Em Mckenzie
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome. I’m Em (She/Her) a qualified integrative counsellor and registered BACP and Creative Counsellors member, providing short and long term individual and relationship therapy in York.
I work to help people discover and accept who they are, what they want, to find their voice and make the changes they need to live a more fulfilling life. I provide inclusive, diversity-aware counselling, working respectfully and collaboratively across cultures and differences.
Sometimes we can find ourselves feeling lost, confused, stuck, disconnected, exhausted and/or overwhelmed. It may be that we have been through a loss, received a diagnosis, are trying to understand your gender, going through a life transition, or we aren’t sure why we feel the way we do, but we no longer understand ourselves. Relationships with ourselves and others can be complex, I am here to fully listen and am interested in you and your story and helping you make sense of how you feel to make life better for you, and give you more control of your life.
I’ll help you to explore, connect and process your feelings so you can make the right decision for you. I offer a space free from judgement, and encourage you to not hold back any part of yourself, you can share whatever you need to, and you will never be a burden. It is the ultimate self care for both you and those around you.
I can help you:
- Discover your needs and learn how to communicate them effectively.
- Turn your inner critic into an inner cheerleader.
- Be able to say no to unwanted requests.
- Feel more confident and comfortable to be who you want to be and reduce worry of what others think.
- Understand yourself better.
- Put in boundaries to create a better life balance.
- Improve your self esteem and confidence.
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improve relationships.
- Let go of ‘shoulds’.
Relationship Therapy – Finding Connection, Healing, and Hope
I also offer in-person relationship therapy and am certified in counselling for couples/relationships. My credentials include a Certificate in Couple/Relationship Therapy awarded by The Grove, and training with The Foundation for Infant Loss, deepening my understanding as a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Practitioner, including as a Rainbow Baby and Infertility Specialist.
If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or struggling in your relationship, you’re not alone. Whether you’re facing conflict, communication breakdowns, grief, or emotional distance, therapy offers a safe, supportive space to explore difficulties and discover new ways to reconnect.
Relationships can be both deeply fulfilling and incredibly challenging. When difficulties arise, it’s easy to blame the other person or feel hopeless about change. But every relationship is shaped by both/all partners, and understanding these dynamics can open the door to healing, growth, and greater intimacy. Therapy can help you develop self-awareness, improve communication, and strengthen your bond—leading to a more secure and loving connection.
I warmly welcome individuals and partners from all relationship backgrounds—whether you’re married, in a civil partnership, cohabiting, separated, or in a polyamorous relationship. I work with same-sex and opposite-sex couples, as well as diverse relationship structures, and I honour all identities, cultures, and orientations, including LGBTQIA+ clients seeking affirming, inclusive support.
If you’re longing for more harmony, trust, and closeness in your relationship, therapy can be the first step toward real change. Get in touch to learn more—And how I can support you on this journey.
At this time, I can accommodate up to three people in a session due to space limitations in my practice.
Training, qualifications & experience
I offer
- Face to Face
- Creative counselling (face to face)
- Relationship Counselling
- Online counselling
- Walk and Talk
I believe in a non-judgemental and non-directive approach. I don’t give advice, instead I listen and provide the therapeutic space and time that empowers you to discover your own answers. I take an integrative approach, drawing on various methods to suit each unique individual. My goal is to help clients connect with their inner resources and move forward with confidence in their chosen direction. I support clients to understand themselves better, to live more fulfilling lives, and build strength and resilience within themselves. I have worked with a wide range of clients, with experience working as a recovery counsellor for York Drug and Alcohol Service along with York Women's Counselling Service, York Carers and Menfulness.
It is my belief that we are all unique and diverse; I work with people of all genders, sexualities, faiths, cultures and backgrounds and encourage clients to bring all parts of their identities. As such, each individual requires unique and diverse support, and I therefore draw upon a range of tools from other approaches such as creative therapy, psycho-social skills training, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eco therapy, depending on what feels right for you.
