Welcome to Bowbrook Counselling
Be Free to Be Yourself
Welcome and thank you for visiting Bowbrook Counselling
Living with neurodivergence can be challenging at times. Social cues can be confusing and our emotions overwhelming; sensory overload can shut us down and sometimes just trying to focus or finish everyday tasks can be exhausting.
Maybe you’re re-evaluating your life and relationships, or finding it hard to cope with change at work or a difficult family situation. Perhaps you feel you don’t fit in or you want to better understand yourself and how you relate to others. Maybe you are dealing with fatigue or burnout, or feeling distressed, anxious or overwhelmed, and it’s hard to deal with your emotions.
Or maybe you (or someone you care about) has been recently diagnosed with neurodivergence and you are trying to make sense of what this means for you.
Reaching out for help is often the hardest first step to take.
Talking to the right counsellor enables you to navigate changes in your life conscious of what you need and to be more at peace with yourself. At Bowbrook Counselling you can explore your feelings in a confidential, safe space with someone who understands the challenges you’re going through. I offer you a place to stop and think about how you came to be who you are and how you want your life to be moving forward.
A bit about me
I’m Catherine Harding, a qualified therapeutic counsellor registered with the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). I support adults of all ages and young people 16 years and over. I was already a counsellor when I had a late adult diagnosis of ADHD. That ‘lightbulb moment’ led me to specialise in neurodiverse conditions, particularly ADHD, AuDHD and Autism Spectrum Condition.
Neurodiversity refers to the view that neurological differences should be respected and recognised as a part of the human condition. I work in a neuro-affirmative way, which means I see and value your strengths as well as give you a supportive space to think about any challenges you are facing. I have built my practice and way of working around meeting some of the different needs we have. A cornerstone of this is offering a compassionate and non-judgemental space so you can freely express yourself and be accepted and understood.
What can counselling help with?
I work across a wide range of issues, including:
ADD / ADHD
Anger management
Anxiety
Autism spectrum
Bereavement
Child related issues
Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME
Depression
Disability
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
Health related issues
Identity issues
LGBTQ+ counselling
Loss
Low self-esteem
Menopause
Men’s issues
Neurodiversity
OCD
Redundancy
Parenting
Personal relationships
Self-esteem
Stress
Women's issues
Work related issues
How I Work
As an integrative counsellor, I have studied many different theories of why we are the way we are - and how we can address any difficulties we are experiencing. I work in a neuro-affirmative way, which means I accept the differences in all of us. I see the whole person, not a list of ‘deficits’. I start with trying to understand what your life is like. We will talk about what is causing you the most difficulty but we will also recognise and appreciate the strengths and other qualities that you bring.
I draw upon various integrative therapeutic approaches, such as Humanistic, Narrative therapy, Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Relational theory. I use different aspects of these theories in our work together. We can use traditional talking therapy or creative and visual tools to help you express what you are feeling or to make changes in your life.
Frequently asked questions
After you get in touch, I will contact you (usually no later than the next working day) to schedule an initial 20-minute FREE telephone or zoom conversation. I will talk you through the counselling process and you can ask me any questions or raise any concerns you may have. We can also discuss your needs and goals for therapy and whether you want to work face to face (in person) or online or on the telephone. If you feel comfortable talking to me and I can provide the right support for you we can book your Initial Consultation session. This first session is longer than the standard 50-minute session. Initial Consultation sessions cost £80.00 and last up to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I work within their ethical framework. Confidentiality underpins everything you discuss with me during our sessions. There are only a few exceptions to this where I am obliged to break confidentiality: if you disclose involvement in or knowledge of any criminal activities or if there is a safeguarding issue if you or any adult related to you or your child could potentially be under threat of harm or abuse.
Face-to-face sessions are held in person at my private practice in the town centre of Basingstoke in Hampshire. The consultation room is a modern and comfortable space with refreshments available. Parking is available nearby with easy access from Reading, Fleet, Farnham, Alton, Berkshire and Surrey.
Online sessions are a very convenient way of undergoing counselling but when you start working with an online counsellor, it can feel daunting initially. Building our therapeutic relationship is key to personal growth and lasting change. I offer a warm, safe and non-judgmental space for you to talk openly and freely.
I use the Zoom platform for online counselling and if we work this way, we will talk about the best way to book our sessions. I will usually send you a zoom link in advance. At the time of the appointment you click on the link and are in a private virtual waiting room until I start the session. I have generally experienced these as working very well, but one of the things we will talk about at the beginning is what to do if we have any technical problems and what alternatives we have.
Please pay in full 24 hours before your session begins. Payment is via bank transfer. Standard sessions cost £65.00 and last 50 minutes.
We will usually agree on a time and day to meet each week for as long as you need. Each week at the end of the session we will confirm the following week’s time. If after confirming the time for that week, you find you are unable to attend I ask that you let me know as soon as possible. If we can reschedule the appointment (subject to my availability) there can be either a reduced cancellation charge (£15) or in some cases, no charge, for the change. Cancellation or non-attendance within 48 hours of the appointment means that the full session fee is charged.
My location
I offer online, telephone or in-person counselling at my private practice consultation room. This is within the Treatment Hub, in the town centre of Basingstoke, Hampshire. There is access to parking nearby and I am close to Reading, Farnham, Fleet, Alton, Berkshire and Surrey.
Fees & availability
I offer a FREE 20-minute introductory telephone conversation where we can talk through the counselling process and I learn more about the issues you are experiencing. If we both feel we are a good fit and you want us to collaborate, we will arrange an Initial Consultation.
The Initial consultation is longer than a regular session. It costs £80 and is around 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Any subsequent sessions for adults and adolescents (16 years +) are 50 minutes long and cost £65.00.
To book an appointment email me directly or get in touch using the contact form below.
Get in touch
The best way to get in touch is by email, but you can also call me on 07771 346656 if you
would prefer to leave a voice message. Usually we will need to arrange a specific time to
have a confidential phone discussion. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you
may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Enquires are usually answered within 24 hours (excluding weekends), and all contact is strictly confidential.
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