About me
Welcome, I’m Kathy Shaw, an integrative, trauma-informed therapist working with adults and young people who are thoughtful, capable, and emotionally aware — yet find themselves struggling with self-doubt, inner criticism, anxiety, overwhelm, or a sense of being stuck in life.
Many people come to therapy because life feels heavy, confusing, or relentless — and that experience deserves understanding and compassionate support. You might be coping well on the outside while feeling uncertain or unsafe inside — unsure of how to move forward or how to make sense of your internal experience.
My approach focuses on understanding your inner world with warmth and clarity rather than trying to immediately “fix” or change you. Together, we explore emotions, beliefs, protective habits, and patterns that once helped you cope but now feel limiting.
Clients often tell me they feel deeply heard and genuinely understood, and begin to notice internal shifts that ripple into everyday life — not just insight, but real movement towards self-trust, clarity, and a greater sense of safety. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, transitions, or unresolved patterns, I offer a supportive, non-judgmental space where you can be seen and make sense of your experience.
I offer counselling in Northwich and online, and work collaboratively with you to pace the process in a way that feels right. If you’re curious about how counselling could help you, you don’t need all the answers — you just need a willingness to explore what’s going on for you right now.
Why Counselling?
Counselling provides the space and time to look at your life and to talk about your life in a way you may never have done before. It is a confidential and non-judgmental space to explore and navigate your feelings. A place to help you discover new coping strategies that allow you to adapt in difficult and uncertain times. It is a place to manage your well-being, connect with yourself again, reflect on your life and develop your resilience.
Who do you work with?
I work with men, women, and teenagers of all backgrounds and sexualities.
How long is a session?
Sessions last around 55minutes for individuals.
How long will Counselling last?
There is not a typical time for someone to be in counselling – this will depend on what you bring, what you would like to work on and in what depth. It may take some courage to face difficult issues that you may not have ever talked about before. We will decide between us how long we think your sessions will last.
Why go privately?
NHS counselling through Doctors' surgeries is often time-limited and you may have to wait a long time to see someone. Usually, counselling is not offered every week and you are unlikely to have much choice about who you see, when you see them, or the approach they offer.
What is your experience of working with teenagers?
Before setting up my private practice I worked with teenagers in the following roles: Teaching Assistant, Health and Social Care/Childcare Lecturer, Pastoral Coach, and High School Counsellor.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications & Professional Experience
I am a fully qualified and experienced integrative therapist and clinical supervisor, with a strong background in education and counselling.
Qualifications include:
Clinical Supervision – Level 7 Certificate
First Class BSc (Hons) in Person-Centred Counselling
Level 5 Certificate in Education
I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP).
I have over 15 years of hands-on experience in helping roles and have completed over 3,000 clinical hours, working with adults, children, and young people.
Specialist Areas of Work
Anxiety, Trauma & Emotional Wellbeing
I support clients who experience anxiety, overwhelm, emotional distress, or the long-term impact of trauma. This often includes working with inner criticism, shame, and patterns that affect self-confidence and emotional safety.
Anxiety management
Trauma and the role of shame
Inner child healing
Mindfulness-based approaches
Relationships, Attachment & Abuse Recovery
I work with individuals who are navigating difficult or harmful relationship experiences, including attachment wounds and emotional abuse. Therapy offers a space to understand patterns, rebuild boundaries, and restore trust in yourself.
Attachment theory
Coercive control
Narcissistic abuse recovery
Emotional regulation and healthy boundaries
Children, Young People & Parenting
I have extensive experience working with adolescents and parents, particularly when emotional well-being is affecting learning, behaviour, or family relationships.
Counselling for children and adolescents
Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Mental health support for young people
Positive parenting support
Therapeutic Approach & Ongoing Training
My work is trauma-informed, relational, and integrative, meaning I draw from different therapeutic models depending on your needs, while prioritising emotional safety and the therapeutic relationship.
I regularly undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD), including training in:
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Transactional Analysis (TA)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
This ongoing learning supports thoughtful, ethical, and responsive practice.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Adult Daytime sessions: £70.00
Adult Evening sessions: £80.00
Teenage Daytime/Evening Sessions £55.00
When I work
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Further information
Please contact me for availability
