Kat Hurst, BACP

Kat Hurst is an anxiety- and trauma-focused therapist and clinical supervisor who works from a gendered perspective with women and girls and those who identify as female, aged 14 and above. She offers specialist support for people who have experienced trauma or abuse - including physical, sexual, psychological abuse and neglect - and for a range of anxiety-related concerns such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem and mood difficulties.

Working in an integrative and phased way, Kat draws on a range of evidence-informed methods to personalise care. She practices as an Integrative Relational therapist and uses techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), existential and other humanistic approaches to meet each person’s needs. Sessions are collaborative and non-judgemental, paced to what feels manageable, and designed to promote self-awareness, insight and lasting personal change.

Prior to qualifying as a therapist, Kat gained extensive experience in mental health hospitals supporting adolescents and adults with eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, rumination disorder and orthorexia. She continues to work with female clients experiencing disordered eating and recommends that anyone seeking support for an eating disorder remain under the care of a GP or other medical professional because of associated physical risks.

Kat holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and centres empowerment as a core principle in her work, helping clients move forward after trauma and distress.

Evidence-informed approaches for online trauma and anxiety care

Kat uses an integrative relational approach that combines interpersonal understanding with practical techniques - this means she explores how relationships and past experiences shape current feelings and behaviours while working collaboratively to identify changes that feel possible and meaningful. Integrative relational work is helpful for attachment difficulties, abandonment concerns and ongoing relational distress.

Kat also uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a focused, skills-based approach that helps people recognise and change patterns of thinking and behaviour that maintain anxiety, panic and low mood. CBT is often effective for panic attacks, social anxiety and generalized anxiety by providing clear strategies to manage symptoms.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kat works with clients to decide which methods fit best with their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting pace and focus as trust and insight develop in the work together.

Online therapy with Kat is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, making it easier to access support from home or elsewhere. These options provide flexibility around scheduling, reduce travel time and allow people to choose the communication style that feels most comfortable for them while working with a registered professional.