Cat Callender
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending” — CARL BARD
About Me
As a qualified counsellor and clinical psychotherapist, much of my practice involves working with individuals experiencing a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression or grief as well as those affected by abuse and psychological trauma (PTSD and complex-PTSD).
My therapeutic approach is relational and collaborative and trauma-informed to create a safe space for you to speak about anything you wish to – perhaps the only space in your life where you can do so. Here, your story can not only be heard but honoured, free from judgment, bias or preconceived ideas.
Why Therapy?
The reasons we seek therapy are as unique and varied as, well, you are! But, broadly speaking clients tend to be either after answers to some big life questions, eager to resolve those parts of their lives that have become stuck or painful, or longing to rediscover their internal compass and set a new course.
We can get caught up in sweating the small, day-to-day stuff so much, that we lose sight of who we are and what and where we really want to be. If you feel you’ve lost sight of your purpose in life, then psychotherapy can help you re-discover your mojo and what gives your life meaning.
How Therapy can Help
As there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, I integrate neuroscience, cognitive work, internal family systems (IFS), psychodynamic depth work, dream work, creative techniques, and a range of body-orientated psychotherapies, to sensitively attune to you to witness and hear your story.
The emphasis in our work will be exploring what is important to you, at a pace which suits you. This means me walking alongside you, guiding you where appropriate and requested, as you find answers within yourself. All you need to bring to therapy is yourself as you are in that moment. Together, we will support your experiences and emotions to unfold organically.
Holding in mind your best interests, at the heart of my practice is a soothing and welcoming presence, rooted in openness and compassion. This enables me to listen deeply and be truly present with your thoughts and feelings. Facilitating your connection with your unfolding story in this way, can help you process your emotional responses to painful experiences in your life. Over time, this can be transformational and can nurture an emerging self-assuredness, the ability to live life fully and the beginning of a new narrative: your new story.
Training, qualifications & experience
Studies & Experience
I have been exploring and studying personal growth since 2005 and am a graduate of the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in London - the largest training centre for transpersonal and integrative psychotherapy in the UK and member organisation of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
I have experience in both short and long-term work with adult individuals in private practise, the voluntary sector, and the NHS. I have worked for several agencies in London including counselling work with NHS patients in an IAPT service and depth work with a specialist service providing psychotherapeutic support for survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.
Qualifications
Post Graduate Diploma in Transpersonal Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 7)
Other Training
CPD Frank Anderson's Internal Family Systems Trauma Treatment
CPD in Integrating IFS into the Transpersonal Integrative Approach - An Introduction
CPD in Working with Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
CPD in Sibling Sexual Abuse
CPD in Trauma and the Transpersonal
CPD in Narcissistic Injuries, Neglect & Relational Trauma
CPD in The Challenge of Racism in Therapeutic Practise
Areas of Specialism
Trauma, PTSD & C-PTSD:
Although trauma often goes unrecognised and remains unnamed, it is frequently woven throughout the fabric of many people's lives and impacts them profoundly.
Drawing on a trauma-informed lens in my work, I recognise trauma’s impact on the brain, nervous system, body, emotions and behaviours. By establishing a safe, supportive space for healing, witnessing, attunement, co-regulation, psychoeducation and ‘parts’ dialogue, I facilitate the reprocessing of distress so that clients can progress towards recovery and improve the quality of their life.
Child Sexual Abuse & Sibling Sexual Abuse:
I have spent many years offering support to survivors of child and sibling sexual abuse, including through my volunteer work at the specialist therapeutic service, One in Four.
I understand both the courage and resilience it takes to survive child sexual abuse and the challenges survivors face in their day-to-day. My work embraces the belief that post-traumatic growth is possible so a survivor's personal history no longer dictates who they are and how they live their life.
Anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts and self-harm:
Experiencing emotional highs and lows is part of everyday life. However, sometimes these ups or downs or the seesawing between the two, can feel overwhelming and intolerable. For clients experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or other personality or mood-related issues, I offer therapeutic support by exploring strategies and identifying and drawing on resources within yourself. This helps you navigate these challenging times and improve the quality of your life – whatever that may personally mean.
ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Neurodivergence
There has been an explosion of awareness of neurodevelopmental conditions and greater respect for all the ways in which human brains vary - hence the emergence of the term “neurodivergence”.
In my experience, one of the biggest difficulties neurodivergent individuals face is that their differences are invisible - both to them and to others. When they can't function the way everyone else does, they don't understand it and try to hide their difference, believing there is something wrong with them. This is particularly true for cis-females and ethnic minorities whose neurodivergence has historically gone unrecognised.
As a neurodivergent-affirmative practitioner, the therapy I offer isn't about curing but about changing an individual's unconscious strategies and mistaken beliefs they developed as children; discovering and valuing their neurodivergent gifts and helping them to find new, healthy ways to navigate the neurotypical world in which we live.
Diversity & Inclusion:
I am deeply mindful of the social and cultural forces surrounding us and the ways in which sexuality, gender, ethnicity, faith, and class form us. Seeking to understand the specific challenges my clients experience due to cultural differences, discrimination and isolation, is fundamental to my work. I welcome individuals from all backgrounds, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and/or ethnic minorities.
My Integrative Approach:
Drawing upon a number of therapeutic models, I tailor my approach to ensure each client's specific needs are met.
Cognitive (CBT) approaches can help if you’re stuck in negative self-talk, self-criticism, and negative thought patterns, or if anxiety is capping you from experiencing happiness and living life fully. This approach helps transform such thoughts and behaviours to achieve specific goals and overcome specific issues.
Psychodynamic approaches can help if you have issues from childhood that you’re wanting to resolve. If you’re noticing unhelpful or negative patterns repeating in your day-to-day life, then the chances are that some of your early life templates are influencing you today by playing out. Therapy can work on these engrained issues to free you from your past.
Person-centred/humanistic approaches work with you in the here and now. They focus on your self-development and growth and how you interact with others and express yourself in the world. They also help you answer your big life questions and take responsibility for the decisions and choices you make in life.
Transpersonal approaches help with transformation and expressing your true potential. This facilitates connecting you with your innate wisdom, creativity and essential self and helps explore ways to give expression to this part of you in the world.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): IFS acknowledges the multiplicity of the mind within each of us and posits that our minds are composed of distinct parts, each with its own beliefs and emotions. These parts often interact like a family, with some becoming protective or overwhelmed. Drawing on IFS, we foster harmony among your parts, promoting self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Sibling Sexual Abuse
Intergenerational Trauma
Codependency
Midlife Transitions
Neglect
Survivors of Narcissistic Parents
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£85.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fees are based on the average going rate for a Level 7 trained clinical psychotherapy in the locations that I practise.
Hertfordshire: £85
Marylebone: £100
The clinic is situated in NW1, less than 5 minutes walk from Marylebone Station.
W1 location off Wimpole Street: - please enquire
Appointments at this clinic are charged at a higher rate - please enquire for details. The clinic is situated on the corner of Queen Anne Street and Wimpole Street in Central London. Running parallel to Harley Street, it is within easy reach of Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
I offer a free, no obligation 30 minute conversation for new clients wishing to explore if therapy is right for them. As our work together will be relational, this initial chat offers an opportunity to get to know each other and understand if we will work well together.
When I work
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