Katarzyna Siemek

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MA (Hons), MBACP, MNCPS Acc.
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH6

About me

Hi, I'm Kat - it's nice to meet you! I am an integrative psychotherapist with an academic background in psychology and a particular interest in trauma, immigration, identity and the experience of living between cultures.

I hold an MSc in Psychology and Trauma from UCL and an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh. I completed professional training in psychotherapeutic counselling and I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), currently working towards accreditation. 

My work is grounded in evidence-based psychological practice, while also creating space for a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can feel heard and understood. 

I work at your pace and I see therapy as a collaborative process. You're in the driving seat, while I'm there alongside you to help you navigate the process. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy - I adapt the work for you, drawing on evidence-based approaches depending on what feels most useful for your goals. 

I work integratively, drawing mainly on CBT, person-centred therapy and ACT. Some people prefer a reflective space to make sense of their experiences, while others choose more structured approaches and exercises. We can work out together what suits you best. 

Trauma is one of my main areas of expertise and it was the focus of my postgraduate studies. Difficult experiences can leave lasting patterns in the way we respond to stress, relate to others and see ourselves, but these patterns are not fixed. With the right support, it is possible to develop greater awareness, flexibility and new ways of respoding. I aim to work in a trauma-informed way that feels collaborative, respectful and paced around what feels manageable for you.

Another area particularly close to me is immigration and expat life. As an immigrant myself, I understand some of the complexity that comes with adapting to a new country, culture and way of life. Relocation can bring excitement and opportunity, but also homesickness, shifts in identity, relationship changes and questions around where "home" is. I am passionate about supporting people through these experiences, exploring themes of identity and cultural differences.

I am also curious about the wider factors that support mental health and resilience, including mindfulness, physical activity, time in nature, creativity and meaningful routines. I am particularly drawn to the research exploring how these experiences can support emotional wellbeing and stress regulation. I bring this perspective into therapy when it feels relevant and useful. 

I currently offer online therapy, walk-and-talk therapy and some in-person therapy. I also offer a free 20-minute introductory call, which gives you a chance to tell me about what brings you to counselling, ask any questions you may have, and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you.

You do not need to come to therapy knowing exactly what you want to say or what you would like to change. Sometimes the first step is simply having a space to begin making sense of what has been happening.

If you feel that my approach might be a good fit for you, I would be glad to support you in working towards the changes that matter to you. 

Training, qualifications & experience

I am a fully qualified integrative psychoterapist with an academic background in Psychology:

  • MSc in Psychology and Trauma, UCL 
  • Honours Degree in Psychology, University of Edinburgh
  • Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice
  • COSCA Certificate of Counselling Skills
  • 12 months of volunteering experience at PF Counselling
  • 16-months counselling placement at Feniks: Counselling, Personal Development and Support Services.

Additional Training:

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - 8-week course
  • Trauma-informed practice

I have a particular interest in mindfulness and use mindfulnes-based techniques in sessions where they feel relevant and appropriate for the client. I am continuing to develop my training in this area.

I regularly undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and further training to keep my practice current, evidence-based and informed by developments in psychology.

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

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£60.00 per session

Additional information

Sessions last 50 minutes.

When I work

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

Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH6

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

PVG Scheme

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Additional languages

Polish
Katarzyna Siemek
Katarzyna Siemek