CAITLIN BUCKLER COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY

A calm space to be heard

A woman with blonde hair smiling outdoors, with greenery and umbrellas in the background.

“Gather up your pieces,

however few and far apart.

It doesn’t have to be perfect.

It only has to be a place to start”.

‘Whitney Hanson’

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‍ABOUT ME

Before training as a Counsellor I spent years working in London as an Art Director and Copywriter in the fast-paced creative world of advertising. It was an exciting time but the demands were high and the work/life balance was a constant challenge.

Over time the pressures and stress began to take their toll on my own wellbeing. This prompted me to explore ways of looking after myself and eventually led me towards a completely different career in the wellbeing industry. For the past 25 years, I have worked as a Somatic Therapist, Mindfulness Teacher, Creative Therapist, Sound Bath Practitioner and workshop facilitator.

Over the years, I became increasingly fascinated by the mind-body connection and the ways I saw this relationship showing up in my therapy room. I wanted to explore this more deeply and develop my understanding of both myself and the people I worked with. This led me to complete a Certificate in Counselling, volunteer as a Samaritans Listener and Leader, and ultimately embark on a Master's degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

As part of my five years of counselling training, I was required to be in continuous personal therapy. This became one of the most transformative aspects of my training. Through the therapeutic relationship, I developed a much deeper understanding of myself and experienced first-hand how counselling can create meaningful and lasting change. This experience strengthened my desire to offer others the same kind of safe, supportive space that had been so valuable to me.

I am a Relational, Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, which means I draw on a range of therapeutic theories, approaches and creative ways of working, adapting my practice to you as an individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirmative and inclusive of diverse identities, backgrounds and experiences. I work with people exploring identity and life changes, neurodivergence, high sensitivity and the many different experiences that can shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.

The relationship we build together is at the heart of my work. I believe that feeling safe, heard, accepted and understood can create the foundation for exploring the things that may be difficult to face alone.

My creative background also gives me additional ways of working when words don't always feel enough. Sometimes thoughts, feelings or experiences can be difficult to put into words, and creative approaches can provide another way to explore and express what is happening beneath the surface.

Growing up as a Third Culture Kid — someone who grows up across or between different cultures, together with my lifelong love of travel, has given me a broad and open-minded perspective. It has also given me a genuine appreciation for different cultures, backgrounds and ways of experiencing the world.

I have clinical experience supporting clients through: (But not limited to)

  • Trauma and the impact of traumatic experiences

  • Childhood sexual abuse and sexual abuse

  • Domestic abuse

  • ADHD, AuDHD, autism, OCD and dyslexia

  • Identity and life transitions

  • Anxiety, stress and depression

  • Grief and loss

  • Fertility difficulties and baby loss

  • Parenting struggles

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Menopause and perimenopause

  • Low self-esteem

  • Bipolar disorder

  • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

  • Sexuality and intimacy

My recent research has also explored the impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse, which has deepened my understanding of trauma, memory, embodiment, identity and the ways experiences can continue to affect us long after they have happened.

WORKING WITH ME

Starting therapy can feel daunting, not knowing where to start, what to bring and being unsure of how it will be received. You may have spent years adapting, masking, people-pleasing or trying to be who you think you're supposed to be. Therapy can be a place to pause and ask: Who am I underneath all of that? It can also be an invaluable place to experience new ways of being and bring about change that may previously have felt impossible.

I aim to offer a calm, inclusive environment where you can think and feel without having to manage how you come across. You may not even know what is wrong, and that's ok too. I want therapy to feel like a space where you don't have to have all the answers or have everything figured out before you arrive. You can come exactly as you are.

I won't tell you what you should think or feel, or expect you to follow a particular path. Instead, we will work together to understand what is happening for you, at a pace that feels manageable and safe.

As a trauma-informed and somatically aware therapist, I pay attention not only to what you are thinking and saying, but also to what may be happening in your body and nervous system. Sometimes your body can tell us something before you have the words for it.

There may be times when talking is exactly what you need, and other times when a creative approach, mindfulness or simply sitting with something together feels more helpful. I will offer possibilities, but you remain in charge of what feels right for you.

People come to me with a wide range of experiences. Some are Neurodivergent, feeling overwhelmed, navigating life transitions such as bereavement, menopause/peri-menopause, children leaving home, changing jobs, divorce, fertility, relationships, baby loss, questioning their identity, gender, and sexuality. You may be wanting a deeper understanding of being neurodivergent.

Finding someone you feel comfortable with is the first step, which is why I offer a free 30-minute call. My approach is to be very down to earth with the aim to create a non-judgemental, inclusive space.

Sometimes, simply having some space to pause and breathe can help us think more clearly. From there, we can begin to gently unpack whatever is causing you distress and explore what might help you move forward.

WORKSHOPS . TALKS . NEURODIVERGENT SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE. CREATIVE COUNSELLING & CREATIVE JOURNALING

With a background in the fast-paced world of advertising in London and over 25 years’ of experience in the wellbeing industry, I have a deep understanding of the stress and demands in the workplace, as well as the impact of stress on our minds and bodies. Having navigated both the corporate world and life with ADHD/AuDHD, I also empathise with the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. In addition, I have collaborated with university research departments to help create valuable research outcomes, including my own research paper on the impact of child sexual abuse. Whether you're looking for a workshop, talk or tailored support, I can work with you to create something meaningful, engaging and relevant to your organisation.

WORKSHOPS

I have over 25 years of experience as a group facilitator, leading support groups for individuals of all ages. Additionally, I have developed customised workshops to cater to the needs of diverse businesses, educational settings, charities and mental health organisations.

NEURODIVERGENT SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE

Having navigated the corporate world aswell as life with ADHD/AuDHD, I understand some of the challenges neurodivergent people can experience in the workplace. I can offer support to help organisations better understand neurodivergent needs and create a more inclusive, neuro-affirming working environment. Sessions can explore topics such as communication, sensory needs, masking, burnout, reasonable adjustments, self-understanding and supporting neurodivergent colleagues.

TALKS

My talks are designed to open up conversations, challenge assumptions and offer a different way of thinking about ourselves and each other. I’m able to create a talk around the individual needs of your business.

CREATIVE COUNSELLING & CREATIVE JOURNALING

I’m a member of the Creative Counsellors and believe creativity can be a really powerful tool in the therapy space to help express when words are difficult to find and an alternative way of processing feelings and gaining clarity. Creative Counselling & Creative Journaling can be really useful when words alone don’t quite capture what’s going on. You don’t have to be "good at art”, or consider yourself creative. The activity is simply another way of exploring thoughts, feelings and experiences. Creative approaches can be particularly helpful when exploring overwhelming emotions, identity, trauma and difficult experiences, as well as working with neurodivergent clients or when someone feels stuck and is trying to making sense of change.