Catherine Aird

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MSc., MBACP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Maidstone, Kent, ME14
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am an experienced, qualified and BACP-registered Counsellor, with a Master’s degree in Therapeutic Counselling, currently available to work in the evenings from Monday to Friday via telephone or remote video call. My therapeutic approach is Integrative, with Person-Centred values at my core. I draw upon various other modalities including Psychodynamic, CBT, NLP and principles of coaching, to ensure I tailor my approach to each person’s individual needs.

When you search for a counsellor, it is important that you find the right person for you for counselling to be effective. You may read about how counselling offers a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space for you to explore different thoughts and feelings you may have and any difficulties you may be facing. As a Counsellor, I can offer you this, not only because I am trained to do so, but because I believe in these values wholeheartedly as a person.

It can be daunting talking to a complete stranger about personal thoughts and feelings. I would like to tell you a little bit about me and my way of working so that you know what to expect before getting in touch.

I work on a 1:1 basis with people. Every day, regular people, who are and can be extraordinary. People who think that because of their past, they don’t have a future. People who feel they have tried everything to feel better and that nothing works. People who think they are too old to make a change or live their life. People who aren’t sure what they are looking for, or who don’t quite believe that they can achieve anything, let alone make meaningful change in their lives. I am adept at supporting people when they feel trapped, overwhelmed or hopeless, in developing a sense of control over their lives, whether past, present or future. Once they are in control, they often experience hope for a better and happier future, and take the steps towards making that a reality, in the ways in which they want and need.

I have extensive knowledge in the following areas: Trauma, Bereavement & ADHD and Autism (particularly in women). My professional background prior to my counsellor training was in Policing, followed by working with young adults with SEND to support them into the workplace. I currently work as a senior manager at a hospice, therefore I have a strong understanding of experiences relating to palliative care.

I also have extensive experience in supporting trainee counsellors during their training and post-qualification, in support of their professional development into safe, effective practitioners.

How will counselling work, with me? 

Every therapeutic process is unique, and I am committed to understanding and learning you and your way. Counselling is not a tick-box process to me. No two people are the same, therefore no therapeutic process will be the same. We work at your pace and every step of the way, if you wish, I will explain to you the way in which we are working, so that you can develop an understanding of your own unique process - counselling is a process we work through together, it is not something I do “to you” or “for you”. It involves exploring and processing your thoughts, feelings and experiences to deepen your own understanding of yourself, which can then lead to the development of healthy coping strategies when facing challenges, and, more often than not, positive change and personal “growth”.

What can you expect from me if I were your counsellor?

Compassion, understanding and patience are at the heart of my approach. I wholeheartedly believe that every person deserves to be listened to, heard and understood without fear of judgement. I believe this is important within the therapeutic relationship, but it is even more important that this is something we all learn to afford ourselves as well. Building and honouring the trust within our therapeutic relationship will be an important goal for me throughout our work together.

If you enquire about whether you would like to work with me as your counsellor, we can then arrange a call (at no cost to you) to answer any questions you may have, before you decide whether you would like to continue working together.

See below for testimonials from people I have previously worked with.

Training, qualifications & experience

Masters Degree - MSc Therapeutic Counselling

BSc (Hons) Criminology with Psychology 

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Therapies offered

Fees

£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Online/Telephone only

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I am available weekday evenings from 5pm

Further information

Testimonials from people I have previously worked with:

A lovely lady recommended Cat and I admit I was sceptical, I thought that what would follow would be a repeat performance of previous counselling. What I found was unlike any counselling I have ever experienced.

Cat heard me, she listened to me and I felt she metaphorically held my hand as I walked out of the fog I’d been living in. The clarity I have now is amazing and every day I learn more about myself. I am learning to love myself. I am beginning to love the faults, defaults as well as the positive, creative and unique individual that was buried under conditioned behaviours developed within a dysfunctional family system.

Cat had the ability to guide me without leading and this has helped me to realise many things. That I was in control of my own healing, that I intuitively knew what I needed.

If you have lived through decades of abuse which has been wrapped in a package labelled ‘love’? Cat has the specific skills to tailor a recovery for you with authentic compassion and empathy I have not known before!  

I would like to share a quote that kept me seeking help for many years even though I met many brick walls.

“Human sickness is so severe that few can bear to look at it...but those who do will become well” ~   Vernon L Howard

Cat, I chose to believe the lie rather than look at the sick environment I lived in and I am so looking forward to my future now. Thank you so very much!

​Female - 59 years old

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"I found Cat's gentle and reassuring voice so helpful with my chaotic mind and panic attacks during my therapy. Because of Cat's professionalism I was able to offload all my problems in a 6 month period of weekly sessions. Gradually Cat helped me get to the core of my problems which helped me overcome my panic attacks. I am now going into the future with a more positive outlook. I highly recommend Cat."

Male – 49 years old

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​"Cat is a very professional counsellor. She's empathic and very astute. She has helped me a lot in the time I've known her and really made me face my fears and concerns."

Female - 55 years old
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​"Since starting counselling I have been given a chance to share thoughts and feelings I otherwise wouldn't have and now have a better understanding of myself and am more self aware."

Male – 19 years old

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"Catherine Aird has provided effective counselling for clients within our organisation for several years. These clients have become more confident/empowered. This has enabled them to move forward in their personal lives and with employment."

Counselling Practice Manager

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​"Volunteering as a mentor for the mental health charity I worked at, Cat proved to have the unique quality of balancing being professional, yet also remaining friendly and approachable. She is very knowledgeable in her field and has an enormous passion for supporting people. I believe she is an excellent therapist who has the skills and dedication to be able to support and help many people in her future practice.   A client she worked with who had received many years of therapy and support, stated ‘I have never felt as listened to and supported as I have with Cat’."

JS, Voluntary Placement Manager

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Maidstone, Kent, ME14

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older Adults

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Microsoft Spaces
Whatsapp
Zoom
Catherine Aird
Catherine Aird