Hi, I'm Kellie
Choosing a counsellor can feel like a big decision. Qualifications and experience matter, but so does finding someone you feel comfortable talking to. Therapy works best when you feel able to be yourself, so I thought it might help to tell you a little about me and how I came to this work.
How I came to counselling
For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by how people think—what shapes us, what helps us cope, and why life can feel so much harder for some people than others.
I worked for nearly twenty years in one of the UK's largest mental health charities, where I developed a deep understanding of both the mental health system and the challenges people often face in trying to access the right support.
Alongside my work, I studied Psychology with the Open University, graduating with a BSc (Hons) in 2014. I then completed a BACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling and gained a Foundation Degree (FdA) in Counselling through Middlesex University.
A growing interest in neurodivergence
Over several years of reading, learning and personal reflection, I began to understand much more about autism, ADHD and the many different ways people experience and make sense of the world. It also became clear just how many neurodivergent people were already part of my life.
That personal journey naturally became part of my professional one. Today, I have a particular interest in working with autistic and ADHD adults, including people who are diagnosed, self-identify or are simply beginning to wonder whether neurodivergence might explain experiences they've never quite been able to put into words.
I aim to offer a genuinely neuro-affirming space where differences are understood, respected and never treated as something that needs to be fixed.
How I work
No two people experience life in exactly the same way, so I don't believe therapy should follow a rigid formula. My approach is person-centred, collaborative and grounded in the belief that therapy should adapt to the individual — not the other way around.
I understand that traditional ideas of therapy do not work for everyone. Some people need space to reflect deeply, whilst others benefit from a more practical and grounded approach. Some clients prefer structure and clarity, whilst others need room simply to think out loud without pressure.
Some people come wanting to make sense of lifelong patterns. Others arrive because burnout, anxiety, a major life change or simply having enough breathing space has brought things into focus. Whatever has brought you here, you're welcome exactly as you are.
Sometimes we'll sit with uncertainty. Sometimes we'll reflect, laugh, notice patterns or untangle complicated thoughts. Sessions move at your pace, and there's space for silence as well as conversation.
Professional membership and development
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
Regular Continuing Professional Development, with a particular focus on neurodivergence, autism and ADHD
Qualifications
BACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling
Foundation Degree (FdA) in Counselling – Middlesex University
BSc (Hons) Psychology – Open University
Kellie Bannister, FdA, BSc (Hons), MBACP
Counselling online throughout the UK, and in East London
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