Katie Davis

Are you:

• Struggling in relationships where you just don't feel like you anymore? 
• Overwhelmed and bored by life at the same time? But not sure what you want?
• Constantly on edge trying to be a "good person" and "do the right thing", but feel like you're always getting things wrong anyway? 

I aim to help you find both peace and passion by:

• Building your self-worth so that you no longer feel the need to contort yourself to fit in with others 
• Developing your sense of identity so you can connect with your interests and values and explore what a meaningful life looks like for you 
• Identifying and working through your fears so that you can stop procrastinating and take action towards change 

I started my private practice because I know that many people who don't fit the status quo are struggling to find their place in the world. They're often feeling empty, lost, broken and suffering from issues like anxiety, depression loneliness and relationship difficulties. 

But it's possible to find your sense of belonging with the right support in place. 

I know what it's like to feel uncertain about who you are and feel torn between fitting in and striking out on your own. Having counselling myself helped me find the middle ground - the place where I can remain connected to myself and others at the same time. Now as a qualified counsellor, I help others navigate this dance. 

You were not born to fit into a box. I have supported clients to improve their lives by embracing their multi-dimensional selves and releasing themselves from who they think they "should" be. I would love to help you too. 

Grief

Grief and/or regret is a factor that often comes into the work above. It may be more explicit - like a bereavement, divorce/separation/breakup, redundancy, unemployment - or it may be quite subtle, ambiguous or anticipatory, for example:

• Grieving what you didn't get in the past
• Losses that other people don't understand/relate to
• The pain of the gap between where you want to be and where you are right now
• The losses involved in change, even positive change

I previously worked within the bereavement counselling service of a hospice. I am familar with grief models and existential theory which inform my practice. 

Areas of Special Interest

I am particularly interested in people's relationships with animals and supporting people with related issues. Example areas are: 

• The impact of pet bereavement / pet loss / equine bereavement
• Working in animal welfare and veterinary work
• Animals as neurodivergent special interests
• What we can learn from animals about life and relationships

In addition to psychological theory, I draw on my own experiences with horses / animals to support clients in these areas. 

My Style

I take time to be attentive to the detail of your experience. I don't rush to fill moments of silence with fluff: my responses are thoughtful and considered. I find that co-creating a therapeutic relationship where it is ok to have pauses, and where you are not expected to keep eye contact or respond immediately, facilitates deeper processing and helps us slow down amidst our hectic modern world. This can be particularly helpful for some neurodivergent clients. We might be a good fit if you have ever longed for a relationship where you needn’t feel pressured to ‘keep the conversation going’! We'll set things up so that it feels less awkward and more like creating room for you to breathe.

I am quite a philosophical and existentially-minded person, so I enjoy thinking deeply about things with my clients and exploring the big questions, as well as the everyday, if that is what you wish to bring to counselling.

People and life are complex. Labels can be useful, normalising and validating, but they aren't the full story. Phrases like "you need to trust yourself/the process" might be true but they can feel invalidating. I do my best to avoid oversimplifications and honours needs for specificity. 

First Steps

When you contact me about counselling I will usually suggest we book a free introductory call to briefly assess whether we are a good fit for working together. I will ask a few basic questions about what you are looking for support with and explain to you how I work. We will discuss what type of session you are looking for and arrange a mutually convenient time and place to meet for an initial session. Booking an introductory call or initial session comes with no obligation to book further support if you decide counselling with me is not right for you. 

Online Sessions

I can offer online video-call sessions via Google Meet (no software download required) so that you can access support from the comfort of your own space. 

Room-based Sessions

I offer in-person sessions at the Healing Therapy Centre in the Abbeyhill area of Edinburgh. The space has been lovingly and carefully created to feel comfortable and homely. 

Outdoor Sessions

Maybe you are an outdoorsy person or are curious about how outdoor sessions could help you?

During these sessions we can walk or sit, whatever you prefer, and as with indoor sessions we can talk about anything you wish to explore. Some people find it easier to talk outdoors for a variety of reasons, such as feeling more comfortable walking/sitting beside the counsellor rather than opposite. Movement and being amongst nature can help with opening up and processing experiences. Reflecting on the environment around you can deepen into reflecting on yourself in ways that perhaps might not come up within room-based counselling. Some people like to return to the outdoor space in between sessions for self-support, nurturing themselves by being held by nature. 

These sessions can be held at a selection of outdoor locations which have been assessed as suitable for walk-and-talk therapy. Hybrid options of outdoor/indoor/online sessions is also possible. 

£70 per 50 minute session