Catherine Waud
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
At certain points in life, some of us find ourselves in what are often described as "dark places," where we may feel lost, hopeless, out of control or with no peace of mind. Having been in such a place myself in the past, I know what it is like to feel helpless and trapped there. However, by talking through my problems and feelings with someone who I felt genuinely cared, someone who could listen without criticism and show understanding without platitudes, I felt like a light had been shone on the darkness; counselling helped me find the strength and self-belief to find my way out. And in a similar way, I want to help you make sense of your world - no matter how crazy or scary it may seem - so you can become free from whatever trap is holding you back.
I offer counselling in a number of settings, including my private practice, where people may be overwhelmed and troubled by a range of feelings: worry, sadness, confusion, anger, guilt, despair, shame, isolation, jealousy etc. I have also helped people tackle specific issues such as anxiety, stress, panic, depression, loss and loss of purpose in life, relationship problems, eating disorders, confusion about identity, including gender identity and transgender issues. Whilst a variety of reasons or events may lead to these feelings, one of the underlying factors can be low self-esteem and counselling can help challenge this too.
I have always been interested in human behaviour, especially the underlying reasons for so called unwanted behaviour, and try to see what other people's worlds look like from the inside.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have had 10 years' experience in a domestic abuse organisation, helping both women and men, which has involved dealing with all forms of abuse and related problems which give rise to many mental health issues eg anxiety, post-traumatic stress, anger etc. I also have 12 years' experience in a local Carers' Centre where I provide a listening ear service concerning matters such as bereavement, depression, stress of being a carer. In 2014, I completed a year's counselling in the Family Unit at Aintree Hospital, again dealing with mental health issues and I have been a counsellor at the Mersey Counselling and Therapy Centre since April 2015.
I am a fully qualified BACP accredited counsellor and offer Person-Centred counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in whatever way is best suited to you. Person-Centred counselling is a gentle, non-directive process that can help you find your own way and become more of your own person. CBT focuses on how unhelpful thought processes can affect your mood and behaviour - and how these can be changed. It involves us working as a team and offers strategies to help deal with negative or unwanted thoughts characteristic of issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, panic and OCD.
I believe our relationship - and especially the trust therein - is important for the quality and depth of our work and would suggest you try a session first before making a commitment. I will work alongside you, not pushing or directing you, but trusting in your own sense of what is, or is not, right for you. Hopefully, you will trust me to do my best to help free you from your 'dark place.'
Member organisations
school 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.
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
Transgender and transssexual experience
Therapies offered
Fees
£30.00 - £40.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
For the initial 30 minute 'taster' session, which can be either face to face or by 'phone, there is no charge.
Though sessions normally take place weekly, this may vary depending on your circumstances.
Payments may be made by cash or bank transfer after each session.
When I work
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I have availability from 0900 to 1900 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 0900 to 1100 on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Further information
I am fully insured and also receive monthly supervision, in accordance with the requirements of the BACP.
