Before you consider counselling with me, I completely understand you’d want to know a little more about who I am. Especially, my route to qualifying as a self-esteem counsellor, how I can help you, and what attracted me to specialise in low self-esteem.
I live in St Albans with my partner and our boisterous son, who’s always a bundle of energy and chaos. Prior to working in mental health I spent some fruitless, yet occasionally fun, years working in marketing and communications.
If I have any spare time, I enjoy eating cheese and browsing clothes I can barely afford on Vinted and Vestiaire. Lately, I’ve also been thinking of tiramisu a lot too. Should I manage to leave St Albans, then it would usually be for the beach and some 80s music and sunshine – my tastes don’t run to sophisticated.
I really love what I do. Occasionally people ask whether I find it depressing or lonely working as a self-esteem counsellor. And I can honestly say no, never. Quite the opposite. Seeing a client go from confused, low on self-worth and struggling with confidence to feeling content, focused and ready for the future, really is one of the most fulfilling experiences, ever.
Why I specialise in low self-esteem
About 5 years ago, I had an a-ha moment that shaped the heart of my practice. I noticed a common thread among many of the women I worked with: a deep sense of not feeling ‘enough’. Not attractive enough, not worthy enough and not intelligent enough. These feelings of low self-worth weren’t just a wobble – they were quietly shaping their lives. Either holding them back from going for what they wanted, or pushing them to live in ways that pleased other rather than themselves.
That insight led me to focus my work on self-esteem. The good news is that low self-esteem responds well to therapy. And there’s no bad news. Time and again, I’ve seen women grow in self-confidence, develop self-compassion, and begin to feel truly at ease in their own skin. Watching this transformation, seeing my clients blossom, is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding parts of my job – and it’s why I continue to do this work with such passion and commitment.
Professional qualifications in counselling and self esteem
My journey into counselling began over 20 years ago when I started volunteering with the Samaritans. That early experience sparked a lifelong interest in emotional wellbeing and coincided with me earning a BSc in Psychology and Women’s Studies. I later completed a Diploma in Integrative Counselling, became a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), and achieved my NHS Counselling for Depression award.
To deepen my expertise in self-esteem, I’ve trained with Dr Kristin Neff – an internationally recognised leader in self-compassion, research and practice. Currently I’m completing my Trauma Informed Counselling Certificate with the Open University, so I can continue to expand my knowledge and work in a sensitive way with complex low self-esteem. Over the years, I’ve worked with a range of wonderful organisations including Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead, Mind in Mid Herts and the NHS.
Alongside my client work, I also enjoy writing about mental health. My articles have appeared in Psychologies, Women’s Health, Optimum Nutrition, and more. Writing helps me share the insights I’ve learned with a wider audience – and continue the conversation about emotional wellbeing, beyond the therapy room.
Kink Allied
