Meet the Therapist - Kathryn Hackland

What attracted you to become a therapist?

Many things have drawn me towards my career as a therapist. I come from an extended family full of ‘helpers’...medics, counsellors, teachers and social workers. I have watched my family interact with people in ways that have inspired me. So I suppose this has been my ‘blueprint’.

What type of therapy do you practice and what is it like?

My original counselling role was as a genetic counsellor working with multi-generational family groups. After a few years ‘out’ having my family and travelling the world with my partner’s job, I came back to the UK and trained for a Masters degree in Person-Centred Therapy. Any ‘rescuing’ tendencies I may have had, were converted into an understanding that the best forms of ‘helping’ are done when us counsellors enable our clients to rescue themselves. As a Person-Centred therapist, I believe that my client has an innate ability to ‘self-right’ once offered a relationship that has at it’s core safety, honest transparency, unconditional regard and empathy.

What type of clients do you usually see?

I have subsequently undertaken training in couples therapy and trauma therapy. My focus and interest has recently moved towards working with complex relational trauma (CPTSD), and some of the associated challenges people experience with a trauma history. We understand now that the best way to work with clients with trauma history is by incorporating an understanding of the brain and central nervous system into our relational process. I work now with ‘parts’ (IFS) and also using sensorimotor (body grounding) techniques.

I work with a whole range of clients and have learned so much from them about resilience, resourcefulness, the many ways we learn to ‘survive’ adversity. This is what keeps me practicing and is an unexpected magic within the work. Us humans have an innate capacity to survive, adapt and build.

If you had one piece of advice for someone thinking about therapy, what would it be?

If you are thinking about starting therapy, I would encourage you to read up on the various forms of counselling. I would expect you to really ‘check me out’ in the first session to make sure that you feel I am the right ‘fit’ for you. We can normally suss this out within minutes! My job in these minutes is to just be myself and talk you through the process of sharing. I would be trusting that you know what it is you feel able to share. You would lead. You only share what you want...and totally direct the content. My skills are in helping to manage the relationship between us, creating safety and trust and attuned listening. This process can let you hear yourself in a different way.

There is sometimes a need for skills building/psychological education...especially around managing trauma symptoms. This may well be introduced in the early stages of therapy as a way of creating support for any feelings activated by sharing.

I have regular individual and group supervision. This keeps me grounded and resourced. I enjoy learning and continually update my knowledge on training courses and with self-directed learning.

As a therapist, I also have had to be a client (essential). Sitting both sides of the room has been life changing. Talking about ‘me’ to another person uniquely trained to ‘hear’ me, has made my life become more consciously and compassionately (self and others) lived.

What do you do for your own mental health?

I live out in the countryside and love running and hiking. Both keep me fit and help me manage daily stressors. I also love music and sing in a choir. Singing is one of the best mood regulators I have come across. My running discipline helps me manage the impact of my other love...cooking and baking!