Kirstie Paton

Therapist Directory Listing Category: Psychotherapists and Counsellors

About the Therapist

About the therapist:

I began my training as therapist/counsellor working in schools and colleges in London. Before then, I was a teacher of many years working with adults and young people in London. Alongside my practice, I work part-time in a further education college, supporting young people and adult learners with mental health issues who access our counselling and advice service.

My areas of specialist support include depression, anxiety, suicide, trauma, sexual and gender identity, abuse, domestic violence and psychosis.

Living in a big city has its own stresses, which is why I offer the opportunity to work in the outdoors. I can offer sessions in my local park and on on my allotment.

Therapy in nature, outdoor therapy or what is sometimes called ‘ecotherapy’, is an approach that recognises the benefits of experiencing nature and that being outdoors can be
relaxing and therapeutic.

Sexual identity:

Heterosexual

Gender identity: Female

Gender history: As assigned at birth

Non-monogamy: No

Intersex: No

Neurodivergent: Yes

Personal pronouns: she/her

Qualifications - Links to websites:

https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/412501/kirstie-paton/

MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents. Birkbeck University.

Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling. Westminster Pastoral Foundation.

Senior Mental Health Lead training. (SMHL). Anna Freud Institute.

Enhanced DBS.

Qualifications - Additional:

Award	Awarding body	Year of award
PGCE (QTS) in Social Sciences	Institute of Education	2010
PGCE (FE) in Psychology and Special Needs.	Greenwich University	1996
BSc Honours in Psychology and Economics	Manchester Metropolitan University	1993

Experience and approach:

My training draws on psychodynamic therapy, research and practice which starts from the view that our early experiences shape us and inform our interactions with others and the world around us. Memories and feelings from the past may impact on our current behaviour and some of these experiences may not be fully conscious to us. By exploring our lives and relationships, both past and present, therapy offers the opportunity to gain greater self awareness and make connections that open up possibilities for change.

I approach each therapeutic encounter as an opportunity to form a unique relationship. My work is influenced by a ‘person centred’ approach to therapy and the recognition that our mental health is inextricably linked to our physical health and wellbeing. The circumstances that we live in, both present and past, make up part of who we are. Sometimes we can feel stuck or trapped in our past. One aspect of therapy is that it recognises that ‘being’ is a developmental process and that we can make choices about how we want to live our lives.

I offer face to face and online sessions using therapy rooms based in London Bridge SE1 and Sydenham SE26. I also offer outdoor therapy in my local park in Sydenham SE26 and on my allotment near Dulwich Woods SE21 (weather permitting!).

We can work in an open-ended way or on the basis of a short term approach.

If you think it helpful, we can review our work after some sessions to discuss how you feel the counselling/therapy is working for you.

Approaches: