a space to be heard

Katie Clark

 

I am a qualified Humanistic Counsellor.  I have many years of experience of Counselling; working mainly with young people aged 13-25 and with parents of adolescents.  A client once told me that she came to me feeling like a crumpled piece of paper and the work we did together helped to smooth that paper out.

My aim is to hold a safe space for my clients, to offer kindness and empathy without judgement.  To do this I use my training and experience to listen and help you navigate your way through whatever difficulties life is throwing at you.   There is enormous power in being listened to, being seen and being heard.  I believe this is where the healing starts. 

​I have worked in all the Secondary schools in Winchester, at Peter Symonds College, Andover College and at the University of Winchester.  I find young people fascinating, I like them and I am good at building relationships with them.  I also have experience of working with adults and am particularly interested in working with parents of adolescents to support them in what can sometimes be a daunting journey.

So if you are struggling, if your mind feels to busy or too noisy.  If just putting one foot in front of the other each day feels like walking through treacle I think I can help you to ease those feelings.

 
 
 
 

Where I work

I work at Unit 12 and can be flexible around days and times. I work in a private Counselling space based in the centre of Winchester on Thursdays. I can also provide sessions online throughout the week.

counselling@unit12 can be found on the map at bottom of the page. Otherwise, you can contact me at katie@katieclarkcounselling.co.uk or telephone: 07884 278817.

 
 

Fees

I offer an initial 15 minute telephone conversation free of charge.  

Counselling sessions are 50 minutes face-to-face or online.  All sessions cost £60. 

I offer a reduced cost of £55 for blocks of 6 or more sessions booked together.

Image by Frank McKenna

Image by Frank McKenna

I am a Humanistic Counsellor with almost 20 years of experience working in and around Winchester.  My counselling is very much about building a relationship with my client and working together to understand what is problematic for you and how to work through that to a safer, calmer, happier space.  I am not an expert on you - you are.  But I have training and experience that enables me to support you with whatever difficulties you are living with.   I cannot fix you, but I can listen and help you navigate your way to a better place in your life.

My aim is to hold a safe space for my clients, to offer kindness and empathy without judgement.  To do this I use my training and experience to listen and help you navigate your way through whatever difficulties life is throwing at you.   There is enormous power in being listened to, being seen and being heard.  Sometimes our work may just involve talking and listening.  At other times we may draw on more creative processes, working with art, sand tray work, big empathy drawing or play.  I aim to use my skills and experience to support you using whatever tools you find helpful. 

It may be that you have a specific issue that you want to work through or it may be that you cannot work out what is troubling you. Perhaps your mind feels too noisy, too busy or you feel like you are walking through treacle – I can offer you a safe space to offload, to explore your emotions and ultimately to heal, at least in some way.  It may be that you are overwhelmed by grief but need to get on with your day-to-day life.  It may be that you are feeling anxious or depressed or it may be that you are having trouble working out exactly who you are and where you fit.   I can provide space to explore all these things and I can hold you through this process. ​​​

​​​I have experience of working with neurodiverse clients and am very comfortable with this client group – whether they have a specific diagnosis or not.

Having worked in pastoral and safeguarding roles in different settings I also have experience of working with parents of adolescents.   I am interested in working with parents to help forge healthy emotional relationships with their children whilst also looking after their own needs.

​​I am trained in the theory called Transactional Analysis and this provides the scaffolding for all of my work.   It informs the thinking and planning I do for clients both in and out of the counselling room.   I am also trained in Trauma Informed Practice and I have a particular interest in working with clients who have experienced childhood trauma and how this impacts them throughout their lives – both during adolescence and as adults.

Image by Sean Oulashin

My qualifications

  • Diploma in Trauma Informed Practice and Mental Health (Practitioner status) Trauma Informed Schools UK (2022)

  • Certificate, Working with Young People, Redlands Counselling Training (2018)

  • Diploma in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis (2007) BACP Accredited

  • Certificate in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis (2005) BACP Accredited

  • BA(Hons) Public Relations Bournemouth University (1993)

I am a Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and abide by their code of ethics (Membership No. 00585332)

I am registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and comply with data protection law.  I keep accurate and appropriate records in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. If you would like to know more about this please contact me.

I regularly participate in Continuing Professional Development to improve my practice.

I have monthly clinical supervision with a qualified Counselling Supervisor.

I hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate.

I am Safeguarding trained by Hampshire County Council.

Continuing Professional Development

As a member of the BACP and the BACP Private Practice Division I receive and read the monthly journal Therapy Today to keep myself up-to-date.  I also read books on subjects related to Counselling, trauma, neuroscience, neurodivergence and many other subjects.  I am always happy to recommend reading that may be of interest to my clients.

I also undertake short courses both online and in person to keep my practice up to date.  Some examples of this include:

  • How to help clients come back from trauma-related dysregulation (course provider NICABM)

  • CBT principles in working therapeutically with adults and children (BACP)

  • Mental Health Awareness Training with the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families

  • Teens, turmoil and transition with Young Minds

Image by Benjamin Davies

 

I have experience of counselling people in the following areas

  • Anxiety

  • Anger

  • Bereavement

  • Bullying

  • Depression

  • Exam Pressure

  • Family issues

  • Gender Identity

  • Identity/where do I fit?

  • Low self-esteem

  • Low mood

  • Neurodiversity

  • Relationships (friendships/family/romantic)

  • School Refusal

  • Self-harm

  • Sexuality

  • Suicide

  • Trauma