Kate Oliver-Smith , NCPS

Kate Oliver-Smith is a psychotherapeutic counsellor with 13 years of experience. She brings practical experience from a Human Resources background to therapy and focuses on helping people set realistic goals and make steady changes. Kate is warm, down to earth and approachable in her work style.

Her early career in HR involved mediation, coaching and supporting individuals and groups through workplace problems. That experience shaped her way of listening and talking with people about difficult situations. She then trained further in psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural approaches and person-centred practice, and uses these alongside motivational interviewing and psychodynamic ideas.

Sessions with Kate are aimed at making things manageable. She helps people talk through anxiety, depression, stress and self-esteem concerns. She also supports those facing grief, relationship or intimacy-related issues, addiction and trauma-related problems.

Kate pays attention to the whole picture. She will work with issues such as parenting strain, sleep problems, career stress, body image and challenges stemming from adoption, abandonment or attachment difficulties. She also supports people dealing with chronic illness, caregiving strain and recovery from domestic violence.

In practical terms Kate offers talk-based therapy that is tailored to each person. She uses clear, simple techniques when helpful, and a reflective, curious style when people want to look deeper. She works with people in the United Kingdom and accepts international clients where suitable.

Approach choices and online therapy options

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening without judgement and helping people find their own solutions. It is useful for building self-esteem, exploring values and making decisions that feel right for the individual.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact. It uses practical exercises and small experiments to reduce anxiety, manage mood and change unhelpful habits.

Existential Therapy helps people find meaning and direction when life feels uncertain. It is often used when someone is facing big life questions, career crossroads or major changes.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and adapt methods to match a person’s goals and preferences. That collaborative process means techniques can be practical or reflective depending on what each person needs.

Online sessions are available as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging. Video suits fuller conversations and face-to-face style interaction. Phone sessions can fit around busy days or use less bandwidth. Live chat or messaging work well for short check-ins, ongoing support between sessions or when typing feels easier. These formats make therapy more flexible and accessible for different routines and needs.