Real-life 9 to 5s: Spotlight on Catherine Neil

What is your job?

I am a Human Givens Psychotherapist. 

Tell me a little about what that entails day-to-day?

I run my own private counselling practice from home. My therapy room is a comfortable garden room. I see people from all walks of life who are experiencing challenges that are causing them distress and compromising their mental health. I have a particular interest in the perinatal period — that is, the time before, during and after the birth of a baby, when parents may struggle with difficult experiences or trauma. However, I see people of any age or gender who seek my help as a therapist.

How did you get into it?

It is something my career has evolved into. My most recent role before this was supporting parents as a Postnatal Practitioner through the National Childbirth Trust and in the neonatal unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Through training, study and finding the excellent Human Givens Institute, my career took a slightly different path down the mental health route.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

Meeting people. Helping people. Seeing a client who is really in a lot of pain and struggling a great deal, then finding a way, through our work together, to meet their emotional needs and give them hope for their future.

What qualities or personality traits do you have that you think make you successful in your role?

I’m a good listener — you have to be able to listen and really get to the crux of the matter. I also pride myself on being able to establish rapport quickly so that the client feels secure and able to open up in a situation that might feel challenging or deeply private.

I keep up-to-date with mental health research, which is really important. I have to be reflective — thinking about how I can improve my own practice as well as how I can help people in different ways. Everyone who walks through my door comes with something unique to them to discuss with me, so it’s important to be adaptable and flexible.

Do you have any tips for people who might like to do something similar?

Live life to the full. Maintain your own mental health so you are able to support others as they seek their own better mental health. Start listening — really listening — to what a person is saying to you. And if you wish to start the process of qualifying as a counsellor or psychotherapist, be prepared for a lot of work and a lot of personal growth.

If given the chance to do musical theatre for a living instead, would you take it?

No! It’s a fantastic hobby. It’s incredibly fun, satisfying, purposeful and enjoyable, but I love my actual job and wouldn’t want to turn this wonderful pastime into a career. I like to keep it light and look forward to rehearsals and performances greatly.