Karen Clark
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hello and a warm welcome. As a fully qualified, accredited and experienced counsellor, I offer a gentle, safe, supportive counselling experience for adults of any age and for young people aged 11 yrs upwards. My sessions can be face to face outdoors as *Walk and Talk counselling (*please see below for further information) and I am pleased to also be offering indoor face to face sessions at my lovely new counselling room in Backwell from December 2021. I also offer sessions over the telephone or online.
I offer support with a wide range of concerns (listed below) and have extensive experience in working with issues impacting young people. My work with young people recognises the particular issues they may experience growing up, which can combine to make each young person's experience uniquely different and complex. I work with them to explore any feelings, thoughts, problems, situations, relationships etc. which may be troubling, worrying or upsetting for them, exploring with them ways to come to terms with, cope or resolve their difficulties.
Counselling is also offered for parents or carers who may feel in need of support with their children/teenagers or with older offspring, and in relation to family issues generally.
Neurodiversity is a particular interest of mine and I have experience with Autistic Spectrum conditions and also ADHD (diagnosed or non-diagnosed). I am also an LGBTQ+ affirmative counsellor.
You may not be sure what you wish to gain from counselling, or you may have clear goals in mind - whatever the reason for seeking support at this time, my aim is to engage with you towards a greater understanding of any worries or concerns you may bring to the counselling situation, however big or small. I see my role as being 'alongside' you, as together we explore and process difficult thoughts or feelings, unsettling, upsetting, traumatic or confusing experiences or events, difficult relationships, indeed whatever may have been troubling you. Together we will honour your existing strengths, experience and coping skills, as well as exploring new and perhaps more effective ways to support yourself going forward.
Finding a good fit with a counsellor is important, so it is worth taking time to find someone who feels right for you. I work in a relational way - this means that I consider the creation of trust and resilience within the therapeutic relationship to be of paramount importance and believe this can be a significant and dynamic tool, in itself, for healing. I offer a free initial conversation over the telephone to explore how we may work together, providing an opportunity for you to ask any questions about me as a counsellor and about the process of counselling. If you decide to work with me, I will review progress with you on a regular basis to identify what's helping and whether anything else needs to happen to improve your outcome.
My main counselling approach is Person-Centred, which means I am led by what the client brings, tailoring my approach to the needs of each individual. I also work in an integrative way, which means that I may draw on a range of theoretical and practical approaches, within my sphere of knowledge, to benefit our work together, for example ecotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, transactional analysis, mindfulness, creative approaches - whatever feels right for you. Whichever way we choose to work together, I will move at your pace, honouring current and past experiences, as feels right for you.
Depending on individual need, I can offer short or longer term counselling.
*Walk and Talk Counselling sessions: Since September 2020, I have been delighted to be able to offer counselling sessions outdoors in some beautiful locations in and around Backwell, Weston-super-Mare and Chew Magna. Working outdoors has become a real passion, with walking and talking combining the benefits of client and therapist being together face to face, with spending time in the natural environment. This way of working also allows for greater potential for safe social distancing, in these unusual times.
Being outdoors can itself be healing and contribute to wellbeing, with the natural and 'other-than-human' world often providing valuable and sometimes magical metaphors for our lives and experiences, which can feel deeply nurturing and enlightening. I incorporate counselling theory and skills into the process, allowing the same opportunities for exploration of thoughts, feelings and issues, for self-reflection and awareness, as would occur in a more traditional counselling setting. As with counselling occurring in other settings, the client sets the pace for the session.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling awarded by the University of Bristol
Additionally, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People awarded by the University of Wales, Newport.
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and also subscribe to BACP’s Counselling Children and Young People Division. I work within the BACP ethical framework and have regular supervision for my therapeutic work.
In addition to my initial training, I undertake regular Continuing Professional Development, which has included workshops/training on Autism Spectrum conditions, Transgender issues, Sleep difficulties, OCD, Trauma, Shame, Self Harm and Suicidality and more.
My experience as a counsellor has included:
- offering counselling to adults, children and young people within a low cost counselling practice in North Somerset
- working as a volunteer Youth Counsellor for Off the Record in Bristol
- working as a self employed counsellor within a Boarding School environment for students aged 8-18yrs
- as a School Counsellor in a North Somerset Academy offering counselling to students, aged 11-18 yrs
- In private practice with adults, children and young people
Additionally, I have over 30 years experience of working with children, young people, parents/carers and families gained within a range of settings, including Youth Services in Bristol and North Somerset, Education Welfare in Bristol, voluntary Mentoring Programme for Looked After Children in North Somerset, Parent Support Worker for a National Parenting Charity (Parentline Plus - now Family Lives), and also Parent Support Advisor/Family Support Worker in a North Somerset Secondary School.
I have experience of working with a wide range of issues including:
low self esteem and confidence, worry, anxiety, panic attacks, fears and phobias, low mood, mood swings, sadness, depression, bereavement, loss and change, work related issues, school issues, exam stress, bullying, change and transition, self harm, suicidal thoughts, sleep issues, mild eating issues, anger, abuse, family and personal relationship issues, sexuality, gender identity, parental stress, coping with illness and much more.
I am committed to supporting individuals towards emotional health and wellbeing and a greater freedom to enjoy their lives.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I can provide counselling for parents or carers who feel in need of support with their children/teenagers or older children, or with family issues generally.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
All sessions are 60 minutes long.
Standard rate per session is £45;
(Some concessionary rates may be available for students/those on low income).
If you would like to find out more or to arrange an appointment, please contact Tel. No. 07581 219309 or via email at karen.clark.counsellor@gmail.com.
When I work
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | |||||||
Afternoon | |||||||
Evening | |||||||
Night |
Saturday sessions are Walk and Talk sessions only at Chew Magna.
Further information
Walk and Talk sessions are currently offered in Backwell and Chew Magna. I will be also be offering indoor sessions from November 2021 at my counselling room in Backwell, which is easily accessible from Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, located just off the A370.