Katie Madden

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

she/her
Belfast, County Antrim, BT14

About me

Hi, I’m Katie, an Integrative Therapist and Art Therapist, offering a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and accepted for who you are.

My approach is integrative, meaning I draw from a range of therapeutic models including person-centred, psychodynamic and CBT approaches, alongside attachment theory and trauma-informed practice. I believe that every person is unique, and therefore therapy should be tailored around you, your experiences and what feels right for you.

As an Art Therapist, I also offer the opportunity to explore feelings and experiences creatively. Art therapy can provide another way to communicate and process things that may sometimes feel difficult to put into words. Sessions can involve talking, drawing, painting, creative journalling, clay and other sensory or creative materials, depending on what feels comfortable for you.

My work is grounded in a trauma-informed approach, recognising the importance of safety, trust, choice and working at your own pace.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is at the heart of meaningful therapy. You don't need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy, and you don't need to know exactly what you want to talk about. Together, we can explore what is happening for you, develop a greater understanding of yourself and work towards creating positive and meaningful change.

Whether you prefer to talk, create, or use a combination of both, there is no right or wrong way to do therapy. My aim is to meet you where you are and provide a safe space for you to explore, understand and grow.

Working with Additional Needs & Neurodiversity

I have a supported many children, young people and adults with additional needs and neurodivergent experiences. As someone who is autistic myself, I understand from both personal and professional perspectives that everyone experiences the world differently, and that traditional approaches to therapy do not always work for everyone.

I aim to create a calm, accepting and flexible therapeutic environment where you can be yourself without judgement or pressure to mask. I recognise that communication, sensory needs, emotional regulation and the way we process experiences can look different for every individual. My approach is neurodiversity affirming, focusing on understanding and supporting the individual rather than trying to change who they are. Sessions can be adapted around your communication style, sensory needs, interests and comfort levels. 

Training, qualifications & experience

I am passionate about mental health and a strong advocate for increasing awareness, understanding and access to appropriate therapeutic support.

My professional experience has been developed across a variety of settings, including charitable organisations, schools and private practice, allowing me to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and life experiences. These experiences have helped me develop a flexible and person-centred approach, recognising that no two people will experience or respond to difficulties in the same way.

My academic and professional training includes a Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling and a Master’s Degree in Art Psychotherapy. My training has provided me with knowledge and experience across a range of therapeutic approaches, including person-centred, psychodynamic and CBT-informed practice, alongside attachment-based and trauma-informed approaches.

Through my work across different organisations and settings, I have supported individuals experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties. 

I continue to develop my knowledge and skills through ongoing learning and professional development, with the aim of providing thoughtful, ethical and effective therapeutic support tailored to each individual.

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 work with a wide range of emotional, psychological and life-related difficulties, tailoring my approach to each individual and their unique needs.

If you are unsure whether I can support you with what you are experiencing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You are welcome to message me to discuss your needs and ask any questions before arranging an appointment. We can explore whether my approach and experience are suited to what you are looking for.

Fees

£50.00 - £70.00

Additional information

  • £50 for counselling session
  • £65 art therapy session

Further information

Frequently Asked Questions

Can therapy help me?

Therapy can offer a safe and supportive space to explore what you are experiencing, develop a deeper understanding of yourself and work towards meaningful change. 

Therapy can support you with a wide range of experiences, including anxiety, low mood, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, trauma, emotional regulation and challenging life experiences.

Depending on your needs, therapy may help you to:

  • Develop a better understanding of yourself, your emotions and your experiences.
  • Explore patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
  • Develop healthier coping and emotional regulation strategies.
  • Build confidence and self-esteem.
  • Improve communication and relationships with yourself and others.
  • Process difficult or traumatic experiences at your own pace.
  • Develop greater self-awareness and understanding.
  • Explore your strengths, values and personal goals.
  • Find new ways of expressing feelings that may be difficult to put into words.

Therapy is a collaborative process. The benefits you gain will depend on your individual circumstances and how you engage with the therapeutic process. There is no expectation that you have to change everything at once we work together at a pace that feels manageable for you.

What is therapy like?

There is no single way that therapy should look. As an integrative therapist and art therapist, I adapt my approach to the individual rather than expecting everyone to fit the same model.

Sessions may involve talking about current or past experiences, exploring thoughts and emotions, or using creative approaches such as drawing, painting, creative journalling or clay. You do not need to consider yourself "artistic" to benefit from art therapy  the focus is on the process and what the creative work means to you, rather than creating something perfect.

Therapy can be short-term, focused on a particular concern, or longer-term where there are more complex or longstanding experiences to explore. We can regularly review how things are going and discuss whether the approach continues to meet your needs.

Is therapy confidential?

Confidentiality is an important part of creating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship. What you share within sessions is treated with respect and kept confidential within the appropriate professional and legal boundaries.

There are some limits to confidentiality, particularly where there may be concerns about serious risk of harm or safeguarding. These boundaries will be discussed with you clearly at the beginning of therapy, so you understand what confidentiality means and what you can expect from me.

What can I expect after contacting me?

If you decide to get in touch, we can arrange an initial session. This gives us an opportunity to meet, discuss what has brought you to therapy and explore what you may hope to get from the process.

It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable working with me. Finding the right therapist is important, and the first session is as much about you getting to know me and my approach as it is about me getting to know you.

From there, we can work together to decide what feels appropriate for you. This may include talking therapy, art therapy, or a combination of approaches

There is no pressure to have all the answers from the beginning. We can take it one step at a time, at your pace.

Belfast, County Antrim, BT14

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

AccessNI check

AccessNI carries out criminal records checks for individuals working in certain roles in Northern Ireland. Find out more at justice-ni.gov.uk , or contact this professional directly.

Online platforms

Google Meet
Zoom
Microsoft Teams
Katie Madden
Katie Madden