Catherine Winchester MBACP (Accredited) Psychodynamic Therapy and Supervision
About me
Life is difficult for all of us at some stage or other. Sometimes it feels overwhelming and unbearable. You may be struggling but finding it hard to identify what the trouble is. Maybe you do know but don't see a way out. Such feelings often start early in life, leading to confusion, anger, sadness, relationship problems and difficult or dangerous behaviour. This is why I work with children and teenagers, as well as adults. Whatever your age, the psychodynamic approach will always focus on early experience and relationships, as they are the foundation of who you are now.
When you feel low it can be hard to talk to those close to you, for all sorts of reasons. Exploring your feelings and their origins can really help, when it is in confidence with someone who is not only independent but also well-qualified, experienced and caring. It is an opportunity for you to understand your inner world and the meaning behind troubling feelings, problematic behaviour patterns or depression and anxiety, to help you regain control.
I provide a calm, non-judgemental and insightful perspective. My aim is to build a trusting relationship, within strict professional and ethical guidelines. This means working sensitively and appropriately with all my clients, whatever their age or background, towards their individual goals.
Originally trained and qualified in psychodynamic theory and practice to work with adults, I have had years of further training and experience in counselling children and adolescents.
I am recognised by BUPA and several other insurance providers as a therapist for adults and children.
At Henley Counselling I offer
- one-to-one psychodynamic counselling/ psychotherapy for adults of all ages
- one-to-one therapy for teenagers and children, tailored to their understanding and needs
- and
- clinical supervision for counsellors, psychotherapists and other professionals who work in confidential settings with adults, adolescents and children
The list below covers some of the reasons people may seek help but I see everyone as an individual, rather than a diagnosis.
While social distancing regulations apply, until it is possible to offer face-to-face sessions safely again, all therapy and supervision is conducted by telephone or remote video link (zoom).
Training, qualifications & experience
Professional memberships
Reg MBACP (Accred) - Registered and Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Therapy.
Approved Supervisor and member of Play Therapy UK
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) University of St Andrews, Physiology
Postgraduate certificate (Level 7 with distinction) in Psychodynamic Theory and Counselling Skills, University of Reading
Postgraduate diploma (Level 7 with distinction) in Psychodynamic Counselling, University of Reading
Postgraduate diploma (Level 7) in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling Supervision, Terapia (University of Middlesex)
Certificate in counselling young people, endorsed by BACP, (Level 5)
Experience
- Counsellor working with adults, children and young people for charities in Reading and High Wycombe
- Counsellor in a primary school, a secondary school, a further education college and a university
- Clinical Manager and Clinical Supervisor at No5 Young People in Reading
- Counsellor/psychotherapist for adults in private practice, Henley Counselling
- Counsellor/psychotherapist for children and young people in private practice, Henley Counselling
- Clinical Supervisor of individuals and groups, including trainees and qualified counsellors/psychotherapists and play therapists
- Committee Member of Reading Therapies Group
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
Cutting and other forms of self-harm
Autistic spectrum condition (including Asperger syndrome)
Child sexual exploitation and grooming
Coercive control
Cultural issues
Identity and gender issues
Bereavement by suicide
Difficulties arising from boarding school
Therapies offered
Fees
£60 for the initial meeting and for each regular session.
Concessions are available for student counsellors taking daytime slots. Please contact me to discuss this.
Sessions are weekly, at the same time, for 50 minutes.
My dedicated consulting room is in a safe, peaceful and discreet location in Henley-on-Thames. It is on the ground floor and wheelchair accessible (three broad steps outside) but there is no waiting room. There is free parking in the street.
While social distancing regulations apply, until it is possible to offer face-to-face sessions safely again, all therapy and supervision is conducted by telephone or remote video link (zoom).
Concessions offered for
Availability
10am to 7pm Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Fully booked at present (February 2021) until further notice.
Further information
I attend regular top-up training, workshops, lectures and seminars in topics related to my work.
For further details of how I work, please visit my website: www.henleycounselling.org or contact me by email to arrange an initial meeting.