Katherine Purdy

Katherine Purdy is a counsellor registered with the BACP who moved into therapy after more than a decade working as a paramedic. She welcomes people who are anxious, grieving, lonely, frightened or struggling with sadness. Her early career in emergency care shapes a calm, steady presence in sessions.

Katherine listens closely and helps people make sense of difficult moments. She believes events can’t always be changed, but feelings about them can shift over time. Sessions aim to give space for the thoughts and worries that feel overwhelming right now.

Her background in emergency medicine and three years of counselling practice inform a practical, down-to-earth style. Katherine focuses on building trust so people can explore issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, anger and relationship difficulties. She also supports those dealing with grief, parenting strain, addiction concerns and career stress.

Katherine uses several therapeutic approaches to match different needs. These include attachment-based and client-centred ways of working, plus mindfulness, narrative and psychodynamic perspectives. She draws from these to help people understand patterns, regulate strong emotions and rewrite difficult stories about themselves.

People can expect a warm, steady presence and gentle guidance rather than rushed solutions. Katherine describes counselling as a chance to find more calm and hope. She invites anyone ready to talk to start with a brief matching questionnaire and then arrange sessions that suit their schedule.

How her approaches translate to online counselling

Attachment-based work focuses on understanding how early relationships shape current patterns. In practice this means looking at how people relate to others and feel close or distant, and helping them try new ways of connecting. Client-centred therapy places the person’s experience at the heart of sessions, offering non-judgemental listening and support to clarify goals and feelings. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention skills to reduce reactivity and manage stress and anger in the moment.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Katherine will discuss your needs, goals and preferences and help decide which combination of methods fits best. This is a collaborative process that can change as therapy progresses.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the specific session options before booking since the biography does not list formats. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It can also allow people to meet from wherever they are based, which is helpful for those accepting international clients. Discuss practical arrangements with the therapist when you schedule to choose what suits your routine.