Cathy Brittain

Life is tough. We all experience loss and difficulties along the way but sometimes those things can feel unmanageable or overwhelming. Maybe the situation is just too big, or maybe it's an accumulation of things that have built up over time that mean you feel you need some therapeutic support. As an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, trained in Person-Centred, CBT and Attachment Theory with a particular specialism in working with traumatic loss and bereavement I can provide a professional, warm, accepting space for you to work through your current issues and to explore how your past may be informing your responses in the here and now.

Depending on your needs and preferences we may work 'top-down', re-evaluating current coping strategies and enabling you to live more closely in line with your values. A 'bottom-up' approach tends to be more appropriate when working with trauma and involves establishing safety before encouraging closer connection to emotions and somatic sensations.

As someone who has experienced the transformative power of therapy in my own life I understand how much trust it takes to sit in the 'other chair' and open up. This knowledge informs the way I work and I hope to ensure my clients feel deeply heard and warmly accepted as well as fully in control of their therapeutic process.

Experience:

I have gained experience through a variety of roles including as a trainee and volunteer therapist working for a specialist charity supporting parents bereaved of a child and young people who have lost a parent and 6+ years facilitating a bereavement support group. Most recently I have been working with a huge variety of presenting issues both for a Nottingham counselling service and within my private therapy practice.

Qualifications:

MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy

PG Diploma Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy

I work face to face from a light, bright garden therapy room which I hope feels a peaceful, green, plant filled retreat. I offer zoom sessions too for people who prefer that way of working or a combination of the two to fit around your life and commitments.

I also offer walk and talk therapy sessions as an alternative, potentially less intense experience which also use the power of movement and a connection to nature to aid therapy.

Depending on your preference I offer a free 15 minute phone/zoom consultation to make that initial connection and see whether it feels as though my experience, skills and personality feel like a good fit for you. However if you would prefer to get straight on with it, that's fine too. 

At the first session I will ask you to briefly explain your reasons for seeking therapy, any current thoughts, behaviours or emotions which you are struggling with and anything from your past which you feel may be informing your current situation. I would also be interested to know your specific goals for therapy. There will also be plenty of opportunity for you to ask any questions about how I work and address and fears or concerns you may have about therapy. 

If, after the initial session, you decide to continue therapy, one of the first things we would do would be to explore your preferences for therapy. As an integrative practitioner I am able to tailor the way of working to suit your needs so this may include how structured or unstructured you think you would like sessions to be, the balance of past versus present orientation or how much you would like to be challenged.