When I first came to therapy, I had only very recently been through a traumatic life event. After a period of finding myself homeless and sectioned three to four times (I honestly can’t remember how many) within the space of a year, my best friend encouraged me to seek therapy to help me rebuild my life from ground zero. I remember my very first conversation with Katie; she was immediately warm, gentle and non-judgemental. From our very first session, Katie engendered my trust. This I must tell you, was no mean feat. I have never trusted anyone, let alone myself. Katie was gently curious, patient, and I found myself telling her about my diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and colourful life experiences.
I have worked with other therapists, who were textbook, clinical in their approach and made me feel very unseen and made me feel like a therapy experiment of sorts. From the moment I met Katie; until now, seven years later, Katie has been consistently genuinely empathetic, unfailingly supportive, challenging when needed, and always a solid anchor when the seas got rough. Katie has a very individual therapy style, her emotional resonance, and ability to see beyond the parameters of societal archetypes and constructs makes her very special, both as a therapist and as a human being in this scary world.
I have disclosed all of my darkest fears, screw ups, mishaps, anxieties and importantly my aspirations and ambitions to Katie. This was only possible as a result of Katie’s unwavering and sincere non-judgemental approach, which led to have Attachment-Informed EMDR sessions with Katie to be able to address and try to overcome significant and scarring childhood experiences. This takes trust, real trust and a depth of connection. EMDR is not easy, but with the right therapist, Katie, it can be powerful, life changing and life affirming. From the timeline to the ability to ‘go there’, and ‘come back to the space’, this was only possible with Katie’s intuitive approach, real caring and an ability to connect with me in a way no other therapist has ever been able to.
What makes a therapist? It is certainly not just clinical training, it is not hours of experience; for me it is genuine warmth, and a passion to help those drifting through life, or those on the rock face looking down, ready to jump at any given moment.
Katie’s sensitive, tailored approach and EMDR practice have given me my life back. Katie has a sincere depth of empathy which has been instrumental in transforming my relationships with others and, so importantly myself. I will always be profoundly grateful for Katie; her patience, perseverance, warmth and complete absence of judgement have helped me to restore my trust, really understand myself, make considered choices and genuinely want to be alive.
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