Kate Dorward
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
Hi, I’m Kate – Helping You Make Sense of Your Relationships
I specialise in supporting people with their relationships—whether that's with partners, family, friends, or even with themselves. Life stressors can take a toll on our emotional well-being, often showing up as anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck in our relationships. When our relationships feel out of sync, everything else can feel harder to manage.
When we think of the word “relationship,” we often picture our personal or romantic connections—but we also have relationships with things like food, alcohol, work, our health, and most importantly, with ourselves. In fact, our relationship with ourselves is the foundation for how we relate to everyone and everything else.
We're wired for connection—it's a human need. But sometimes, those connections become challenging, complicated, or even painful. We may then seek comfort in other “things” that don’t always serve us well. My aim is to help you explore and improve your relationships, whether that’s with others, with “things,” or with yourself.
"Improving your relationship with yourself will automatically improve your other relationships."
How I Work
Together, we’ll explore the patterns and dynamics in your life and relationships, particularly how stress and past experiences may be shaping them. I have a special interest in trans-generational processes—those subtle, often unspoken patterns passed down through families that can quietly impact how we relate to others and ourselves.
Whether you're facing communication breakdowns, emotional disconnection, family tension, or simply want to understand yourself better, I’ll walk alongside you with warmth, curiosity, and compassion.
About Me
I’m a qualified Systemic & Family Psychotherapist working both privately and in the NHS. I offer sessions every Friday—either online or in-person from my practice. I also offer online sessions on weekday evenings.
Before training in family therapy, I worked as a counsellor for over 18 years, supporting clients through charities across Northamptonshire and managing services including those at Mind. I’m also a clinical supervisor, supporting other therapists in their work.
I’ve always been deeply curious about people—what shapes us, how we communicate, and what gets in the way of connection. That curiosity still fuels me today, and you’ll often find me deep in a book or podcast about relationships and human behaviour.
If you're curious about working with me, I offer a free 30-minute introductory call so we can see if we're a good fit. Feel free to email me directly or click the “Book Introductory Call” button at the top of the page.
Training, qualifications & experience
- MSc in Systemic Family Therapy
- PG Certificate Working Systemically with children, young people, and their Families
- Level 6 Working Systemically in a Professional Context
- Level 4 Certificate in Counselling Supervision
- Certificate in Counselling Skills and Theory
- Advanced Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory
- Circle of Security Parenting
- TRET (Trauma Resolution Energy Therapy) Level One and Level Two
- NVQ Level 3 in Mentoring
- TA 101
- Child Protection
- Safe Guarding of Vulnerable Adults
- Solution Focussed Therapy
- Working with Self-harm
- Attachment Narrative in Families - Rudi Dallos
- Mindfulness for Professionals - British Mindfulness Institute
- Trans Awareness - Gendered Intelligence
- Third Wave CBT which includes; ACT, Compassion Focussed Therapy, DBT, Mindfulness and CBT
- Trauma Focussed CBT for Children and Young People - Anna Freud Centre
- Working at Relational Depth - Mick Cooper
- Mentalisation Based Therapy - Anna Freud Centre
- Working with Sexualised Trauma - Zoe Lodrick
- FT-AN - Maudsley approach to working with Anorexia Nervosa
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.
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
£80.00 - £100.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Please be aware that I can only offer face to face appointments on Fridays.
I offer a free telephone or video consultation (30 minutes). This will allow us to meet where you can ask any questions you may have, get a sense of who I am, and see if you would feel comfortable working with me. It is also an opportunity for me to understand your current situation and needs, ensuring I have the correct skill set to support you.
Fees
Reduced fee for student counsellors, children under 18, and over 65 (£65)
Individuals: £80
Couples/Families: £100
When I work
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I offer online appointments on Monday and Tuesday evenings and face-to-face and online appointments on Thursdays and Fridays.
Further information
My office is located in Harben House which is a conference facility located on the edge of Newport Pagnell. The site is centrally located between Northampton, Bedford, Milton Keynes, and the surrounding areas. It is easy to reach either via the M1, 2 miles from Junction 14, or from A509.
The site has ample on site parking for which there is a local charge. The carpark is monitored by CCTV.
Harben House has accessible lifts to all floors so there are no issues with dealing with any restrictions to access requirements.
There is a 24 hour manned reception desk for your assistance.
Postcode for sat nav – MK16-9EY.
