Hello, I’m Katy Acton.
I ‘m a warm, professional Counsellor/ Psychotherapist and Accredited registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The BACP voluntary register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists is regulated by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social care. My registration number is 98695 and can be checked here. I follow the BACP’s ‘Ethical guidelines for the counselling professions’ - which can be found here www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/.
I sincerely believe that counselling is a vocational job, with people at the heart. I decided to retrain as a counsellor after counselling helped me through a difficult time in my life. So I have my own experience of being a counselling client and have seen its positive effects on my life. As an individual I am committed to being trustworthy, sincere and acting with integrity. It’s my aim to provide an accepting safe space, free from judgement. I will be there to accompany and collaborate with you, on your journey to self-understanding and peace of mind.
I’m an Integrative Counsellor & Psychotherapist. This means I’m trained in, and choose to work with, several therapeutic approaches. I believe each individual benefits from an approach tailored to their personality and what they are experiencing in their life. I work with the psychodynamic approach to understand how my client’s past experiences may have shaped, and be influencing, their present reality. The Humanistic approach, through being empathic and treating my clients with unconditional positive regard and congruence. This unconditional acceptance provides conditions that I hope, will result my clients feeling able to be their authentic self. And Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to help my clients to move forward with coping strategies, goal setting and thought challenging. As well as theories and skills, my Counselling & Psychotherapy degree covered neuroscience, psychopathology and multicultural counselling; all of which inform my practice. I’m also a trained Children’s Yoga Teacher and my knowledge of mindfulness, gratitude and the power of the breath, also underpin my approach. I have completed further training in working non-verbally using a variety of creative methods from drawing, to using toy animals and photographs. I’m always client-led in working this way.
Above all else, I am here to listen and support without judging.
Qualifications
BA (hons) Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy (First Class Pass) - 3 years
BACP Accredited Registered Member
Understanding Counselling Skills and Theories - Level 2 - 30 weeks
Understanding Counselling Skills and Theories - Level 3 - 30 weeks
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling - (80 hours)
Supervision - (50 teaching hours, plus 20 supervision practice hours)
Rewind Technique Practitioner - Rewind Technique Trauma Therapy with IARTT (British Psychological Society approved)
Further Training (CPD)
Single Session Therapy with Professor Windy Dryden
How to break the cycle of Depression with Human Givens Approach
Mindfulness Foundation Course (6 weeks)
Narcissism and Echoism
Imposter Syndrome
Bereavement and loss
Disordered Alcohol Drinking
Domestic Violence Awareness
Unblocking emotions
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Suicide
Self-harm
Stress and Burnout
Why do we dream?
Online exploitation of children
Talking to teens about relationships in a digital age
Creative skills in counselling (2 days)
Childhood sexual abuse and its effects into adulthood
Play therapy with 6-12 year olds (2 days)
Basic child protection
The essential toolkit for running groups
Novel psychoactive substances
Equality and diversity
Disordered eating and attachment
Pre and Perinatal trauma: Life in the womb
Cosmic Kid’s: Teaching kid’s yoga
Emergency First Aid Level 3 (VTQ) and Basic Life Support training
Infection control (covid)
BACP Certificate of Proficiency
Postnatal Depression Awareness Diploma - Distinction
Three Principles Coaching Diploma - Distinction
Experience
I have over 15 years of experience of working with clients of various ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and gender. While I was training, I completed my student placement with Basildon Women’s Aid; working with women who had (or were currently) experiencing domestic violence and Open Door Interventions, working with 12-21 year olds. I stayed on to volunteer with both agencies long after completing my training hours; working at each for two years. I also volunteered with Thurrock Mind for 1 year when newly qualified, working with clients with mental health problems. Before starting my own private practice.
I am both experienced in and work with clients on both a short-term (6-8 sessions) and long-term basis (over 2 years). I’m also trained to work in single session therapy (please see therapy page for more information). I’m client-led on the number of sessions you may need. This means we will regularly check in to review how things are going, the frequency of sessions or plan working towards ending.
As well as in-person counselling, I’m trained and qualified to work online via video or by telephone.
I have undertaken training in the Rewind Technique. This process is beneficial for clients who are suffering with PTSD or traumatic flashbacks/memories of past abuse, trauma or being in (or witnessing) life threatening situations. There is no need to disclose details about what happened during the traumatic event, to engage in this approach. Please see www.iartt.com for more information.
I am particularly experienced in working with people who have experienced bereavement and supporting them in grief, after facilitating a community bereavement support group for 3.5 years and authoring an online ‘facilitating a bereavement support group’ CPD course for peers.
It feels important for me to explain that I work with each client as a whole person and not just their symptoms. This means we will look at your whole life - past, present, relationships etc - aiming to understand patterns and behaviours and how they might be helping you to cope or making things worse. This means I can work with people with most problems and will be honest with you if I think I’m not the right therapist for you. Directing you to another support avenue or specialised therapist.
I’m particularly experienced of working with clients who are experiencing the following:
Bereavement & Loss
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship or friendship problems
Life transitions
Domestic Violence
Burn out and overwhelm
Anger management
Low self-esteem
Exam-related stress
Work-related stress
Family/parenting stress
Panic attacks
This list is not exhaustive. If you are going through something that is not listed here, but would still like to work with me, please get in touch to discuss further.
