Kate Kingwell

A conversation with Kate Kingwell

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

  I've always had a genuine interest in people, their stories and what shapes the way we think, feel and behave. My own life experiences have taught me the importance of feeling heard, understood and supported, especially during life's most challenging moments.
  
  These experiences inspired me to pursue counselling and psychotherapy, turning my passion for helping others into a profession I truly love.
  
  What I find most rewarding is watching someone begin to believe in themselves again, recognise their own strengths and realise they have the ability to create meaningful change. I believe everyone deserves to feel supported, valued and empowered to live a life that feels right for them.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My approach has been shaped by the belief that we all have the capacity to heal, grow and create meaningful change when we feel safe, heard and understood.
  
  I'm particularly drawn to person-centred, humanistic and holistic approaches that recognise the connection between our thoughts, emotions, behaviours and physical wellbeing.
  
  I've also been influenced by cognitive behavioural therapy, attachment theory, inner child work and trauma-informed approaches, which help us understand how past experiences can shape our present lives.
  
  I believe therapy isn't about telling someone how to live their life. It's about walking alongside them with compassion, helping them discover their own strengths, understand themselves more deeply and feel empowered to make choices that are right for them.

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

  I'm particularly interested in understanding how our life experiences shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others and navigate the world around us.
  
  I'm passionate about emotional wellbeing, relationships, trauma recovery, addiction and the connection between our mind, body and emotions. I find it especially meaningful to help people recognise patterns that may be holding them back, rebuild their self-worth and develop healthier relationships with themselves and others.
  
  I believe our past experiences can influence us, but they don't have to define our future. What inspires me most is seeing people rediscover their confidence, find hope during difficult times and realise they're capable of creating a life that feels more peaceful, connected and fulfilling.

• What methods do you use?

  I believe therapy should be as individual as the person sitting in front of me. I combine counselling and strategic psychotherapy with evidence-informed approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Clinical EFT (tapping), clinical hypnotherapy, attachment-based work, inner child work and emotional regulation techniques.
  
  My approach is warm, collaborative and trauma-informed. I take the time to understand your experiences, explore underlying beliefs and patterns, and help you make sense of what you're feeling.
  
  I also provide practical tools and strategies you can use between sessions, because I believe meaningful change happens not only during therapy, but in everyday life.
  
  Together, we'll find an approach that feels comfortable, supportive and right for you, always working at your pace and towards the changes that matter most to you.

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

  I believe progress looks different for everyone, and there's no set timeline for healing or change. Some people begin to feel a sense of relief after our first conversation, simply from feeling heard, understood and knowing they don't have to face things alone.
  
  For others, progress happens gradually as we explore underlying patterns, develop new perspectives and practise healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.
  
  I encourage us to recognise the small wins along the way, because they often lead to the biggest changes. My aim is for you to leave each session feeling supported, with greater understanding and practical tools you can use in everyday life.
  
  We'll regularly check in on how you're feeling and what's changing, making sure our work continues to support your individual needs and goals.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has played an important role in my own personal growth and healing. It's helped me better understand myself, recognise patterns that weren't serving me and learn to approach life's challenges with greater compassion and self-awareness.
  
  Through my own experiences, I've come to understand how powerful it can be to have someone truly listen without judgement, and how meaningful change often begins with understanding ourselves.
  
  It's also taught me that healing isn't always a straight path. There are challenges, setbacks and moments of growth along the way.
  
  These experiences have shaped the way I work with my clients. I bring not only my professional training, but also genuine empathy, understanding and a belief that no matter where we are in life, we have the capacity to grow, heal and create a different future.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I love most about being a therapist is the privilege of being part of someone's journey, especially during times when life feels overwhelming or uncertain.
  
  There's something incredibly rewarding about watching a person begin to understand themselves, recognise their strengths and find the confidence to make positive changes in their life.
  
  I love those moments when something finally clicks, when someone starts to see themselves differently, sets a healthy boundary, reconnects with their self-worth or realises they have more choices than they once believed.
  
  For me, it's not about having all the answers or telling someone what to do. It's about creating a space where people feel genuinely heard, understood and supported while discovering their own way forward.
  
  Being able to do work that makes a meaningful difference in someone's life is something I never take for granted.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Absolutely! I'm human too, and just like everyone else, I have days when things don't quite go to plan. Life isn't always perfect, and neither am I!
  
  I believe it's important to be able to laugh at ourselves, embrace our imperfections and remember that we're all a work in progress.
  
  I don't expect my clients to have everything figured out, because I certainly don't have all the answers either. What matters is how we learn, grow and treat ourselves with kindness along the way. And sometimes, a little humour makes all the difference!

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

  I believe one of the biggest challenges we face today is disconnection. Despite being more connected through technology than ever before, so many people feel lonely, overwhelmed, misunderstood or disconnected from themselves and those around them.
  
  We're often so busy trying to keep up with life's demands that we forget to slow down, listen to one another and look after our own emotional wellbeing.
  
  I see how this affects our mental health, relationships, families and sense of self-worth.
  
  I believe we need more compassion, kindness, understanding and genuine human connection, not only towards others but also towards ourselves.
  
  If we can learn to listen without judgement, communicate with respect and take responsibility for our own wellbeing, I believe we can create healthier relationships, stronger communities and a more compassionate world.

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

  Two books that have deeply inspired me are The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and Becoming Supernatural by Dr Joe Dispenza.
  
  The Prophet speaks to my heart through its beautiful reflections on love, relationships, grief, freedom and the human experience. It reminds me that life's challenges can also offer opportunities for understanding, compassion and personal growth.
  
  Becoming Supernatural inspires my interest in the connection between our thoughts, emotions, beliefs and physical wellbeing. I find its exploration of self-awareness, meditation and personal transformation fascinating, while recognising that some of its scientific claims remain unproven.
  
  Both books reflect something I believe deeply: our past experiences can shape us, but they don't have to define who we become. We all have the capacity to grow, change and create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.