Counselling helps Katie build her psychological armour

October 28, 2025

Every day, 39 year old Katie sets several alarms on her phone with positive affirmations. “At 9am, the alarm will go off and read, ‘You’ll be OK,’ and then at 10am it might say, ‘I am in control,” Katie says. “I also have a gratitude journal and many sensory items that I use when I can feel the anxiety creeping in.”

As Katie grapples with the effects of prolonged domestic violence and ongoing challenges with the perpetrator, her counselling sessions at CatholicCare have given her the confidence, the motivation and the insight to prioritise her wellbeing.

For many years, Katie was subject to various forms of coercive control from her ex-partner. As his controlling behaviours escalated, Katie experienced a loss of confidence, habitual self-doubt and the sense that she was always walking on eggshells. She also experienced chronic anxiety and the feeling that she was worthless and powerless. Throughout all of this, Katie raised five children, four of whom have mental health issues and are neurodiverse.

Katie approached CatholicCare for help when she first left her partner. “We had just split up and I knew that I needed extra help. Initially I was thinking of mediation, but it soon became clear that what I really needed was to work on myself. Being able to talk and have someone provide me with not only a listening ear, but also different strategies has been so helpful. Learning how to process my thoughts through mind mapping has been massive for me.”

CatholicCare Counsellor, Peter has journeyed with Katie and witnessed her growth in self-awareness, self-esteem and self-love. “Katie’s situation hasn’t changed a lot,” Peter explains. “Her ex-partner has left the home, but he is still in her life. Despite the circumstances, Katie’s dedication to her own growth is to be admired. Her success is largely due to the amount of work that she has done outside of her counselling sessions. As the counsellor, I have provided support and Katie has put the work in.”

Peter has helped her develop a psychological armour amid the storm. Everything has been for protection.

Katie says that before receiving counselling support from CatholicCare she would have given up and fallen into a heap if a strategy didn’t work. Katie now has a wealth of tried and tested strategies, and she continues to build her psychological armour.

Today, Katie is firmly on the path of rebuilding her  confident, independent and empowered self, and there has been a flow on effect to her children. “I love teaching my daughter the strategies I’ve learnt, and we practice them together,” Katie says. “Things are still hard, but I am moving forward and I am proud of where I am today.”