Kathryn Murray

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Dip.Counselling MBACP, Certificate Supervision.
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Bangor LL57 & Colwyn Bay LL29
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Background
As a qualified and BACP registered counsellor and supervisor, I have had over 15 years experience in the mental health and voluntary sector, working at organisations such as Samaritans and Signpost for Carers as well as running my own well established counselling practice and therapy centre.

Along with running my counselling practice, I have worked with clients within the NHS providing counselling to clients of all ages with a variety of presenting issues.

I have worked as an affiliate counsellor for both Ysbyty Gwynedd and Bangor University and continue to provide support to staff members and students. 

My Counselling Approach And Philosophy
I find my work very rewarding and feel passionate about helping others. You are welcomed into a safe, none judgemental, nurturing and confidential space where we can explore how you are feeling at a pace that is right for you.

I offer an integrative approach to counselling and very much tailor the service to your needs. I believe that everyone is beautifully unique and through the right counselling relationship and approach, counselling can help you make positive and lasting change in your life. It can also help you understand yourself and the world around you better.

I facilitate face to face therapy as well as telephone therapy, and therapy through the employee assistance programme for a variety of issues and topics.

Through encompassing many techniques and theories into my approach to my work with you, I use my personality, nurture and gentle challenge to achieve what you would like to gain from counselling. I work with many issues such as fear, anxiety, isolation, depression, relationship and family difficulties, work related issues, childhood issues, bereavement and loss, anger, eating disorders, pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage, carer support, sexual abuse, domestic violence and abuse, bullying, debt and financial worry and many more.

Location

I offer nation wide telephone counselling. I also offer walk and talk therapy in the summer months.

Bangor - The Papillon Counselling Centre is in Bangor, within walking distance of the train station, bus stop and Bangor University.  It is also easily accessible via bus, train or car from Anglesey and areas of Gwynedd.

Concessions
I offer a limited number of concessionary slots.

Training, qualifications & experience

My Qualifications

  • ABC Level 2 Counselling Concepts
  • ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
  • ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • BACP Certificate of Proficiency
  • Certificate in Supervision - June 2022 

Further Training
I see the value of continued professional development and so regularly attend on going training. I have attended the following training, supervision specific sessions and workshops:

  • Domestic Abuse Course (The Freedom Programme).
  • Samaritans Training.
  • Working With and supporting Carers.
  • Breaking the Silence: Working With Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
  • Treating Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks.
  • Growing Your Practice.
  • E.F.T (Emotional Freedom Technique).
  • Suicide.
  • Working with Children and Young People.
  • Bereavement therapy.
  • Substance misuse.
  • Depression.
  • Social anxiety.
  • Couples/relationship counselling.
  • O.C.D.
  • Managing panic attacks.
  • Work related stress.
  • Group therapy.
  • Mindfulness.
  • Increasing self worth and esteem.
  • Working remotely.
  • Eating disorders.
  • Seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D).
  • Anxiety: Where it comes from and how to work with it.

In June 2022 I graduated from the Manchester institute for Psychotherapy with a Certificate in Supervision. This allows me to provide supervision to both trainee and qualified counsellors using an integrative model. Supervision is a vital part of client work and essential for ethical and best practice under the BACP. 

My Experience
In addition to running private practice I have worked for organisations and within the NHS at GP's surgeries. I have previously worked as a volunteer counsellor at SignPost for Carers, providing counselling for adult carers and spent several years volunteering for the Samaritans prior to this. I have extensive experience of counselling aspects such as anxiety and depression, domestic abuse, bullying, attachment issues, eating and weight related topics, addictions as well as work related stress.

I have had experience of counselling students and Lecturers and the issues they face. I offer face to face and telephone counselling to students and lecturers nation wide. Student discounts are available.

Also I have had many years experience in treating work related stress and take referrals through the employee assistance programme. I am affiliated with Medra and take EAP referrals from local authorities. 

I am affiliated with the D.P.J foundation, this is a welsh mental health charity that supports those in agriculture and rural communities with mental health problems. Sessions are funded and unlimited. Please enquire for more details.

In 2019 I founded the Papillon Counselling Centre in Bangor. This is a tranquil space ideal for talking therapies. Papillon is French for butterfly and was chosen as it represents positive change and transformation.

In 2024 the Papillon Counselling Centre was proud to win #1 counselling service in Gwynedd, this was awarded by quality business awards.

Member organisations

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

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

I have an interest in attachment and how we attach to others. I use an integrative approach including aspects of Transnational Analysis and Attachment Theory to help clients understand themselves and how they relate and attach to others. This can include aspects and behaviours such as hoarding and relational issues as well as codependency. I aim to help clients explore these issues so they are able to live autonomous lives free from these constraints.

I can provide therapeutic tools and techniques including forms of relaxation and mindfulness to help manage anxiety and use talking therapy as means to explore possible roots of anxiety.

My aim with many clients is to help provide support for survivors of abuse and those also currently in abusive relationships. I aspire to empower my clients as much as possible in these difficult situations and provide an empathic, none judgemental space in order to increase awareness around their own process and improve self worth as well as being able to recognise the signs of abuse to reduce future exposure to toxic relationships.

The Therapy Centre

The therapy centre has two counselling rooms, both ideal for one to one sessions, couples therapy, group therapy and blended approaches including online and telephone sessions with work stations provided in each room. There is also an inviting waiting area and staff room/kitchen facilities.

I welcome therapists and organisations looking for a therapy space so please get in touch for further details and availability. 

In house supervision available to both students and qualified counsellors. Concessionary rates to trainees (please enquire for fees and availability). 

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Refugees

Additional information

*FREE initial telephone consultation.

  • Individual Therapy £50
  • Limited number of concessionary slots available (please enquire). 

When I work

Daytime and evening appointments available.

Please note during busy periods there may be a waiting list in place. 

Further information

Contact Information
Please feel free to call, If I am unable to take your call, please leave a message with your name and contact number and I will get back to you at the earliest opportunity. Please advise whether I am able to leave you a message or send a text. Alternatively you can text or email.

* I do not provide an emergency service and may take up to 48 hours to return your enquiry. In case of an emergency please contact your G.P or out of hours 999/A&E.

All calls and inquiries are treated with confidentiality.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Testimonials

"As someone who had never been to counselling and struggles with opening up to others, Kathryn did a magnificent job of creating a safe and comfortable environment for my true self to shine through. 

Since beginning my counselling journey, I am now kinder to myself whilst being more considerate and compassionate towards others. Kathryn has given me the tools to challenge negative beliefs and grow into a person who I am proud of being. 


Kathryn’s guidance also inadvertently helped me develop as a healthcare professional; our sessions helped me become more critically reflective and empathetic.  

She has sparked an interest in mental health and counselling, inspiring me to be a mental health advocate and even consider a career in counselling."

"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kathryn for many years and her compassion and counselling expertise have given me the tools to overcome many difficult times in my life. I experienced a lot of big life changes in a short space of time but, since being in therapy, Kathryn has supported me in setting my own personal boundaries and to find peace with my sense of self - amongst many other things. Our sessions have helped me grow beyond my difficulties with depression, anxiety and low self-esteem into a stronger and more resilient person. I will forever be grateful for all the guidance and support and can absolutely recommend her service".

Type of session

In person
Phone

Types of client

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

Key details

The counselling centre is on the first floor and so not accessible, however I am able offer telephone sessions as an alternative.

Additional languages

Welsh/Cymraeg

Kathryn Murray
Kathryn Murray