Christine Halden

A conversation with Christine Halden

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I was drawn to counselling through a sustained interest in understanding human behaviour, emotional experience, and the patterns that influence how people relate to themselves and others. I’m particularly interested in the space where people feel stuck or overwhelmed, despite having insight or motivation to change.
  
  Counselling offers a way to work thoughtfully and collaboratively with people in those moments — to slow things down, make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface, and support meaningful, sustainable change. I value the balance the profession offers between evidence-based practice, reflection, and genuine human connection.
  
  My decision to work as a counsellor reflects a commitment to supporting people with care, curiosity, and respect for their autonomy, while grounding the work in sound psychological frameworks and ethical practice.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My work is influenced by humanistic, existential, and contextual philosophies, which emphasise meaning, relationship, and the broader contexts shaping psychological distress. These perspectives inform a collaborative, client-centred approach and integrate well with evidence-based frameworks such as ACT and CBT.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I’m particularly interested in how people navigate change, stress, and emotional overload, and how these experiences affect identity, relationships, and self-understanding. I’m drawn to work around anxiety, burnout, relational patterns, and neurodiversity, as well as supporting people to develop greater self-trust and psychological flexibility across different life stages.

• What methods do you use?

  My work draws primarily on evidence-based psychological approaches, adapted to suit each client’s needs, goals, and context. I commonly use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), particularly where these support emotional regulation, behavioural change, and greater psychological flexibility.
  
  Alongside these approaches, I integrate reflective and relational methods to help clients develop insight into patterns in thinking, emotion, and relationships. Sessions may involve a combination of collaborative discussion, skills-based work, values exploration, and practical strategies that clients can apply between sessions where appropriate.
  
  I place importance on pacing, consent, and ongoing review. Methods are selected and adjusted collaboratively, rather than applied rigidly, with the aim of ensuring therapy remains responsive, ethical, and aligned with the client’s priorities.
  
  In addition to therapeutic work, I also use structured, evidence-based assessment methods when conducting adult ADHD assessments and preparing diagnostic reports, ensuring clarity, transparency, and clinical rigour throughout the process.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Progress in therapy varies from person to person and depends on the nature of the difficulties being explored, the client’s goals, and their readiness for change. Many clients notice some early shifts within the first few sessions, such as feeling better understood, gaining clarity about their experiences, or feeling more hopeful and less alone.
  
  More substantive change — such as improved emotional regulation, behavioural shifts, or changes in long-standing patterns — often develops gradually over time. Therapy is not always linear, and periods of insight or relief can be followed by moments of challenge as new understanding is integrated.
  
  I place importance on regularly reviewing progress together, so we can reflect on what is helping, adjust the approach if needed, and ensure the work remains aligned with the client’s goals. Progress is understood not only as symptom reduction, but also as increased self-understanding, flexibility, and confidence in navigating life’s challenges.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has helped me develop greater self-understanding, emotional flexibility, and compassion in how I respond to challenges. It has shaped how I relate to myself and others, and continues to inform my work as a clinician through a strong appreciation of collaboration, pacing, and psychological safety.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I enjoy most about being a therapist is working with people as they gain clarity, insight, and confidence in improving and managing their lives. I value the depth of the work and the opportunity to support meaningful change in a thoughtful, ethical, and client-centred way.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Like most people, I have days where things don’t feel perfectly aligned — and I think that’s a normal part of being human. What’s important to me is not presenting as flawless, but showing up with care, presence, and professionalism, regardless of the day.
  
  My role isn’t to be perfect, but to be attentive, thoughtful, and grounded in the work. Therapy allows space for humanity, while still holding clear boundaries and a focus on the client’s needs.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  I believe a key challenge today is widespread difficulty tolerating distress in the context of increasing demands and limited systems for burnout prevention. Many people are operating within a narrow window of tolerance, without sufficient support for sustainable regulation, boundaries, and wellbeing.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  Dare to Lead by Brené Brown has been influential in shaping how I think about vulnerability, courage, and values-based leadership. Its emphasis on emotional awareness, boundaries, and accountability resonates strongly with my work as a therapist, particularly in supporting people to engage with discomfort in ways that are constructive rather than avoidant.
  
  The book reinforces the importance of leading — and living — with clarity, self-trust, and integrity, themes that align closely with both my professional values and my approach to therapeutic work.