VetPsyche Counselling for the Veterinary Community from Canterbury, Kent

Welcome to VetPsyche

Veterinary surgeons experience higher rates of mental distress when compared to the general population [1] and working in vet practice poses specific challenges for all team members. Feelings of shame, guilt and failure are often a barrier to seeking help. VetPsyche provides compassionate and confidential counselling to all members of the veterinary community and therapeutic support to bereaved pet owners.

Members of the veterinary profession experience higher rates of mental ill health when compared to the general population. Feelings of shame, guilt and failure are often a barrier to seeking help.

VetPsyche offers professional, empathic and confidential support to anyone working within the profession who is struggling to cope with life's challenges.

About me

My name is Cate (she/her) and I hold a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I have worked as a veterinary surgeon for over twenty years, so have personal experience of the many challenges of working in practice. I am also an experienced Vetlife volunteer. I have good awareness and understanding of the more common difficulties faced by the veterinary profession.

During lockdown I made the decision to train as a counsellor, enabling me to further support members of the veterinary profession. Working near Canterbury in Kent I offer remote counselling to vets, veterinary nurses and all other practice team members.

I also offer therapeutic support to people who are grieving the loss of a pet, having completed the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support Training in 2022. I am a registered member of the Association of Pet Bereavement Counsellors.

I provide a professional, non-judgemental and confidential space where you can be empowered to find your own solutions in your own time.

Since undertaking my own personal therapy I understand how important it is to be held in a relationship that feels safe and trusted. I also know how hard it can be to ask for help.

I am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), hold a current DBS certificate and am fully insured. I adhere to the ethical framework of the BACP.

Cate Brothwell

BVSc MRCVS

Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Certificate in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health
TA101 Certificate IARTA
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills

Empowering Self-Discovery Through Counselling

Whether you are concerned about something specific or just find yourself struggling and feeling stuck, we can explore your situation, leading to new perspectives and better understanding of your problems. Counselling can help when we are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, identity, relationship difficulties, and bereavement for example. It can offer a safe space to explore past experiences of trauma and abuse, helping to improve self-esteem and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

I work with a humanistic, person-centred modality, but as an integrative therapist, I can incorporate aspects of different therapeutic models to best suit your needs.

As a person-centred counsellor I believe that we each possess the ability to work towards fulfilment of our unique potential. My approach is non-directive, allowing you to take the lead in our sessions, and I hold the belief that the strength of our therapeutic relationship is key to success.

Counselling is not about offering advice but creates greater self-awareness, allowing you to discover and connect with your true self. Everyone’s counselling journey is unique but I hope that you will feel safe to freely express your thoughts and feelings and in return feel heard and accepted.

I am trauma informed and have experience in working with stress and anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, compassion fatigue and burnout, vicarious trauma, low self-esteem, self-harm, grief and loss, loneliness and relationship difficulties. I provide a safe and accessible space for members of the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities.

This list is not exhaustive - if you have any questions about whether I am able to support you please get in touch. If I feel that my service and skills will not meet your requirements I will discuss this with you and work with you to find a suitable alternative.

Fees & Availability

I offer short and long-term online therapy via a secure platform. Sessions are held weekly and are 50 mins long.

Our first session will last around half an hour and is free of charge. This will provide an opportunity to discuss your concerns and decide if how I work meets your needs. Following this there is no obligation to continue.

The cost of each session is £50 and payment is via bank transfer. I reserve a number of spaces at a reduced cost, so please enquire if cost is a concern. I politely request 24hrs notice for cancellation of sessions or a fee of £25 will be charged.

If you need urgent support please contact NHS mental health services (111 or 999 or go to your nearest A & E department) or call the Samaritans (www.samaritans.org) on 116 123 or Vetlife (www.vetlife.org.uk) 0303 040 2551.

Get in touch

Please contact me if you have any further questions about counselling or if you would like to arrange a free 30-minute initial session via Zoom.

This enables us to discuss the reasons you are seeking therapy and whether it could be helpful for you. I will carry out an initial assessment during this session to help us decide whether I am the right therapist to help.

I endeavour to answer all enquires within two working days and all contact is strictly confidential.

Frequently Asked Questions

I recognise that it can be difficult to attend counselling each week when we have busy working lives. However, to be effective, counselling does require regular commitment and it is preferable to have time set aside weekly to meet.

I am professionally committed to protecting your confidentiality and privacy and adhere to the ethical framework of the BACP.

This will vary from person-to-person and depends on a number of factors such as whether you are attending to address a specific problem or coming to explore long standing issues. We will discuss your reasons for coming to counselling during our first session and consider how long it may take for therapy to be effective. I work on an open-ended basis, but we will review how things are going on a regular basis. Once we commence working together you are not tied in and are free to end counselling at any time.

It would be unethical for me to be in a dual relationship with my clients so if I have worked with you previously, I am unable to be your counsellor. If you would like to discuss this with me then please do not hesitate to get in touch. In the event that I am unable to be your counsellor I will work with you to try to find a suitable alternative.

Counselling usually takes place within a one-to-one relationship. If you feel that you would need someone to accompany you please get in touch to discuss this further.

I am unable to provide online therapy if you live outside of the UK.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”

Carl Rogers

“One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious. The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely. Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakes.”

Carl Jung

“To be of assistance to you I will put aside myself….and enter into your world of perception as completely as I am able. I will become, in a sense, another self for you – an alter ego of your own attitudes and feelings – a safe opportunity for you to discern yourself more clearly, to experience yourself more truly and deeply, to choose more significantly.”

Carl Rogers

Compassionate Counselling for the Veterinary Community