Catherine Clay
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I specialise in working with couples and individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships. With postgraduate qualifications in integrative therapies, a Masters degree in psychotherapy and a research thesis on separation and co-parenting, as well as extensive experience in therapeutic practice, I am well positioned to support you as you explore and reflect on the relationships that are meaningful to you.
As a couples counsellor I know that it can be lonely and frightening when things are not right between you and your partner. Often the people who come to me still love each other very much, but need a little help in getting through a difficult time. Other times they may be thinking about separating, but want a neutral space to explore what that really means before they make decisions. I can help by respecting your relationship and your choices, and by never taking sides or judging.
As a person centred psychotherapist my methods are inherently client led. I will work with you without agenda or bias, on whatever issues are important to you. I integrate relational theory into my work, which may involve reflecting on behavioural patterns in your relationships with family, friends and partners. I engage actively in the work, meaning that I will offer suggestions or reflections on what you share with me, to the extent that you want me to.
It can be daunting to choose a therapist just based on an on-line profile. To remove some of the uncertainty I am always happy to have a free initial conversation via Zoom or over the phone, so that you can get a feel for who I am and how I work.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Masters degree in psychotherapy, as well as further qualifications in psychology, counselling, couples therapy and psychosexual studies. My training comprised theoretical studies and supervised practical placements over a period of four years, and included a research dissertation on the topic of therapeutic support for separating couples, and co-parents post separation.
I am an accredited member of the BACP. I utilise theory and practices from humanistic and relational therapeutic models. I believe that we can gain valuable insights about ourselves by exploring how we manage relationships with others; the good and the bad, and all the ones in between.
I have worked with several mental health organisations in North Yorkshire, including Just B and Talking Spaces (St Michael's Hospice) in Harrogate, the Charlie’s Angel Centre Foundation and Phoenix Health and Wellbeing.
Member organisations
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.
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
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
I have additional training and experience of working with clients who are experiencing relationship ruptures, for example infidelity and trust issues.
I am a member of Resolution; a community of family justice professionals committed to supporting families going through separation and divorce by working constructively, collaboratively and in a non-confrontational way.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 - £85.00
Additional information
I offer individual and couples therapy, either face to face or via Zoom. Individual sessions are generally 50 mins long and couples sessions 60 mins, but longer or shorter sessions can be arranged depending on your needs and my availability.
Individual sessions are £70 and couples sessions £85.
Appointments are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and 4pm. At the moment I am not able to offer evening or weekend sessions.
Further information
My counselling room is located in Princes Square in Harrogate, only a few minutes walk from the train and bus stations. There is typically parking available nearby, at town centre rates.
