Grace Pattenden

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her/hers/she
BA (Hons), Dip. Counselling Young People, MBACP, MNCPS

About me

Hi, I’m Grace, a psychotherapeutic counsellor based in Berkshire. I work with adults and young people aged 13+, offering a calm, welcoming and safe space where you can talk openly, feel heard, and be met with warmth, care and understanding.

Over the past nine years, I have supported people in schools, crisis services, online platforms and GP surgeries. This has taught me that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I will take time to get to know you as an individual, understand what has brought you to counselling, and work with you in a way that feels supportive, respectful and genuinely useful. 


My approach 
My approach is warm, open and deeply empathetic. I believe the relationship between us is at the heart of meaningful therapy. When you feel safe, accepted and not judged, it can become easier to explore the things that feel difficult, confusing or painful. 

I draw on person-centred and Gestalt therapy. In simple terms, this means I offer a compassionate space to talk, while also bringing in creative or practical ways of exploring what is happening for you when that feels helpful. We might notice patterns, make space for emotions, explore bodily sensations, or use simple tools to help you understand yourself more clearly. I will always work at your pace, and if I suggest something new, I will explain it clearly and stay alongside you as we try it together.

I take a holistic view of therapy because I believe our emotional, physical and psychological experiences are closely connected. From my own experience of chronic health issues, and from listening to clients over the years, I understand how much the body and mind can affect one another. If anxiety, trauma, stress, pain or exhaustion show up in your body as well as your thoughts and emotions, we can explore this gently together.

What I can help with 
I often work with people experiencing anxiety, trauma, shame, burnout, loss, neurodivergence, identity questions and life transitions. This might include exploring how you feel about yourself, your gender, your sexuality, your relationships, a new diagnosis, your health, or the parts of you that have had to adapt in order to cope.

I am neurodivergent-affirming in my practice, not just on paper. I am late-diagnosed Autistic myself, and I know how powerful it can be to understand yourself with more kindness. I also have personal experience of living with a chronic health condition and ongoing pain, so you will not need to explain the impact of chronic pain, endometriosis or health-related exhaustion from scratch. 


What sessions with me look like 
Sessions with me are collaborative and led by what feels most useful for you. Sometimes we might talk things through slowly and make sense of what has happened. Sometimes we might focus on what is happening in the present, including your feelings, thoughts, bodily sensations or patterns that keep repeating. At other times, we may use practical tools, psychoeducation (learning) or creative approaches to help you feel more grounded and resourced.

Growth and healing can happen in small steps or big ones, and often at a pace that changes over time. My role is to sit alongside you, support you, and help you build insight, self-awareness and resilience in a way that feels safe enough to be meaningful. 


Working together 
If you are looking for longer-term therapy around trauma, stress, shame, identity, neurodivergence, chronic health or the patterns that keep showing up in your life, I may be a good fit for you. I also offer shorter or more focused work if you would like support with nervous system regulation, coping tools, mind-body awareness or a specific area you want to understand better.

If something here resonates with you, you’re welcome to book a free 20-minute introductory call so we can gently explore what support might feel right. Taking the first step into counselling can feel big, but you don’t have to do it alone. You can book an introductory call through my listing or email me at hello@growwithgraciecounselling.com 


I look forward to hearing from you. 

Training, qualifications & experience

Core Training:

  • First Class BA (Hons) Humanistic Counselling Practice awarded by University of Nottingham.
  • Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People awarded by CPCAB.

Additional Training / CPD:

  • Neurodivergence in the Counselling Room
  • Trauma-Informed Counselling
  • Online Counselling
  • Whole-Human Therapy

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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.

NCPS
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
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.

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Areas of professional interest:

  • Neurodivergence
  • Burnout
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Women's health
  • Life transitions
  • Identity
  • Trauma

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

Languages Spoken: English

Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: I am dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, and I recognise how these values can shape the counselling process. My approach is open and affirming, with an understanding of how my own background may affect our counselling relationship. I always welcome conversations with my clients about their needs, ensuring the space feels both inclusive, respectful and effective. All identities, backgrounds, and experiences are welcome.

31 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7SB

The Old Grain Store, Waltham Road, Twyford, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9EE

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Accessibility Information: I work usually from a ground floor room. I use captions if needed when working online.

Online platforms

Google Meet
Microsoft Teams

Social

Grace Pattenden
Grace Pattenden