Catherine Petersen
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
Every day life can seem overwhelming at times...stress, anxiety, loss or depression or relationship issues can affect us at any time and at any age - this is not a 'weakness'. Modern day living can put huge pressure on us emotionally - I understand and can help.
I will help you feel more calm and in control of life even if everything feels overwhelming at the moment. I can help you feel more comfortable in your own skin and get you to a place where you can share your own story with no fear of judgement or criticism. I use a 'person centred' counselling approach (but let's cut out the jargon!) this simply means that we will be working together at a pace that works for you and I will introduce you to tools and techniques that will be carefully tailored to suit your individual needs and get you to where you want to be. We all know the importance of looking after our physical health but what about investing in our mental health? It's just as important.
You may feel that you are caught up in a cycle of anxiety or worry and need some assistance in identifying and breaking these unhelpful thinking patterns to allow you to regain your peace of mind. Together we will effectively identify thoughts, feelings and experiences that may be holding you back. Once identified we then manage them together and let them go.
We continue to live in particularly uncertain times which might bring up feelings of sadness, generalised anxiety, fear or depression. What does my/our future look like? How can I effectively process my past experiences? How can I cope with changes in my job or my relationship? How can I manage social anxiety? All very valid questions and concerns that may lead to uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Maybe you feel that things are getting on top of you more than usual at work or home and you simply need some clarity? Feelings of low self confidence, panic attacks, feeling sad or lacking energy are all understandable reactions. Sharing your thoughts, and personal experiences with a trained professional, absolutely in confidence and without judgement helps. Perhaps you are experiencing relationship issues or work/study pressures are building.
Or maybe you are trying to get to grips with either diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD (for your self or a family member?). You or members of your family might be coping with on- going or new physical health issues that are causing you worry. Maybe you are facing difficulties caused by peri menopause, menopause or ageing? Or maybe your life has changed in an unexpected or unplanned way and you are finding it difficult to adapt? Modern family life isn't always easy, family issues may arise from separation, divorce and/or blended or extended family setups. I can help you unpack your specific areas of concern and supply you with tools and techniques to help you feel more comfortable and more at peace.
I understand that taking the decision to contact a counsellor might feel difficult at first, but it represents a really important step towards investing in yourself by gaining a better understanding of your feelings and relationships. If making that first call seems too daunting, why not drop me a short email with your areas of concern? I also offer a short free of charge telephone call if you just want a quick chat to see if counselling is for you.
Counselling forms a very important part of your self care. It really can help to share your thoughts and feelings in a non judgemental and confidential* place. Whilst I do advertise here, the majority of my clients come from referrals and recommendations from existing clients. Also my previous clients do return if something new is bothering them after their counselling has completed. If I sound like someone you might like to move forward with, do get in touch - I look forward to hearing from you soon. I am currently offering on line and telephone counselling.
*Privacy Policy
I am a Member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) Membership no: 729521. I am also ICO (Information Commissioners Office) registered No: ZA414439.
I am committed to protecting your privacy under UK GDPR ( General Data Protection Guidelines) and BACP ethical guidelines. A full copy of my Privacy Guidelines will be provided upon request or after contracting and before therapy commences.
Any data protection complaints will be acknowledged within 30 days of receipt prior to being investigated under the Data (use and access) Act 2025.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a fully qualified and experienced person centered counsellor with a Diploma in Integrative Counselling (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists BACP Accredited) and I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP) I also have a first degree in Psychology (Hons) and a Masters degree.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
I also have 25 years experience of training and development in various public sector and private sector corporate environments. I offer career coaching, interview preparation support plus redundancy and retirement counselling.
In addition to my established private counselling practice, I have provided voluntary counselling for 8 years at a local charitable organisation for individuals who experienced difficulties relating to unemployment, bereavement, anxiety, loss, self harm, sexual abuse and low self esteem.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Redundancy counselling
Young adult counselling
Adult orphan counselling
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer the following fee structure:
Free initial telephone or Zoom short assessment and thereafter per 50 minute session:
£50 Individuals
When I work
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I have availability for most weekday lunch times, afternoons and early evenings and also Saturday mornings until 1pm .
I am offering online and telephone counselling at the moment.
Further information
Initially some people are unsure if counselling is for them, so I offer a free short initial telephone assessment. This short assessment outlines the counselling process and answers any queries that you may have. Please ensure when booking that you let me know if you would like the free initial short assessment.
If client timings allow, the free initial short assessment can be followed immediately by a full 50 minute counselling session. (The normal counselling fee will be payable at the end of these sessions).
- Free on street parking is available
- Near to A2 and Bexley Village
- Bus routes: 269,229 and 132
- Nearest train stations: Bexley and Albany Park
