Katharine Owen Counselling Service

29/07/2025

There is this common misconception that people “on the spectrum”, especially children, lack the emotional intelligence for empathy. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and I honestly believe t…

17/07/2025

Introducing Our Founders: Angela Atack and Ann-Marie James

Meet Angela Atack and Ann-Marie James, co-directors and founders of Mind Garden Therapy in Reading, UK. With over 50 years of combined experience, they established our centre to create a dedicated space for counselling and psychotherapy—a calm, purpose-built environment for clients and a supportive, collaborative community for therapists.

Interested in working at Mind Garden? We currently need in-person couples therapists, fully qualified or near to it, working from a relational and/or psychodynamic approach.

31/03/2025

As a therapist, I have seen the profound impact creativity can have on mental health. Engaging in creative activities—whether through art, music, movement, or journaling—offers a way to process emotions, reduce stress, and build self-awareness. These activities are not only … Continue reading ...

30/03/2025

If today feels heavy, please know you don't have to face it alone. Whatever today brings up for you, we're here to listen day or night on 116 123 📱

30/03/2025

Very useful Information, which one do you connect with

Useful! I personally fawn too much...

30/03/2025

Imagine going into a shop and being refused service or trying to buy online for no other reason than your personal circumstances. This type of thing was commonplace 50 or 60 years ago and, for some, it was their active policy to exclude people “No Irish, No Black, No Dogs” but if that were to happen today then you would rightly so scream blue murder.

But what if I were to say that it does happen?

There are no signs on doors or blockers on websites, quite the opposite – there are ever-inclusive signs drawing you in like “Assistance dogs welcome” or “Purple Tuesday advocate”. If only it were as simple as putting a sign on your door but so many practices and designs exclude the 1 in 4 adults with a disability. Next time you need to enter your PIN and they present you with a sleek, flat touch-screen machine, close your eyes and see how long it take you to go rooting for another card or your phone that you can tap on the top instead.

But what happens if you don’t have that option?

In this latest musing, I discuss the sad reality that is exclusion by design and how that leads to discrimination by omission. You can read more here or by clicking on the link in my bio:

https://blindmanwithabackpack.uk/2025/03/29/excluded-by-design/


A finger touching a button on a screen that says “proceed to checkout” below another button that reads “Add to cart”. Text reads “Musings from a blind man: Excluded by design”

24/03/2025

18/03/2025

Welcome to The Studio, Mind Garden Therapy’s new flexible therapy room in Reading. The new therapy room is situated on the University of Reading’s London Road campus, a calm oasis in the centre of a bustling town. The room itself … Continue reading →

18/03/2025

Yes, even you!

02/04/2024

Each year on 2nd April, BAPT takes the opportunity to raise awareness of Autism.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect a person's ability to communicate, socialise, and interact with the world. Every autistic person is different and the condition may affect them differently.

Strengths which some autistic people may display are attention to detail, visual perception, creative and artistic talents, mathematical and technical abilities., interests or expertise in ‘niche’ areas, character strengths such as honesty and loyalty.

Despite the difficulties that autistic adults and children experience daily, we should also remember to celebrate their strengths, and support them to navigate their way through life.