Kay Holdsworth, BACP
Counsellor supporting women through life change
- Stress and anxiety support
- Practical tools and strategies
- Evening appointments available
About Kay Holdsworth
Kay Holdsworth is a UK-based counsellor, psychotherapist and coach who works predominantly with women seeking practical change and improved wellbeing. She focuses on helping clients manage stress, anxiety, low mood, motivation difficulties and other life challenges by equipping them with tools and strategies to support their own mental health and daily functioning. Kay supports people who feel stuck or overwhelmed and helps them regain self-trust, calm and a clearer sense of direction.
Her practice often combines creative and experiential ways of working alongside structured therapeutic techniques. She draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, guided relaxations and writing-based methods, and will introduce exercises like breathing practices or visualisations when these feel helpful for a client. Kay commonly offers practical tasks and experiments between sessions and encourages reflective activities such as journaling to consolidate change outside of appointments.
Kay qualified with a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2017 on an integrative and relational course. She has completed Solution Focused training in September 2021 with ACPT and a Creative Counselling qualification in 2023. She is affiliated with BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.
Her experience includes working as a Student Counsellor for a Leeds university three days a week and prior work as a Wellbeing Practitioner at the same university for over four years. She has delivered more than forty community wellbeing courses, including multiweek mindfulness and relaxation programmes and led a mental health drop-in group called Peaceful Minds from 2018 to 2020. She offers appointments on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.
Her practice often combines creative and experiential ways of working alongside structured therapeutic techniques. She draws on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness, guided relaxations and writing-based methods, and will introduce exercises like breathing practices or visualisations when these feel helpful for a client. Kay commonly offers practical tasks and experiments between sessions and encourages reflective activities such as journaling to consolidate change outside of appointments.
Kay qualified with a Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2017 on an integrative and relational course. She has completed Solution Focused training in September 2021 with ACPT and a Creative Counselling qualification in 2023. She is affiliated with BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.
Her experience includes working as a Student Counsellor for a Leeds university three days a week and prior work as a Wellbeing Practitioner at the same university for over four years. She has delivered more than forty community wellbeing courses, including multiweek mindfulness and relaxation programmes and led a mental health drop-in group called Peaceful Minds from 2018 to 2020. She offers appointments on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesControl issuesDivorce and separationEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Hypnotherapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Kay Holdsworth have?
Kay Holdsworth has 5 years of experience.
Is Kay Holdsworth a registered therapist?
Yes. She holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
In which languages does Kay Holdsworth provide therapy?
Kay provides therapy in English.
Where is Kay Holdsworth located?
Kay is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Kay Holdsworth as my therapist?
You can work with Kay through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Kay Holdsworth work with international clients?
Yes, Kay works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Kay Holdsworth cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches for online support
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and develop practical ways to act in line with those values while managing difficult thoughts and feelings. It can be useful for issues such as anxiety, low mood and problems with motivation.Client-Centered Therapy emphasises a compassionate, non-judgemental relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and follows the client’s pace. This approach supports self-exploration, improving self-esteem and finding personal direction during life transitions.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns. It offers structured techniques to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression and to build coping skills for everyday challenges.
Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process and Kay works collaboratively with clients to tailor methods to their needs, goals and preferences. She combines conversational work, practical exercises and creative techniques when appropriate so clients can try different tools and decide what helps them most.
Online therapy with Kay is available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for busy schedules and people living in different locations. These options make it easier to fit therapy into evening routines or to maintain continuity of care when travel or other commitments make in-person appointments difficult.