Beauty Bank Counselling

Hi, I’m Katherine Thomason, and I never set out to be a therapist-it sort of happened along the way. Back when my youngest was a baby, I wanted to get my brain back into gear after taking time out as a full-time mom. I decided to try a short course-something useful but manageable-and landed on a 10-week Listening and Helping Skills course. Little did I know it would completely change my life! One course led to another, and before I knew it, I was hooked. There’s something magical about helping people piece together their life stories, make sense of relationships, and move forward.Fast forward to 2011, and I found myself taking on the financial challenge of a Level 5 Counselling Diploma. It was tough but so rewarding. Alongside classroom learning, I completed 40 hours of personal therapy, 50 hours of work-based training, and 150 supervised counselling hours at my placement with the NHS in Sandwell (now Sandwell Talking Therapies). I graduated in 2013, stayed on as a volunteer counsellor for another year, and started working for the NHS in 2015. I won’t lie, it was nerve-wracking at first-the weight of responsibility felt huge-but over time, I gained confidence and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.I set up my private practice in 2014, and it’s grown steadily since. These days, I split my time between my NHS role and my private clients, which includes working with EAP companies and BUPA. I love the mix of both worlds-it keeps things fresh and balanced. I’ve never stopped learning, either. Over the years, I’ve gained a trauma qualification and completed a grief and loss course, among others.Outside of work, I’m a busy mom to three teenagers, which definitely keeps me on my toes. Life’s a juggling act, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Helping people is my passion, and I feel lucky to be able to do it every day.