Why I became a counsellor
I’m Kathy King, a therapeutic counsellor offering in-person counselling for both adults and young people from my cabin in Brockenhurst in the New Forest, and from Highcliffe in Christchurch. I also offer online sessions throughout the UK.
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent many years building a career in marketing, working in large organisations where success was measured by achievement. I worked hard, enjoyed what I did (mostly) and was always striving for the next promotion.
Yet beneath it all was a persistent feeling that I wasn't quite enough.
No matter what I achieved, the goalposts seemed to move. On the outside, life looked good. On the inside, I was exhausted. Always feeling on edge.
Like many people, I searched for answers in self-help books and anything that promised a different way of feeling. Some of it made sense, but none of it really explained how to stop feeling this way. So I kept resorting to unhealthy soothing habits.
The question that changed everything
Through my own therapy, I began to understand how my experiences had shaped the way I related to myself and to others.
For the first time, I stopped asking, "How do I stop feeling this way?" Instead I asked, "Why have I always felt this way?"
The constant striving, the self-criticism and the feeling of never quite measuring up weren't personality flaws. They were ways of coping that had developed for good reasons.
As I began to understand myself, something shifted. I found greater acceptance, more self-compassion and a sense of choice that hadn't been there before.
How we work together
Today, my work is rooted in the belief that lasting change comes from understanding ourselves with curiosity rather than judgement.
When we begin to make sense of our story, we can start to loosen the grip of old patterns and relate to ourselves (and others) in a kinder, more accepting way.
I honestly can't recommend Kathy enough. She provides a completely safe, welcoming and non judgemental space to be able to fully relax and be completely honest about any situation you may find yourself in or need to work through. I have some wonderful friends but being able to fully work through complicated feelings of grief (and not over-burden friends) has been invaluable. Kathy really makes you feel as if you're working through it together and that you're completely normal.
Counselling has helped me to be more honest with myself. Speaking difficult things out loud has made my experiences feel more real and easier to acknowledge. Although talking openly about my childhood and feelings has been very hard, I can see that it is part of my healing process, and it is something I want to continue.
I have learnt more about myself in the past 12 weeks than ever before.
Professional qualifications
I am a fully qualified therapeutic counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My training is in humanistic integrative counselling, which means I draw on many different approaches. Most importantly, I work relationally. The focus is on you as an individual — your experiences, relationships, patterns and feelings. And on the relationship between us.
As part of my on-going training I am a member of Carolyn Spring's Complex Trauma Training Hub which meets for weekly in-depth training in working with complex trauma. I am passionate about helping people unravel their difficult pasts to create a more hopeful future.
I have also undertaken specialist trianing to work with young people aged 11-18.
Level 4 Diploma in Humanistic Therapeutic Counselling
Member of The Complex Trauma Training Hub (Carolyn Spring), Ongoing in-depth trauma training
Working with Relational Trauma: Dealing with Disorganised Attachment (Carolyn Spring)
Dealing with Distress: Working with Suicide & self-Harm (Carolyn Spring)
Working with Shame (Carolyn Spring)
Neurodiversity Affirming Therapy with Autism and ADHD Clients (PESI)
Working With Young People Course (Stage 1: Introduction to Counselling Young People, BACP)
Level 2 Safeguarding Children
Enhanced DBS Certificate
You are welcome to come as you are
You do not need to have the right words or know exactly what you need before getting in touch.
If something's telling you that now's the time to unravel your past to understand your present, or to deal with what's causing you distress right now, get in touch.
Therapeutic counselling for adults and teenagers experiencing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem, bereavement, trauma and relationship difficulties.
Online counselling across the UK - In-person sessions in Brockenhurst in the New Forest & Highcliffe in Christchurch - Registered Member of BACP (422231).
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