Kate Oliver-Smith, NCPS

Kate Oliver-Smith is a psychotherapeutic counsellor with 13 years of experience. She believes people can reach realistic life goals and that talking things through in therapy can help. Kate draws on past work in human resources to support how she listens and responds.

Her early career in HR involved mediation, coaching and informal counselling. Those roles shaped how she helps people untangle workplace and personal problems. She then trained further in psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural approaches and person-centred work. She holds NCPS as a listed credential.

Kate aims for a straightforward, non-judgemental style. Sessions are practical and grounded. She combines counselling skills with empathy and plain language to make sessions feel accessible and calm.

People come to her for many issues. She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions and relationship concerns. She also supports those coping with grief, parenting strain, body image worries, ADHD-related challenges and career decisions.

Her work uses a blend of approaches tailored to each person. That might mean looking at patterns from the past, building new coping strategies, or focusing on immediate solutions. Kate says the right mix depends on what the person wants to change and how they prefer to work.

Sessions aim to be collaborative and practical. Kate helps clients set achievable steps and reviews progress together. The emphasis is on making small, manageable changes that fit everyday life.

How Kate’s approaches fit with online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person’s own experience and aims to create a respectful, accepting space. It helps when someone needs to be heard and to build self-understanding. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviours link to mood and stress. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and practical coping skills. Existential Therapy examines meaning, choice and personal values to help when people face big life questions or changes.

Finding the best approach is part of the work together. Kate will discuss options and adapt methods to what the person needs and prefers. This is a collaborative process where goals and ways of working are agreed as therapy progresses.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and shared visual cues. Phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited or a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit people who prefer typing, want ongoing written contact, or need support between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and travel commitments while keeping the focus on clear practical steps.