Kate Swan

I am an experienced psychosexual & relationship therapist using a relational approach, to work with individuals of any race, culture, religion or sexual orientation (LGBTQ) and Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity (GSRD).

I see adults for a wide range of emotional problems and relationship issues.
I work with both specific issues and psychotherapeutically, for short or longer term work, as required.
I have completed a post-graduate training in Psychosexual Therapy, (Sex & Relationship Therapy) and can offer this to both individuals and couples, to explore sexual and relationship issues at depth.

My approach overall is to be relational - psychotherapy is said to be the intentional use of the therapeutic relationship to bring about healing and growth for clients, and the relationship between us will be at the heart of the work undertaken. I am gentle, supportive, respectful and genuine, with a strong belief in the quality of the relationship between us as being vital to the outcomes of therapy. I work with authenticity and genuineness, and a fundamental respect for your autonomy throughout our work together.

I am an integrative practitioner, combining a number of theoretical models to meet individual needs. My core way of working is client-centred, with a strong attachment-informed perspective. Attachment theory acknowledges the impact of early relational experiences as they affect styles of relating in adulthood.
My first therapy training combined the Person Centred Approach, Existential therapy and Transactional Analysis, later adding attachment-informed perspectives and psychodynamic principles to work at greater depth with historic experiences, such as trauma, attachment issues and abuse. I use a trauma-informed model to address post-traumatic issues.

I am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and work with absolute respect for their Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy.

I receive regular clinical supervision, ensuring ethical and safe practice is maintained.

Working with Relationship  and/or Sexual Issues

I work with both individuals and couples (and other kinds of relationships) to explore relationship issues. It can be valuable to have the space to explore your own patterns of relating, which can be reparative and healing for you, allowing authentic and satisfying adult relationships of your choosing to follow.

I am a qualified Integrative Psychosexual Therapist, and work with a range of psychosexual issues, for example,

• Sexual shame
• Compulsivity
• Recovery from sexual violence as an adult or a child
• Sexuality and gender identity
• Difficulties with arousal and desire
• Development of the sexual self and sexual self esteem and understanding/acceptance (Sexual Health)
• Sexual relationship difficulties where attachment issues may be present
• Couples and other relationships, including the deepening of the relationship or attending to sexual difficulties
• Recovery after betrayal or relationship breakdown

My belief is that sexual health, and the ownership of a healthy sense of individual sexuality, is a vital part of our humanity. Therefore, it can be so very valuable to have a space in which this significant part of a person's sense of identity and sexual expression can be explored, validated and developed. I aim to bring a gentle, non-shaming approach that can help facilitate this, recognising very much how difficult it can be to talk about your sexuality and sexual difficulties. You will always be met with warmth, respect and recognition of your autonomy and choices.

Working with Anxiety

I have a special interest in anxiety disorders and believe a combination of a client centred approach along with CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to be an especially effective enabler of insight when combined with a trusting, warm and safe therapeutic relationship. CBT works with the premise that all feelings and behaviours are generated by the thoughts we believe - "I think, I feel, I act", always in that order. When these thoughts and beliefs are accessed and explored, new understanding and behaviours are possible which enhance enjoyment in life, resourcefulness and resilience in difficult situations.

Examples of Anxiety Disorders which respond well to CBT-type interventions are:

• Social Anxiety (including eating & drinking in public, public speaking)
• Health Anxiety
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Phobias
• Panic

Existential concerns are present for all humans; how do we live in the world and accept the inevitable anxiety created by the existential angsts of: Freedom versus responsibility; the quest for meaning & purpose; the need to be meaningfully connected in human relationship; and the difficulty of endings, of which death is the ultimate? Here, a connection to the here and now of our existence can be liberating; through the practice of mindfulness it is possible to live fully the moment you are in, where anxiety is met with a trust in our inner resources, and a tolerance of uncertainty can be nurtured.

CPD training I have undertaken includes: Working with Embodiment in Psychotherapy; Attachment and Couples Relationships; Integration of Psychotherapeutic perspectives; Attachment patterns linked to neuroscientific advances; Attachment and family systems; Polyvagal Theory, Working online in the time of Covid; Treating Compulsive Sexual Behaviour; Trauma informed working; The impact of ADHD on relationships



Other information

I also subscribe to these BACP specialist divisions:

• Association for Pastoral and Spiritual Care and Counselling (APSCC)
• Counselling Children & Young People (CCYP)

For Individuals:
I offer a free initial session of up to 30 minutes by phone or Zoom, without obligation, which gives us an opportunity to meet each other, ensuring that what I offer feels right for you. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any questions and to be comfortable beginning to work together.
I charge £60 per session, sessions are of an hour's duration.

For Couples:
£80 for a 60 minute session, or £120 for sessions of 90 minutes.

Evening appointments are available on a flexible basis.

Concessional rates may be negotiated dependent on individual circumstances as available.

I also offer clinical supervision of client work for both individual practitioners and groups. Please do ask for more details if you and some peers would like to form a facilitated supervision group.

I offer Group and Individual Supervision support for staff in organisations involved in therapeutic or associated helping roles. Please get in touch to discuss forming a Service Level Agreement specific to your organisation.