My Background
Hi, I’m Kayleigh, a BACP registered counsellor based in Bristol. I offer a supportive, down to earth space where both professional experience and lived understanding inform the way I work with clients.
A Rewarding & Varied Career
For over a decade, I worked in education across further education and specialist settings, supporting people with a range of additional and emotional needs.
I valued the relationships I built during this time and the opportunity to work closely with individuals navigating a wide range of challenges. A large part of my role involved listening, adapting support to individual needs, and helping people feel understood and respected in environments that could sometimes feel overwhelming.
Why I became a therapist
Like many people, I've experienced periods in life where I felt anxious, exhausted and disconnected from myself. After more than a decade working in education, burnout and long COVID gave me the opportunity to pause and reflect on what mattered most. They reinforced something I'd always known, that supporting people through difficult times was where I felt most fulfilled.
Throughout my career in education, I developed a deep understanding of relationships, emotional wellbeing and the importance of feeling heard. Working alongside people through challenging experiences taught me the value of compassion, patience and genuine connection.
Training as a counsellor felt like a natural progression. Today, I combine my professional experience with therapeutic training to offer a calm, collaborative and non-judgemental space where clients can explore whatever they're facing at a pace that feels right for them.
My Experience, Training and current working partnerships
Experience
I have worked as a therapist with adults and young people in charities and educational settings, since beginning my training in 2021 and fully qualifying in 2024, supporting people from a wide variety of backgrounds through diverse experiences and challenges.
Alongside my private practice, I provide a young peoples counselling service ‘The Talking Zone’ in schools and privately, and am a qualified teacher with specialist experience supporting young people in alternative and SEND provisions, including those with autism, ADHD, and other learning or social-emotional needs. I draw from this experience in both my work with adults and young people, to provide therapy to those who may find it difficult to access support and understanding around mental health related to neurodivergence.
Training & Qualifications
BA in Counselling and Therapeutic Practice - First Class Honours - University of South Wales - 2024
Counselling and Listening Skills - Level 2
Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties - Level 2
Safeguarding Children & Adults - Level 2
Diploma in Education and Training - Level 5
Registered member of the BACP - 30 hours of CPD annually
1.5 hours of counselling supervision monthly
Enhanced DBS
Current Working Partnerships
THE TALKING ZONE
In partnership with:
KnowleDGE Academy - Academic year 22/23 - present
LPW Independent School - Academic year 24/25 - present
My previous roles have also included counselling with USW Therapy and teaching in alternative provisions, SEND schools and further education settings.
For more information, please see my LinkedIn profile.
Memberships & Accreditation
