Catherine Sharp MBACP(Accred)
About me
Hello my name is Catherine Sharp. I am an experienced BACP accredited and UKCP registered psychotherapist/ counsellor currently working in private practice. I have considerable experience of working within the NHS and with Social Services. I also run workshops and groups dealing with trauma, anxiety, obsessive behaviours and stress. I have co- led a programme working with perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse.
The areas of counselling that I specialise in are depression, anxiety and relationship problems. I also work with clients who feel angry and struggle to find strategies that enable them to express their anger in appropriate ways. I am very experienced in working with loss, sexual abuse, bereavement and low self esteem.
My core training is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Briefly translated I believe we are shaped by the conditions, circumstances and the relationships that we have with the significant people around us as we grow up. Psychodynamic theory also suggests that some of these patterns of relationships, good or bad, might be repeated in later relationships. Part of my work might involve exploring a client’s history in order to understand the influences from the past that have contributed to the person you are at present.
I have also trained in Solution Focused and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. These two therapies are useful for providing step-by-step interventions towards personal goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help clients recognize the link between negative thought patterns and behaviour. As a therapist I would help the client to explore more positive coping strategies and, by working together, introduce changes that result in the client feeling happier and more in control of their lives.
I believe that the quality of the relationship between counsellor and client is vital in bringing about beneficial change. I take care to establish a relationship in which the client feels comfortable to discuss very personal issues and/or beliefs and I make sure that counselling is taken at a pace that is suitable for each separate person.
I am able to see clients in my consulting room at home in Thorpe Waterville. Thorpe Waterville is a quiet village three miles from the A14 at Thrapston and within a 20 minute drive of Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough and Peterborough. The consulting room is comfortable, quiet and relaxed with discreet off road parking and entry.
I am an approved provider registered with the following medical health insurers
Aviva, Nuffield Health, Vitality, Lifeworks, OH Assist and Care First.
Training, qualifications & experience
Cert in Supervision. Lisa Mass Counselling 2019
Cert in Couples Counselling. Relational Academy, Cambridge 2017
Cert in Disordered Eating, Praxis Training, Nottingham 2014
BA (Hons) Professional Studies (Counselling). Leicester University 2009
MBACP (Accredited) 2008
UKRCP registered Counsellor/Psychotherapist 2008
Diploma in Contemporary Psychodynamic Counselling. Leicester University 2005
Certificate in Counselling, Leicester University 2002
Member organisations
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.
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
In this troubling time of the Corunavirus (Covid 19) I am aware of the stress and uncertainty that has resulted. I am happy to work by Skype/Zoom or other remote access links in order to offer support and guidance to those whose wellbeing has been affected. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your personal circumstances and I will do all I can to offer timely and appropriate intervention.
Therapies offered
Fees
I charge £60 per session for individual clients; I am able to give concessions for students or for anybody showing proof of benefits.
Charges for couples are £70 per session, the same concessions apply.
I prefer to be paid weekly; however I am able to send monthly accounts for clients who decide that they wish to enter into longer term work. I accept cash or payment by bank transfer (BACS). For longer term clients it is possible to set up bank transfers or monthly invoices.
Sessions that are cancelled with less than 48 hours notice are chargeable. However I do not charge for pre-arranged breaks or holidays, either my own or the clients’
Further information
Some people may be involved in unhappy relationships or aware that they are repeating negative cycles of behaviour. For others, anxiety, stress or depression might be preventing them from living in a fulfilled way. Sometimes people develop obsessive thoughts or patterns of behaviour that spoil their relationships with others.
Counselling is designed to offer the time and space to explore such difficulties and to provide an environment where the client is enabled, through fresh insight and the implementation of new strategies, to work towards a more satisfying and resourceful way of life.
As a counsellor I aim to provide a safe, non judgmental and confidential space where we work together to identify any problems or difficulties that clients might be experiencing. Initially this might feel emotional and unfamiliar and it is my job to check out that the client is happy with the pace of our work. I also take care to find out how the client manages these feelings in-between sessions and, if necessary, can offer support by phone or email.
Each appointment will last one hour. I recommend that new clients come for an assessment session to make sure that they feel comfortable working with me. There is no obligation to continue. During assessment I take brief factual details and allow time for the client to talk about the reason why they have come into counselling. At the end of the session we can agree on a focus and aims for any future work. The number of sessions is mutually agreed and varies according to each client’s individual needs.
Some clients prefer to come weekly, others find it easier to space their sessions out. When appointments have been arranged it is the client’s responsibility to keep them. I will notify you well in advance of any personal leave. It is my normal proceedure to hold regular reviews in order to check that clients are satisfied with their progress and aims etc.
I am very aware of the importance of the correct handling of personal data and comply with all GDPR regulations. I am happy to explain and clarify how this applies to clients.
