KR Portrait of Kathleen Rao

Kathleen Rao, BACP

Warm, practical counselling for anxiety and stress

3 years in practice · based in United Kingdom · sessions in English · online sessions

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About Kathleen

Kathleen Rao is a BACP counsellor who helps people make sense of anxiety, stress and loss. She offers a calm, steady presence and works to build trust so people feel comfortable talking about hard things. Kathleen believes the person in the room knows themselves best.

Her role is to listen, reflect and help people notice patterns that keep them stuck. She aims to be warm and empathic, and to meet people person to person during sessions.

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Background and approach

She uses an integrative approach, drawing on different therapeutic models depending on what each person brings. That means sessions can be practical one week and more exploratory the next. Kathleen has a particular interest in grief, including complex grief, and in perinatal and postnatal health concerns.

She also supports people coping with long-term health conditions, burnout, and issues linked to parenting and family life. Other areas she works with include mood difficulties, panic and phobias, and the challenges of caregiving. Kathleen trained and practised in the United Kingdom and brings three years of direct therapy experience to her practice.

She is an insured member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, abbreviated BACP. Her background includes a decade of wider mental health work within the NHS, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

How therapeutic approaches meet online care

Kathleen commonly uses a mix of evidence-based techniques tailored to each person. One approachable method focuses on tracking thoughts and behaviours to reduce anxiety and panic; it helps people notice unhelpful thinking and try small, manageable changes. Another approach centres on working through grief and loss in stages so emotions can be understood and processed at a steady pace.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options with the client, listen to their goals and try different ways of working to see what fits best. Together they decide whether to focus on practical skills, deeper reflection, or a combination of both.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging, which make therapy more flexible. Video allows face-to-face contact, phone can be used when bandwidth is limited, live chat suits shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options help people fit therapy into busy lives and access support from wherever they are in the United Kingdom.
Explore online therapy options See what online therapy involves and what your next steps would be.

Questions people ask

What concerns does Kathleen commonly help with?
She works with people facing anxiety, stress, grief and depression, among other concerns. Her practice also covers perinatal issues, caregiving strain and long-term health challenges.
What is her style of therapy?
She uses an integrative, evidence-informed approach and adapts methods to each person's needs. Sessions can be practical or more reflective depending on what is helpful.
What experience does she bring?
She has three years of direct therapy experience and previously worked for ten years in NHS mental health roles. Her background includes work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
How is she credentialed and where is she based?
She is an insured member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, shown as BACP, and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What ways can I meet with her online?
Sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Different formats let people choose what fits their day and energy.
How do payments and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and is handled through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin therapy with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. You can then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Most often

Experience
3 years
Licensed
Languages
English

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