Hello, I’m Catherine. I want to acknowledge that reaching out for support is not easy. Whether you’re struggling, feeling the weight of a changing world, or simply seeking new ways to grow. Whatever brings you here, you’re warmly welcome.
You may be navigating grief, anxiety, chronic illness, trauma, family issues, self-esteem struggles, or simply trying to find your footing in a world that feels heavy or uncertain. I offer a space where you can slow down, breathe, and feel supported. A space to talk things through, challenge yourself, and find the path that feels right for you.
Together, we’ll shape a way forward that honours your experience and helps you feel more connected, to yourself, to others, and to life.
What We Can Work On Together
- Times of grief, loss, or emotional overwhelm
- Navigating anxiety, low mood, or trauma
- Living with chronic illness or health challenges
- Relationship shifts and family dynamics
- Climate anxiety and ecological grief
- Life transitions and identity changes
- Reconnecting with your inner rhythm and values
- Growing into a life that feels rooted, resilient, and meaningful
How I Work
As a Nature-Oriented Counselling Psychotherapist, my approach is relational, body-aware, and trauma-informed. I often work outdoors, where the living world around us can become part of the therapeutic process. But this isn’t a requirement, nature is always with us, and we can bring its presence into the room if and when that feels right for you.
At the heart of this work is relationship. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation, it happens in connection. I offer a therapeutic space grounded in trust, warmth, and collaboration. You don’t need to show up as anything other than yourself. Together, we’ll shape a way of working that feels safe, attuned to your needs, and supports your growth.
I draw from a range of practices, including:
- Nature connection and eco-therapy
- Holistic approaches that honour body, mind, and environment
- Mindfulness and compassion-based practices
- Creative and expressive tools
I understand how exhausting and isolating it can be to live with chronic illness or ongoing mental health challenges. My approach is flexible and responsive, whether that means adapting sessions to meet your energy levels, exploring the emotional impact of illness, or simply offering a space where your experience is held with care and respect. If you need any adaptations to make our sessions more accessible, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
Where and When Can We Meet
As well as working from the comfortable rooms at Matlock Therapy Centre, I offer nature-based sessions at:
- Black Rocks, Matlock – a striking gritstone outcrop surrounded by woodland and moorland, known for its stunning views, rich climbing history, and diverse opportunities to connect with nature.
- Allestree Park, Derby – a beautiful green space on the edge of the city, home to Britain’s largest urban rewilding project.
You can also choose online sessions – from wherever you feel most at ease.
Sessions are usually held weekly and last around an hour, creating a steady rhythm of support and space to explore what matters to you. I understand that life and health can be unpredictable, so I offer flexibility where needed. Together, we’ll find a pace and structure that feels manageable and nourishing.
I also offer a free 20–30 minute initial chat, online or by phone, so you can get a sense of how I work and whether it feels like a good fit
Interested in Working Together?
You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just drop me a message. We’ll take it from there, step by step, in connection with yourself and the world around you.
Why Try Taking Therapy Outdoors?
Taking therapy outdoors isn’t about using nature to feel better, though many people do find comfort and clarity in natural spaces. It’s about remembering we are part of something greater.
We’re not separate from nature; we’re part of it. The land, the seasons, the more-than-human world, they’re not just a backdrop to our lives, they’re part of our story.
Nature can offer meaning, challenge, perspective, and a relationship that invites us to listen more deeply. Whether we’re walking through the woods, working with natural objects, or processing grief for our world, we’re entering into a shared process, one where healing can unfold in connection, not isolation.
You don’t need to have a special bond with nature. Just a willingness to be curious, to notice, and to explore what feels right for you.
Ecological Grief & Care for the Earth
Many people are feeling a quiet ache, or a loud grief, for the damage being done to our planet. This grief is not a pathology, but a sign of deep connection and care. In my practice, I honour ecological grief as a valid and meaningful response to living in a time of environmental crisis.
Together, we can explore how this grief shows up in your life and how it might be held with compassion, creativity, and community.
This work is not about fixing everything. It’s about tending to what’s alive in you and finding ways to stay present, grounded, and engaged, even when the world feels heavy. It’s about remembering that care itself is a form of resistance, and that healing can happen in relationship, with ourselves, each other, and the more-than-human world.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am an accredited Integrative Counselling Psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience walking alongside people through life’s complexities in a variety of roles. My practice is rooted in relational, trauma-informed care, and shaped by decades of work across diverse roles and communities.
I’ve supported young people (13–25), adults, new parents, those navigating end-of-life transitions, individuals living with addiction, and activists facing burnout or despair. Whether in moments of grief, transformation, or quiet renewal, I offer a steady presence and collaborative space to explore, heal, and grow.
My work is shaped by a deep curiosity about humankind and my own lived experiences—grief, motherhood, chronic illness, and a growing awareness of the often oppressive systems we all navigate. I hold deep gratitude for the natural world and the healing I’ve found through reconnecting with it.
I also work with the Climate Psychology Alliance and Parents for Future, delivering Climate Circles, training facilitators, and supporting parents involved in activism.
Catherine Burton
Phoenix Nature
Therapy & care for a fractured world
Contact number: 07471 201014
email:
