
Amazing service, Kat is brilliant :)
Shes got me through some of the toughest times of my life.
Highly HIGHLY recommend her.
Kat is awesome and I highly recommend her. She makes you feel at ease. She is obviously very experienced and that is extremely beneficial. Thank you!
About Kat
Hi, I'm Kat and I work with people just like you that are looking for someone to talk to in confidence.
I have always been curious about the human mind, what makes us tick and why we think or behave in certain ways. After studying for a degree in Psychology sparked an even deeper curiosity within me, I knew it was time to look at how I could really help others in need. A dear friend of mine asked me a question once which has never left me. They said: "Why don't you become a counsellor? You're so easy to talk to and you just 'get it". As cliché as it sounds, the rest is history. I looked at the next counselling course available in my area and enrolled. That was the easy part.
During training to be a counsellor, I went through my own personal issues including a long-term relationship break-up which led me through a time where I had to re-evaluate who I really was as a person. Counselling helped me to do this. Sitting on the other side of the room as the client for my own personal therapy was transformational. I was given the space to throw absolutely everything out there... to give it an airing... to beat the pain out of areas of my life that I had held inside for so long and space to be able to rebuild my life back up in the way that I felt more in control and self-aware.
To be a counsellor, the fundamental basis is that you are able to relate, understand and to be able to connect with the other person's emotional experience in a non-judgmental way. More importantly, to really care about helping others through difficult times, which I can genuinely say that I do with all of my clients. Because of my own history and what my fabulous counsellor was able to give me, I want to be able to give back that experience to those that need a helping hand through their problems and to work alongside those that are ready to transform their own lives.
If you would like to start your own personal counselling journey but have some questions still on your mind, I have compiled a "FAQ" page that may answer some of those questions. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to ask for any further information. Below, are my qualifications, experience and any further training that I have taken or am currently taking for your information.
Qualifications, Professional Development and Registration Membership Information
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I am a Senior Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society -SNCPS (Acc.). This means I am experienced and fully qualified to work ethically as a counsellor and appear on a register of qualified counsellors set by the Professional Standards Agency.
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As a member of the NCS, I am required to fulfil at least 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) a year and a minimum of 1.5 hours of Supervision per month
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I follow the NCS Ethical Framework which can be found here
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I am covered by Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance
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I hold a full DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service)
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I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) to be able to store personal and sensitive data in relation to the GDPR guidelines (eg data protection)
Qualifications:
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Bsc Psychology (Hons) 2:1
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Foundation Degree in Counselling
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CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
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CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
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CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
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BACP Certificate of Proficency
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Level 6: Cognitive Psychology
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Level 6: Social Psychology
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Level 5: Child Development
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Level 5: Counselling: Fear and Sadness
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Level 5: Exploring Psychology
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Level 4: Introduction to the Social Sciences
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Level 4: Introduction to Counselling
CPD :
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Certificate in Mindfulness (School of Psychology)
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Diploma in Transpersonal Psychology (Centre of Excellence)
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Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Although my therapeutic approach is mainly Person Centred I also work within other types of modalities where intuitively necessary, such as
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NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)
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Mindfulness
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Inner Child therapy
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Transactional Analysis
CPD, Additional Training & Experience
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Aspergers and Autism Counsellor at a local Worcestershire charity
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Woman’s Aid CRUSH Facilitator Trained (domestic abuse groups for 13-19-year-olds)
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Previously a Mental Health and Learning Difficulties Support Worker
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Founded a successful local Community Centre Counselling Agency in Redditch
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Disassociation Identity Disorder (DID) training days (Trauma and the Brain, Disorganised Attachment, DID Fundamentals), Trauma and the Body, Working with Self Harm and Suicide.
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Enabling Children to speak about feelings through Sandplay therapy
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
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Legal issues working with Children and Young People
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Drug and Alcohol Abuse (West Mercia)
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Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA)
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Youth Offenders Mentoring Training
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NHS Sexual Health and Relationship Workshop
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Safeguarding Children: Abuse and Neglect
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SOVA Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults
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Worcester County Council: Safeguarding Training
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Understanding Behaviour that Challenges
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Professional Boundaries
Some interesting topics on the Blog...
In Summary:
Why choose Person Centred Counselling?
Acceptance, Understanding, Authentic & Genuine
The Person Centred Approach is most helpful for :
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Helping you reconnect with your inner self without the influence of others
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Assisting in the exploration of your feelings
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Helping you cope better with day-to-day stresses
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Addressing patterns of thinking and understanding and changing your inner critical voice
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Facilitating discovering your true and best potential
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Creating a safe space in which you are encouraged to be open and honest with the areas in which you can change
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Helping you recognise your own strength, explore your identity and what it means to be you
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Allowing you to feel heard and understood
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Those who wish to explore their thoughts and feelings
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Those who value personal responsibility
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Those that may have important decisions to make and need time and space to do so
It is less helpful for those:
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Seeking direct advice, diagnosis or psychological analysis
Why?
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Therapy focuses on your feelings and not those of the counsellor
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Encourages independance, self-growth and healing.
Possible Outcomes:
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A deeper awareness and understanding of thoughts, feelings and patterns of behaviours
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Improved self-expression
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Less guilt, shame and feelings of insecurity
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Process past trauma or feelings of loss
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Healthier relationships with self and others
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The feeling of empowerment and more in control of situations