Cathy Rowland
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
INTRODUCTION
Hello. I understand that life can feel challenging sometimes. I am a UKCP-registered EMDR Psychotherapist based in Hove and Steyning, West Sussex. Drawing upon my 30 year career in education and healthcare, I offer Integrative Relational Psychotherapy and EMDR-informed Psychotherapy to adults experiencing depression and trauma.
ABOUT EMDR
EMDR (Eye-movement Desensitisation and Re-processing) is a NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) approved treatment for trauma. It is quite structured and involves the use of bi-lateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping or use of sounds) to enable the brain to fully process trauma in a way which had not been possible before. The form such treatment will take depends upon who you are and what you bring, all of which is explored in our initial two sessions. The goal of such information processing across both brain hemispheres (Adaptive Information Processing) is that the symptoms you bring reduce; whatever from the past felt overwhelming stays in the past, allowing you to inhabit the present moment differently, calmly and thus create a new, positive future.
Having also trained in Attachment-Focussed EMDR, I am able to integrate this very flexible, creative version of EMDR into Integrative Relational Psychotherapy. This is a highly effective component within a therapy aimed at addressing many other issues you may bring arising from the past or the challenges of modern living.
HOW I WORK
I am warm, compassionate, empathetic and respectful, aware that we all share a common humanity. I welcome enquiries from all sectors of the community, listening attentively and without judgement to whatever you bring. I operate an anti-discriminatory and non-oppressive policy.
As finding the right person for you can feel hard sometimes, I offer an initial free 15 minute phone call and two exploratory sessions, before asking you to commit. In these initial sessions, I will seek to gain an understanding of what you bring, answer any questions you have and identify some specifics about how best to move forwards.
In both EMDR-informed and Integrative Relational Psychotherapy, I believe it is important you feel truly seen and heard as we look at things together. So that you can get absolutely what you need, I may also draw upon knowledge and expertise from my 5 year long integrative training. This may include: traditional (psycho-dynamic, TA) and more modern (humanistic) ideas about the human condition, EMDR and other trauma-informed and body-based approaches, IFS (Internal Family Systems) and other ways of understanding how different 'parts' of ourselves work together, as well as considerations about how we fit' with society in our diverse roles and identities. As a former Music Psychotherapist, I am also able to draw upon powerful music-based approaches aimed at getting to the heart of issues, evoking feelings viscerally and safely. Indeed, I am the only Psychotherapist in the UK with these particular skills. If our work together opens up life's bigger questions, I may also work with existential and transpersonal themes - for example about life/loss, purpose, meaning,.
WHO DO I WORK WITH
You may feel you are good fit with me if you experience or recognise in yourself any of the following:
- Depression, low mood, low self-esteem, lack of self worth.
- Difficult managing your anxiety, catastrophizing, fearing the worst is about to happen.
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), intrusive images or sensations following a one-off event (eg traffic accident, ex-military, witnessing something traumatic).
- CPTSD (the cumulative effects of PTSD over a traumatic childhood involving developmental/relational trauma).
- Trauma - eg, the effects of excessive or occupational/domestic stress, being a carer, having experienced one or more traumatic events which have not resulted in PTSD.
- Feeling suicidal, as life has lost its meaning. Having such thoughts and a plan of action.
- Self-harm - cutting, stabbing, scratching yourself as a way to manage your emotions
- Addictions - doing too much drinking or using other substances as a way of coping with life.
- Loss or bereavement, following the death of close friends, family or significant people in life.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
As an ethical practitioner, I attend regular supervision with a more senior practitioner and attend ongoing professional development activities in order to update my skills and increase my knowledge.
Training, qualifications & experience
- EMDR (levels 1-3) with EMDR Europe. 2024-25
- MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy, Middlesex University. 2023.
- Clinical Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy. Metanoia Institute 2023
- Fellowship of the Association for Music and Imagery from the Association for Music and Imagery. (2020)
- Masters in Music Therapy. Anglia Ruskin University (2002)
- Advanced Certificate in the Therapeutic Arts. Institute for Arts and Therapy in Education. (2016)
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Kingston University. (1992)
- B.A Hons in Music. Durham University. (1988)
Recent Training Courses Include:
- IFS (Internal Family Systems) Practitioner Training
- Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Training. 2024
- Internal Family Systems. Principles and Applications 2024
- Trauma Certification Training 2023
- Sensory Motor Psychotherapy Training. 2023
- Using Arts to Treat Trauma 2022.
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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer an initial 15 minute phone conversation prior to booking. Fees can be paid weekly or monthly.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Further information
The Therapy Studio is easy to find on google maps and free parking is available on the street. It is accessible also via public transport, a few minutes' walk from the bus stop and nearest train station. All details will be supplied prior to your first session.
