Kate Silverton: From BBC News Presenter to Child Therapist

Few career changes capture the public imagination quite like leaving a BBC news desk for a therapist’s couch: Kate Silverton, once a familiar face on BBC News at One and BBC Weekend News, now works as a qualified child therapist – a shift that surprised many viewers. This article traces how and why she made that move, what she’s doing now, and what her story reveals about following a long-held passion.

Born: 4 August 1970 ·
Former role: BBC News presenter ·
Current profession: Child therapist ·
Books: 2 Sunday Times bestsellers ·
Children: 2 ·
Education: Psychology degree, Durham University

Six key facts about Kate Silverton, one pattern: her journey from broadcaster to therapist is grounded in academic roots in psychology and a personal drive to help children.

What has happened to Kate Silverton?

Career transition from BBC to therapy

• Kate Silverton left her job as a BBC News presenter in 2021 to train as a child therapist, describing it as her “life’s passion” (Wikipedia).
• She had studied psychology at Durham University in the 1990s, so the move reconnected her with her academic background (Manchester Metropolitan University).
• After qualifying, she began working in a primary school supporting children with complex needs (Wikipedia).

Recent public appearances and media

• In 2025, Silverton continues to speak at events about children’s behaviour and mental health (Manchester Metropolitan University).
• She has given interviews to outlets like The Independent, opening up about swapping her news career for therapy (The Independent).
• Her books have kept her in the public eye as a bestselling author.

Bottom line: Silverton’s career change is authentic: she left a high-profile BBC role to retrain, now works directly with children, and has used her own life story to fuel her mission.

The pattern: Silverton’s career change was not impulsive but a planned return to her academic roots.

Who is Kate Silverton?

Early life and education

• Born on 4 August 1970 in Essex, England (Wikipedia).
• Grew up in Chigwell and attended West Hatch High School (Wikipedia).
• Studied psychology at Durham University, graduating in the 1990s (Manchester Metropolitan University).

BBC News career highlights

• Silverton worked at the BBC from 2000 to 2021, presenting BBC News at One, BBC News at Six, and BBC Weekend News (Wikipedia).
• She also reported on major stories including royal events and elections.

Strictly Come Dancing participation

• In 2018, Silverton competed in Series 16 of Strictly Come Dancing (Wikipedia).
• She finished 8th place with her professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec.

Bottom line: Silverton’s BBC career spanned two decades and included a dance-floor detour that made her a household name. But her academic roots in psychology were always present.

What this means: Silverton’s public persona as a broadcaster was only one chapter; her deeper identity is grounded in psychology.

What happened to Kate Silverton as a child?

Family background

• Silverton grew up in a family with a younger sister (Wikipedia).
• She has spoken about experiencing childhood trauma that she later addressed through therapy.

Schooling and early interests

• Attended West Hatch High School in Chigwell, Essex (Wikipedia).
• Developed an early interest in psychology, which led her to Durham University.

The pattern: her interest in the mind was not a late-life discovery; it was there from school days, interrupted by journalism, then reclaimed.

Who does Kate Silverton work for?

Current role as child therapist

• Silverton now works as a child therapist in a primary school, supporting children with complex needs (Wikipedia).
• She also runs a private practice, though specific location details are not public.

Previous employer BBC

• Employed by the British Broadcasting Corporation as a news presenter from 2000–2021 (BBC – domain referenced, specific article not provided).

Affiliations with Law Society of Scotland

• The content plan mentions an affiliation; research notes indicate she is a member of the Law Society of Scotland, but no direct source is available. Editor’s note: This claim could not be independently verified from the provided research.

The catch: Silverton’s move from public to behind-the-scenes work shows that fulfillment often comes from less visible roles.

Where does Kate Silverton live now?

Current residence

• Lives in London with her husband and two children (Wikipedia).
• Previously lived in Essex before moving to the capital.

Family life

• Married to Mike Thompson, a marketing executive (Wikipedia).
• They have two children: a son (born 2015) and a daughter (born 2017).

The implication: Her family life is stable, allowing her to focus on her therapy practice.

The implication: Silverton’s story is not just about changing jobs; it’s about following a calling rooted in personal experience and academic training. For those considering a similar move from a high-pressure career to a helping profession, her trajectory offers a genuine blueprint. The trade-off was leaving a public platform for a quieter, but deeply rewarding, role. Silverton’s story shows that retraining is possible and the personal cost can be outweighed by the impact on others.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Lisa Tarbuck: Why She Left BBC Radio 2 · Sarah Greene: Husband, Children, and New Partner (2025)