About me
Hello, I am Cathy, a Qualified Integrative Counsellor and Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), offering face-to-face counselling in Basingstoke.
I provide a warm, welcoming and inclusive space for adults, children and young people. My approach is grounded in empathy and compassion and I aim to create an environment where difference and diversity are embraced and where you feel truly seen, heard and respected.
My passion for supporting others began while studying Drama at The University of Winchester, where I explored the positive impact of creative approaches on young people’s emotional wellbeing. This experience led me into a career of over seventeen years in education, where I have worked in pastoral roles including Student Inclusion Worker, Learning Mentor, DSL and Infant School ELSA. My love of working with young people continues to this day, and in addition to my private practice, I continue to work as a School Counsellor offering accessible support and early intervention to secondary age students.
Alongside my work in schools, I have gained extensive counselling experience with both young people and adults through agencies and charities such as YPI Counselling, The Mindspace Foundation and Victoria’s Promise. These opportunities have given me the privilege of supporting a wide range of clients and have shaped the foundation of my counselling practice.
While much of my background comes from working with children and young people, my counselling training also inspired a strong interest in supporting adults. The work I have undertaken with adult clients has been both meaningful and rewarding, and I am keen to expand this further in my private practice. I therefore warmly welcome clients of all ages to my counselling space.
Since establishing my private practice in November 2023, I have been offering individual counselling to clients of all ages and backgrounds, facing a wide range of issues. Using an integrative approach, I draw on a variety of therapeutic models, tailoring each session to your unique needs and creating a space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace.
Above all, I aim to offer an inclusive, collaborative and compassionate space where you feel respected, supported and free to be your authentic self. Together, at a pace that feels right for you, we can explore both past and present experiences and work towards positive change and improved wellbeing.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified Integrative Counsellor and a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Counselling Qualifications
- CPCAB - Post Qualifying - Level 5 - Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- CPCAB – Level 4 – Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB – Level 3 – Certificate in Counselling Studies
- CPCAB – Level 2 – Certificate in Counselling Skills
- CPCAB – Level 2 – Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills
Further Training and CPD
Including but not limited to -
- Suicide Prevention Awareness Training - HSCP
- Self-harm Awareness Training - Solent Mind
- Supporting Grieving Children and Families - Cruse
- An Introduction to the Trauma-Informed Journey - HSCP
- Working with Dissociative Disorders in Clinical Practice - Carolyn Spring
- Child Protection in Education 11-18 (Annually)
- The Prevent Duty Training (Annually)
- Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People who struggle to open up/talk in Therapy - Charlotte Bray
- Disordered eating and Attachment - Deep Release (PACT)
- Integrating TA Creatively into your Counselling Practice - Deep Release (PACT)
- Taming the Inner Critic - Deep Release (PACT)
- Trust and Betrayal - Deep Release (PACT)
- Releasing Blocked Emotions - Deep Release (PACT)
- Shame and Attachment - Deep Release (PACT)
- Beyond Fear and Shame: Enhancing Understanding and Communication with Neurodivergent Clients Experiencing Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating. (NEDDE)
- Ongoing commitment to continued professional development.
Current Roles
- Counsellor - Private Practice - Cathy Mitchell Counselling
- Secondary School Counsellor
Previous Experience
- Youth Counsellor- YPI Counselling
- Counsellor - The Mindspace Foundation
- Counsellor - Eastleigh Youth Counselling
- Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) (Infant School)
- Student Inclusion Worker and Designated Safeguarding Lead (Secondary School)
- Learning Support Assistant
- Drama Facilitator
- Student Mentor (Pupil Referral Unit)
Member organisations
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My standard counselling fee is £55 per session. However, I am committed to providing an accessible service for everyone, and may be able to offer a reduced fee for students or those experiencing financial challenges. Please feel free to discuss your circumstances with me if you feel this may apply.
When I work
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I currently have limited availability - Mondays fortnightly at 11 am.
If you would like to be added to my waiting list for either Monday (daytime) or Thursday (Eve) please feel free to email me.
Further information
How I work with children
For many young children, talking about feelings can feel daunting. That’s why I often use creative and play-based techniques such as art, crafts, games, storytelling and symbols as part of our work together. These approaches can help children share thoughts and emotions in ways that feel natural and less pressured.
By combining creative play with gentle conversation and age-appropriate psychoeducation, I support children in understanding their feelings, making sense of their experiences and developing helpful ways to cope.
Please note that children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who is required to remain on the premises. There is a small, comfortable waiting room available for parents and guardians.
