Kat Hurst, BACP

Kat Hurst is a counsellor who focuses on anxiety, trauma and issues that commonly affect women and girls. She sees people aged 14 and above who identify as female, and offers a calm space to talk about distressing experiences. Her approach aims to help people regain a sense of control and self-worth at a pace that feels safe for them.

Kat uses an integrative, phased way of working that adapts to each person’s needs. She draws on a mix of therapeutic methods, including cognitive behavioural techniques and humanistic ideas, to support recovery from anxiety, trauma and disordered eating. Sessions are collaborative and non-judgemental, with an emphasis on listening and understanding.

Her earlier work was in mental health hospitals, where she gained experience supporting adolescents and adults with eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. She continues to work with female clients who are dealing with disordered eating, while noting that medical oversight is important alongside therapy for safety.

Kat places empowerment at the centre of her practice. She encourages people to develop personal insight and practical coping strategies that fit their everyday life. The pace and content of therapy are set together, so clients feel able to make gradual changes.

With four years of practice and registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, she combines clinical experience with relational care. Prospective clients can meet to see whether her way of working feels like a good match for their needs.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Kat uses evidence-based techniques in an integrative way. Cognitive behavioural approaches focus on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, which can reduce symptoms of anxiety and panic. Humanistic and existential ideas help people explore meaning, values and self-worth, which is useful for issues like body image, self-esteem and recovery from trauma.

Choosing the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences and together they will decide which methods to try. That collaborative process means the plan can change as progress is made or new concerns appear.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session formats offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around school, work or childcare and can reduce travel time. Different formats also allow for shorter check-ins or sessions that do not require being on camera, which can help when someone needs a simpler way to connect.