Kate Oliver-Smith

Kate Oliver-Smith is a psychotherapeutic counsellor with 13 years of practice. She combines counselling skills and previous human resources experience to help people set and reach realistic goals. Kate is warm, down to earth and approachable in sessions. She holds NCPS as a credential. Her career began in Human Resources, working one-to-one and with groups to resolve workplace and personal issues through mediation, coaching and counselling. That early work showed her she enjoyed helping people and that she could do it well. She went on to train in psychotherapeutic approaches including psychodynamic work, cognitive behavioural methods and client-centred practice. In sessions she draws on those approaches alongside practical coaching skills from her HR background. She aims to tailor the way she works to what each person needs, using straightforward conversation, reflection and exercises when helpful. People come for support with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, grief and low self-esteem. Additional areas she supports include parenting strains, career decisions, sleep difficulties, anger, ADHD and challenges linked to adoption or attachment. She also helps people facing chronic illness, caregiving stress, body image concerns and recovery from abuse or domestic violence. Kate works with LGBT concerns and a wide range of life changes. Sessions seek to be non-judgemental and focused on what the client wants to achieve. Prospective clients are asked to confirm session options before booking.

How her approaches transfer to online therapy

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person as they describe their life. The counsellor reflects what is said and helps people find their own solutions, which can work well in a conversation online. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses clear, practical exercises to change patterns; this can be useful for issues like anxiety, sleep problems and anger.

Finding the right approach happens together. The counsellor will discuss your goals and preferences and suggest which ways of working to try. That choice can change over time as needs evolve, and the approach is agreed collaboratively rather than fixed at the start.

The profile does not list specific session formats, so please confirm available options before booking. Many people appreciate online work because it can fit around daily life, remove travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also make it easier to continue therapy during busy or changing periods. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists often adapt materials and exercises so they work well in remote sessions, helping clients keep progress between meetings.