With Kate Smalldon BA(Hons), PGCert., PGDip., Reg.MBACP
With Kate Smalldon BA(Hons), PGCert., PGDip., Reg.MBACP
About Me
Hello!
My name is Kate and I'm a qualified, BACP registered, integrative counsellor/psychotherapist with 9 years counselling experience. My aim for setting up a therapy practice was to provide help and support to those who are struggling with life's challenges.
Do you feel as though something in your life isn't right? Maybe you've found yourself at a crossroads, unsure of where to go next. You might want support with reaching a decision, or facing your past. You might be looking to address relational or behavioural patterns, or want someone to help you cope through a current crisis. It might be none of those things.
It could be difficult to explain, and others don't seem to understand:- all you know is that you don't want to feel like it anymore, and you want things to be different.
Feel free to contact me if you'd like to know more, or to book a first session and see if we are a good fit for working together.
Training & Qualifications
I hold the following formal qualifications:
Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Level 7)
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling (Level 6)
BA (Hons) Counselling & Social Studies (Level 6)
I also have further training and CPD in: Attachment Theory, Existential Wellbeing, How Trauma Affects The Body, Science Of Wellbeing, Existentialism, Trauma Informed Practice Of Working With Care Leavers, Positive Psychology, Counselling Older Adults, Interpersonal Therapy For Depression, Gestalt, Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, Ethics, Positive Behaviour Management, Autism
Experience
Before I qualified as a counsellor, my background was within the health and social care sector; working with learning disabled adults.
I began seeing clients in 2014 during my counselling training, and since then I have had the privilege of working with a range of people from all walks of life in both counselling and support capacities such as:-
- working in several universities across South Wales; supporting students with their mental health as a Specialist Mentor; and at the moment, I'm a part time Mental Health Advisor for USW
- working in a homeless shelter with refugees, prison leavers, and those experiencing addiction and trauma.
- Working for Affordable Talk Counselling Agency and the NHS
- Volunteering for Sesame Counselling Newport and South Wales Counselling and Psychotherapy
Issues I Work With (and significant areas of experience in bold):
- Abuse: physical, emotional, sexual and financial
- Relationship issues, affairs and betrayals
- Anxiety & panic attacks
- Body dysmorphia
- Career/work/redundancy
- Dissociation
- Dream analysis
- Gender dysphoria
- Hoarding
- Learning difficulties, ADHD & autism
- Low self-esteem
- Postnatal depression
- Self-harm
- Stress
- Addiction(s) & alcohol dependency (including sex and porn addiction)
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Carer support
- Depression & low mood
- Discrimination
- Obsessive compulsive behaviours
- Personality & mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Spirituality
- Trauma
- Anger management
- Attachment issues (including avoidant, anxious and disorganised attachment styles and their relational dynamics)
- Chronic illness/health anxiety
- Domestic violence
- Loneliness
- Paranoia
- Infertility, pregnancy, birth & miscarriage
- Separation and divorce
- Sexuality, sex issues
- Suicidal thoughts
- Dysfunctional defence mechanisms
- Learning coping strategies
- Family conflict
- Self development
- Relational patterns
- Decision-making
- Psychosomatic symptoms
- Weight loss/weight gain
- Negative/intrusive thoughts
- Parenting difficulties
- Aggression & violent behaviour
- Crisis and existential anxieties
What To Expect
It can be really difficult to open up to someone about something that is deeply personal, which is why I will take the process at your own pace, offering an impartial and confidential space.
If you've never been to counselling before; you might be feeling nervous or apprehensive, so it could be reassuring to know what to expect.
On the first session I may ask what your hopes, fears and expectations are about therapy so I will know how to support you. It’s a good opportunity for you to take charge, and tell me as much as you can about what you want (or don’t want!) from therapy so you can achieve the best outcome. This process is on-going, and I welcome questions and feedback throughout the duration.
Prior to our first session I will also ask you to read and agree to my standard working agreement which outlines policies such as lateness, confidentiality, note-taking etc. If you have any questions about this, don't hesitate to contact me.