About Cath Townley

I am a qualified and experienced Counsellor, Integrative Psychotherapist (Transactional Analysis), Clinical Supervisor, Trainer, and a former Registered Nurse.  I work with individuals, couples and groups.

In my nursing career spanning over 30 years, I have worked both within the NHS and in private practice. I have also worked as a medical rehabilitation consultant, working with individuals who have sustained life changing injuries (both physical and psychological). This work has given me a wide range of experience working with people’s fears, dissatisfaction, non-acceptance of their bodies, and mistrust of themselves, others and the world. It is my interest in how patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving shape the recovery process that drove me to the study of psychotherapy. These patterns are usually rooted in the past but are replayed in the present and either keep people ‘stuck’ or propel a successful recovery.

I received my nursing qualification from Stockport, Tameside & Glossop School of Nursing and Manchester University in 1995. I subsequently received my psychotherapy training from the Manchester Institute for Psychotherapy under the expert guidance of Bob Cooke, world renowned international Relational Therapist, BA. PGCE. TSTA, Cert. Counselling UKCP Registered Psychotherapist.

As a Psychotherapist I work mainly using a relational approach, my main theoretical model being Transactional Analysis. I am also qualified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  I have worked as a volunteer counsellor for a national charity which was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

I am a registered and accredited member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). I work according to BACP and UKCP ethical frameworks. I have full professional indemnity insurance and an enhanced disclosure certificate (DBS).  I support my practice with regular self-development work including personal therapy, mandatory clinical supervision, and regular training and I also work as a trainer to individuals and organisations on many therapeutic topics. This means you can be assured that you will always be safe and well protected throughout our work together.

If you recognise any of the statements below then it is highly likely you will find therapy beneficial:

  • I am afraid of my feelings and I feel stuck
  • I seem to always end up losing relationships
  • I find it difficult to relate to people or to make friends
  • I feel I keep letting people down
  • I work so hard to please others and avoid conflict
  • I usually blame myself for relationship problems
  • I feel depressed or anxious
  • I have lost someone close to me and I can’t seem to function
  • I have experienced trauma, sexual abuse or rape
  • I find it difficult to relax or to stop worrying
  • I feel that my problem is not serious enough to ask for help
  • I always feel stressed and notice symptoms of physical tension
  • I notice that the same problem or pattern of behaviour keeps happening
  • I have experienced a recent life change which has put a strain on my relationship
  • I have an unhealthy relationship with food, sex, drugs or alcohol

Common Issues

  • Depression
  • Low self-esteem 
  • Anxiety
  • Anger & Stress
  • Grief & Bereavement
  • Relationship problems
  • Family & Childhood difficulties
  • Work related problems
  • Sexual abuse/Rape
  • Divorce or Separation
  • Addiction
  • Fears & Phobias
  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Shame
  • Obesity & Eating disorders
  • Uncertainties related to sexuality
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD)
  • Personality Disorder