Kathryn Hobbs Counselling
Integrative Counselling in Dinas Powys, Barry and Online
Integrative Counselling in Dinas Powys, Barry and Online
Initial Consultation
Reaching out is often the hardest part, which is why I offer a free initial consultation by phone or Zoom. It gives us a chance to meet, to talk about what's brought you to counselling, and for you to get a feel for who I am, and see if we want to work together. There’s no pressure, it’s just a conversation to work out if this feels right for you.
My Approach
I work integratively, which means I'm not locked into one way of doing therapy. Different people need different things, and I draw from what's going to be most useful for you.
Trauma-Informed
Everything I do starts here. Trauma isn't just about big events. It's about understanding how past experiences, especially from childhood, shape how you see yourself and the world now. Those early patterns can create real barriers to living the life you want.
Humanistic and Existential
This means I see you as the expert on your own life. My job isn't to diagnose or fix you. It's to help you explore what matters to you, what's getting in the way, and what you want to change.
Attachment and Relational
How we learned to connect with others early on affects our relationships now. We can look at those patterns, understand where they come from, and work out how to build the connections you actually want.
Somatic Approaches
Sometimes what we carry isn't just in our heads. Trauma lives in the body too. Somatic work helps you notice what your body's telling you and find ways to feel safer in it.
How I Work
I offer sessions in person at my practice room in Dinas Powys and online via Zoom. Some people prefer the structure of coming to a space that's just for therapy. Others need the flexibility of online, especially if you're juggling work, childcare, or health. Both work. It's about what fits your life.
Sessions are 50 minutes for individual work, and we'll meet weekly or fortnightly depending on what you need.
Issues I Can Help With
People come with all sorts of struggles. Anxiety that's been there so long it feels normal. Grief that won't shift. Relationship patterns that keep repeating. Low self-worth that whispers you're not good enough for the job, the relationship, the life you want. I work a lot with trauma and how childhood experiences, even the ones that don't feel dramatic, leave their mark. Emotional neglect. The feeling that you were never quite seen. That shame you can't shake. Life transitions that throw you off balance. Male clients who've been taught emotions are a weakness and now can't reach them at all. Grief, including for beloved pets who gave you unconditional love. Whatever's brought you here, there's room for it.
Couples Counselling
Couples therapy isn't about deciding who's right or wrong. It's about understanding what's happening between you and finding ways to reconnect.
Relationships go through difficult patches. Sometimes it's about communication, how you've stopped really hearing each other. Sometimes it's a life transition that's thrown you off balance, such as becoming a parent, losing a job, or experiencing grief. Sometimes it's infidelity and the mess that comes after. Whatever's brought you here, the focus is on the relationship itself and what you both need from it.
I draw on attachment theory to help you understand how you learned to connect, Gottman's research on what makes relationships work, and Imago therapy to improve how you actually talk to each other. Not just what you say, but how you say it, and whether the other person can hear it.
The Process
We start with an assessment session. It's 90 minutes, longer than a regular session, so we have time to understand what's going on for both of you. After that, if you want to continue, we'll meet for 60-minute sessions. How often and for how long depends on what you need.
This works best when you're both willing to show up and do the work. I can't fix your relationship for you, but I can help you understand it better and give you tools to navigate the hard parts.
Supervision
I'm a qualified clinical supervisor (Level 6) and I work with therapists at every stage. Whether you’re newly qualified and finding your feet or vastly experienced and navigating complex cases, supervision is your space to reflect and grow. I also offer supervision for students needing supervision for training as well as practitioners working in specialised areas, such as nursing.
Supervision isn't just a tick-box exercise. It's where you get to think properly about your work, explore what's coming up for you, and make sure you're working ethically and effectively. It's also where you get support. This work can be isolating, and having someone who gets it makes a real difference.
How It Works
We can meet online or in person, depending on what suits you. Sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes, and we'll meet at a frequency that works for your needs and your professional requirements.
If you're looking for supervision, get in touch and we can arrange an initial conversation to see if we're a good fit.