I find creativity can allows us to work at a more subconscious level, tapping into thoughts and emotions that you are not fully aware of but that influence your behaviours and feelings. The way I work is to integrate creative activities within my talking therapy when I feel they might be helpful as part of sessions, such as using drawing, cards or figurines - only if this is an area you feel might be helpful as part of our sessions.
Ongoing training
I am a fully qualified counsellor and registered member of BACP (British Association for counselling and psychotherapy) and Creative Counsellors. I have also undertaken training with The Foundation for Infant Loss, deepening my understanding as a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Practitioner, including as a Rainbow Baby and Infertility Specialist. I am also certified in counselling for couples/relationships. My credentials include a Certificate in Couple/Relationship Therapy awarded by The Grove.
In addition I continue to complete training and develop the range of knowledge and interventions I can draw upon. These include:
- Infertility and Infant Loss
- Working therapeutically with people with eating-based difficulties
- Walk and Talk Ecotherapy
- Domestic abuse
- Trauma
- Creative Counselling Interventions
- The Fear System
- Management of Alcohol problems
- Loss and Bereavement
- Adult safeguarding
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 - £90.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
Individual Counselling: £60 per 50 minute session.
Walk and Talk Counselling: £60 per 60 minute session
Relationship Counselling: £90 per 60 minute session
Once you get in touch you will be invited to a free 15 minute initial phone consultation - this gives us the opportunity to go through any questions you might have, explore your needs and how I might be able to support you in your journey.
If we decide to go ahead we can then arrange a 50 minute initial assessment session charged at full fee. This session is to understand what is bringing you to counselling and what you're hoping to get out of it in more detail, and how we can work together to best support you. Should we both feel there is a good fit then we can then book in subsequent sessions.
Please be assured that taking part in an initial phone consultation or assessment session does not mean that you are committed to work with me.
Session fees are due 48 hours in advance of a session via Bank transfer, however in specific circumstances, such as when a third party (e.g., an organisation or employer) is responsible for payment, I can arrange for payment by invoice. Please let me know in advance if this is required to facilitate the appropriate arrangements.
If you have questions or special billing requirements, please don't hesitate to reach out.
When I work
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Further information
Practice Hours
My practice runs on a Tuesday and Thursday, with evening appointments offered, depending on availability. I offer Walk and Talk outside these days those don't offer any appointments on a weekend.
Session Information
I have a personal understanding of how difficult and daunting it can be to reach out, it can be daunting and takes courage, I also know how important it is to find a counsellor that you feel comfortable and confident with. I therefore welcome you to get in touch and offer a free initial consultation where you can ask any questions you may have, discuss how I may support you so you can decide if working together feels right for you.
Accessibility
My practice is within the Blue Frog Therapy Centre. If you have concerns about getting to the room due to accessibility, or being in the room (e.g. sensory preferences and sensitivities, concerns around what the space is like), please do talk with me. If you have mobility needs or struggle with stairs, please note that my office is based on the third floor of the Centre, which is a historical building with no lift access and the flights of stairs are short but quite steep. I do offer online therapy via video call if this is something that would be accessible for you.
Walk and Talk
Walk and talk counselling is great to utilise the proven psychological and physical benefits of nature. You may find an indoor environment too challenging and feel more comfortable in the outdoor space, or it may be that you want to reconnect with nature as part of the work we do together.
Each walk will last about an hour at a pace chosen by you, though sessions can be longer if preferred. I use a variety of routes in the York area which we can discuss and decide together which might be the best fit for your preferences.
We will talk about safety, what you might need to bring for the session and what we might do if we meet others, though walks are generally in quiet areas with few people around.
Weather can be unpredictable, and we will discuss your preferences with regards to weather conditions beforehand. Contingency of an online session is an option if the weather is bad although I do encourage clients to walk and embrace all weathers.
