About me

I’m Kat Friel (she/they), a BACP registered counsellor offering online therapy for adults across the UK.

I work with people who are trying to understand themselves more deeply — their emotions, relationships, identity and the experiences that have shaped them.

I have a particular interest in supporting LGBTQ+ clients, trans and gender-diverse people, neurodivergent adults and people exploring questions around identity, belonging and relationships.

My background

Before becoming a counsellor, I spent around 20 years working in communications and media relations, including roles supporting healthcare and higher education organisations.

Through this work, I became increasingly interested in mental health and the wider factors that influence how people experience the world.

I was drawn to counselling because I wanted to work more directly with people and support them in understanding themselves, their relationships and their experiences.

My previous career also gave me insight into the pressures many people experience around achievement, expectations, work and trying to balance personal wellbeing with everyday demands.

I have experience supporting clients with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, neurodivergence and addiction.

I have volunteered as a counsellor with Murray’s Initiative (formerly Glasgow Council on Alcohol) and Trauma Healing Together in Perth, supporting people with a range of experiences including trauma, emotional difficulties and substance use.

Qualifications and training

I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

My qualifications and training include:

  • Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (COSCA)

  • MSc Psychological Studies, University of Glasgow

  • Certificate in Working Alongside Trans, Gender Diverse and Questioning People (Gendered Intelligence)

  • Certificate in Sandwork (Essential Training Associates Ltd.)

  • The Atholl Approach: Working with Trauma (Trauma Healing Together)

  • Certificate in Counselling People Towards Behaviour Change (Murray’s Initiative formerly Glasgow Council on Alcohol)

My values

I aim to offer therapy that is inclusive, thoughtful and grounded in respect for each person’s individual experience.

My practice is:

  • LGBTQ+ inclusive and queer-affirming

  • welcoming of trans and gender-diverse clients

  • neurodiversity-aware and disability-affirming

  • supportive of diverse relationships and identities

  • sex-positive and kink-aware

  • informed by awareness of inequality, discrimination and social context

I believe people’s struggles often make sense when we understand the experiences, relationships and circumstances that shaped them.