Zandra Austin

I am currently offering counselling and CBT online via Teams or Zoom.

My name is Zandra Austin and my belief in the importance of prioritising mental health in order to get the best out of life led to me training as a Psychotherapist. Being trained in Brief Psychodynamic Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I have had experience working with a wide range of clients presenting with different mental health problems. I’ve worked in a range of settings, including NHS Wellbeing Services and charities offering low cost counselling services, providing both online and in-person counselling. I have experience of working with a range of different disorders, including Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Social phobia, PTSD, Trauma and Panic disorder. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and and Accredited Member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

It is common to feel apprehensive approaching a counsellor for the first time.  For this reason, I offer a free 20 minute consultation so that you can assess whether I can be of help to you and if you would feel comfortable working with me.  This can take place by phone or online.

I offer both Psychodynamic Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

My psychodynamic approach to counselling involves working collaboratively with you to identify repetitive patterns of relating which may be impacting your mental health.

We will agree the focus of our work together, aiming to identify central patterns which characterise your emotional life, in your inner world and your interpersonal relationships. The aim is to enable you to gain insight into core conflicts and underlying ways of relating which may lie at the root of the problems you are experiencing.

CBT is a structured, short term psychotherapy focused on solving current problems and modifying unhelpful thinking and behaviour. It is a therapy in which we both take an active role, often requiring you to work between sessions on mutually agreed tasks designed to challenge your thinking and change your behaviour.  

I offer a safe and confidential service.

Counselling and CBT sessions are 50 minutes long.  The first session may be longer as we will need to gather information about you and your situation and to decide the best way of working together.

My name is Zandra Austin, and I am a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist accredited with the BABCP, also practicing Time-Limited Psychodynamic Therapy and registered with the BACP. Since achieving distinction in my MSc in CBT and Counselling in 2021, I have worked as a therapist in the NHS, Private Practice, and the Charitable Sector. My experience spans a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, social anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD. Passionate about inclusivity and widening access to mental health services, I work with people from diverse backgrounds and have expertise in neurodiversity, including ASD and ADHD.

Prior to becoming a therapist, I spent 20 years in education, teaching A-level Psychology and overseeing the academic and pastoral welfare of students aged 16-18 as Head of Sixth Form. I believe education is at the core of wellbeing and have also served as a lecturer in CBT and Counselling at the University of Suffolk. I offer supervision to both qualified and trainee therapists, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment tailored to individual or group settings. With my extensive experience supervising MSc trainee therapists, I provide expert guidance for both CBT and Psychodynamic therapists, ensuring that your unique needs and therapeutic approaches are effectively addressed

As a supervisor, my approach is grounded in ethical practice, reflective learning, and developmental support to ensure the growth and competence of my supervisees. I strive to create a trusting, respectful, and collaborative environment where you can feel safe to explore your thoughts, feelings, and professional challenges.

You can expect our supervision to be a blend of education and support, with sessions tailored to your developmental stage, providing relevant knowledge, skills, and strategies to enhance your clinical practice. 

Our relationship will be built on mutual respect and empathy. I am dedicated to understanding your unique experiences and perspectives, offering emotional support and validation as you navigate your professional journey. Constructive feedback is a cornerstone of my supervision, and I will provide specific, balanced, and actionable insights to help you refine your practice.

We will set clear, achievable goals for your development, regularly reviewing and adjusting them based on your progress and evolving needs. Accountability is key, and I will monitor your professional behavior and progress, offering regular evaluations and constructive critiques.

My extensive clinical and supervisory experience ensures that I bring competence and up-to-date knowledge to our sessions. I value open and effective communication, actively listening and responding thoughtfully to your concerns. Patience and flexibility are integral to my approach, adapting my supervision style to meet your individual needs.

I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, creating an environment where all supervisees feel respected and valued. By empowering you to make independent clinical decisions and encouraging critical thinking, I aim to foster your autonomy and confidence as a practitioner.

By choosing me as your supervisor, you can expect a supportive, ethical, and growth-oriented supervision experience that prioritizes your professional development and well-being.

In the first session, we will focus on contracting and exploring your specific needs as a supervisee. This initial meeting will also involve outlining the responsibilities of both the supervisor and supervisee to ensure a clear and mutually understood framework for our supervision process. Sessions will normally be one hour in length, although this may vary for group supervision. Supervisees are expected to engage in a collaborative approach, fostering an open and productive supervisory relationship.