About me
About Me
My name is Zandra Austin, and I believe that caring for mental health is essential to living a fuller, more balanced life. This belief is what led me to train as a Psychotherapist.
I am trained in Brief Psychodynamic Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and have experience working with a wide range of clients and mental health difficulties. I have worked across several settings, including NHS Wellbeing Services and charitable organisations offering low-cost counselling, delivering both online and in-person therapy.
How Counselling Can Help
People come to counselling for many different reasons. I work with clients experiencing a range of issues including, anxiety, depression, OCD, social phobia, PTSD, trauma, panic disorder, as well as those navigating life stress, change, or personal challenges.
Counselling can help you make sense of what is happening for you, recognise unhelpful patterns, and develop coping strategies that feel realistic and supportive. I offer a safe, non-judgemental space where you can explore difficulties at your own pace and focus on what matters most to you.
How I Work
I offer online counselling, providing a flexible and accessible way to engage in therapy from the comfort of your own space. Sessions take place via secure platforms, ensuring confidentiality and consistency.
My approach is collaborative and tailored to you, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Psychodynamic Counselling. Together, we will consider which approach feels most helpful, adapting our work as your needs and goals evolve.
Whether our focus is on understanding how past experiences influence the present, developing practical tools to manage current difficulties, or cultivating greater self-compassion, we will work at a pace that feels right for you.
What to Expect in Your First Session
The first session is an opportunity to begin building a therapeutic relationship. We will talk about what has brought you to counselling, what you would like to gain from therapy, and how we might work together.
There is no expectation to share more than you feel comfortable with. The session is guided by your needs, helping you decide whether counselling - and working with me - feels like the right fit.
Benefits of Counselling
Counselling offers space to pause, reflect, and gain clarity. While each person’s experience is unique, clients often find that counselling helps them to:
- Develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their emotions
- Find healthier ways of coping with stress, anxiety, and difficult thoughts
- Feel more confident and resilient when facing challenges
- Reduce feelings of being overwhelmed or stuck
- Strengthen self-esteem and self-compassion
- Experience greater emotional balance and perspective
- Build tools that support lasting and meaningful change
Counselling is not about quick fixes, but about creating the conditions for understanding, growth, and positive change over time.
Professional Memberships & Accreditation
I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and am accredited with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).
Alongside my clinical work, I offer supervision to both qualified and trainee therapists, providing a reflective and supportive space to develop confidence and effective practice.
My Background
My route into psychotherapy has been shaped by a varied professional career. Before training as a therapist, I worked in recruitment and later ran my own business, experiences that gave me insight into work-related stress and life transitions.
After completing a degree in Psychology, I spent 20 years teaching psychology, finishing my career in education as Head of Sixth Form. This background, combined with my therapeutic training, gives me a broad and compassionate understanding of the pressures people face at different stages of life.
Next Steps
If you’re considering counselling and would like to explore whether working together feels right for you, you’re welcome to get in touch. I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, talk about what you’re looking for, and decide whether working with me would be a good fit for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling, a First Class Honours degree in Psychology, and a PGCE. I have been working as a therapist in NHS and private practice settings since 2021, providing both online and in-person counselling.
Alongside my clinical work, I have lectured in CBT and Psychodynamic Counselling at the University of Suffolk, contributing to the training and development of future practitioners. I also offer clinical supervision to both qualified and trainee therapists.
My training and experience enable me to work with a wide range of mental health difficulties, and I aim to provide a supportive, non-judgemental space where clients can explore their concerns and work towards positive change at their own pace.
Professional Accreditation
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
In addition to specific mental health difficulties, I support clients who are experiencing life challenges and periods of stress, including work-related pressure, relationship difficulties, life transitions, low self-esteem, and feeling overwhelmed. I offer a supportive space to explore these issues and develop coping strategies that help clients manage day-to-day demands and regain a sense of balance.
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My standard fee is £65.00 per 50-minute session. I also offer a reduced rate for supervision and counselling for trainee therapists, which can be discussed during a free 30-minute initial consultation.
Payment is made by bank transfer on the day of each session.
If you need to cancel or rearrange a session, I kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice. Sessions cancelled with less notice, or missed appointments are charged at the full session fee.
Further information
My professional background is varied and has strongly informed my work as a psychotherapist. Prior to training, I worked in recruitment and later ran my own business, gaining valuable experience in understanding people, work-related stress, and life transitions. I then completed a degree in Psychology, which led to a 20-year career in education teaching psychology, concluding as Head of Sixth Form. This role involved leadership, pastoral care, safeguarding, and supporting young people through academic and personal challenges.
Since qualifying, I have worked as a psychotherapist in NHS and private practice settings, providing evidence-based psychological therapy to adults presenting with a wide range of mental health difficulties. I have also contributed to the training of future practitioners through lecturing in CBT and Psychodynamic Counselling at the University of Suffolk, and I provide clinical supervision for both qualified and trainee therapists.
This breadth of experience allows me to bring a reflective, informed, and compassionate approach to both therapy and supervision.
