Kellie Bannister

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she/her
FdA, BSc (Hons), MBACP

About me

Do you look like you’re coping, while inside you feel overwhelmed, exhausted or like you’re constantly trying to keep up? Do you wonder why things seem to come more easily to other people, or feel different without quite knowing why?

You may be struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, burnout or relationships, or simply feel that everyday life takes far more effort than it seems to for everyone else. Perhaps you’ve spent years adapting to other people, hiding how much you’re struggling, or wondering whether ADHD or autism might help explain some of your experiences.

I offer a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly and be yourself without pressure or expectation.

I’m a qualified person-centred counsellor supporting adults with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, low self-esteem, stress and burnout, relationship difficulties and low mood.

I particularly enjoy working with people who are autistic or have ADHD, whether diagnosed, self-identified, curious, or simply wondering if neurodivergence might be part of their story. I also work with people navigating relationships with neurodivergent partners or family members.

Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, emotionally exhausted, misunderstood or disconnected from themselves. You don’t need a diagnosis, or even a clear idea of what’s “wrong”, to come to counselling.

How I work
As a person-centred counsellor, I believe therapy should feel collaborative, accepting and led by you.

I aim to create a space where you feel genuinely heard and understood. Together, we can explore whatever is going on for you at your own pace — whether that’s anxiety, overwhelm, self-criticism, masking, burnout, relationship difficulties, identity or simply feeling stuck.

I understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Some people need space to reflect and make sense of their experiences, while others benefit from a more practical and grounded approach. I adapt how I work to you rather than expecting you to fit into a particular way of doing therapy.

You may have spent years being told — explicitly or otherwise — that you’re too sensitive, too much, lazy, disorganised, difficult or somehow failing at life. Therapy with me isn’t about fixing you or turning you into someone different.

It’s about understanding yourself with more compassion, making sense of your experiences, reducing shame and overwhelm, and finding ways of living that feel more manageable and authentic.

What to expect from the introductory call
The initial call is an opportunity for us to talk and get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. Finding the right counsellor is important, and I understand that reaching out for support can feel daunting.

You can talk about what has brought you to counselling and what you hope to get from it, ask questions and share as much or as little as feels comfortable. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out, and no expectation that you’ll decide immediately whether you want to continue.

Training, qualifications & experience

I’m a fully qualified person-centred counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), adhering to their ethical framework.

I hold a BACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. I undertake regular continuing professional development and clinical supervision as part of my ongoing professional practice.

I started working with clients in 2018 and have worked solely in private practice since 2021.

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

Therapies offered

Fees

£65.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

I offer a free 20 minute initial consultation call over phone or zoom.

My standard rate is £65 per session. I have a limited number of concessionary slots available.

All fees to be paid beforehand by bank transfer.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Currently I'm only able to offer sessions online but I have availability throughout the week, including daytime and evening appointments. 

Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online platforms

Zoom
FaceTime
Whatsapp