Karen Welch
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Welcome and thank you for viewing my profile. I understand that reaching out and asking for help is a daunting prospect so I guess if you are viewing this profile then you are struggling with life in some way.
People come to therapy for many different reasons. Life can be so demanding at times that it can feel quite overwhelming. Maybe you are feeling depressed, sad, anxious, isolated and alone, or you might feel that others are not listening to you or that you are being misunderstood or discriminated against. You may be experiencing relationship problems or have experienced a bereavement or loss, maybe you live with chronic illness, disease, disability or pain or maybe you have a different kind of life changing event that you are struggling to cope with or it could be that you are at a crossroads in life and not sure which way to turn.
Whatever your reasons for seeking out therapy if it’s causing you distress then it matters.
I am a BACP Accredited therapist which means my practice has met the BACP higher standard as a competent, ethical and independent practitioner.
The therapy I offer welcomes clients from all backgrounds and aims to provide a professional, supportive, non-judgmental and non-discriminatory approach to therapy, where you can feel safe exploring your thoughts, feelings, and concerns with an experienced therapist.
Having the opportunity to talk and work through the difficulties and concerns you are experiencing can often help to understand and make sense of the current situation and provide potential opportunities for change and to move forward in life.
My core approach to therapy is person-centred, however when appropriate I integrate other techniques into the work that allows me to adapt the therapy to best suit your needs so in effect puts you the client at the heart of the therapy. The most important factor for you as a client is to find a therapist who you can relate to and feel comfortable with.
I work with a broad range of issues offering individual online therapy via Zoom or via the telephone.
Online therapy provides an opportunity to talk and work through personal difficulty in a confidential and supportive environment. It allows you to access therapy at a time and place which is convenient to you.
You will need to find a private and confidential space where you will not be disturbed or overheard.
Clients often find that online therapy often fits in better with their work and home commitments and is easier for clients who find it difficult to travel or live in rural areas. It is particularly useful for clients who live with disabilities, chronic illnesses or social anxieties.
Some clients feel more comfortable with working online rather than being in the same room as the therapist.
Training, qualifications & experience
My professional qualifications include:
- BA (Hons) Counselling Studies (University of Essex)
- Diploma Person Centred Counselling
- Cert. Couples Counselling
- Cert. MBSR (Mindfulness based stress reduction)
- (OCST 4) Audio and Webcam (ACTO Approved Training)
As part of my commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) I regularly attend further courses and workshops. This allows me to integrate other approaches and techniques into my work and to maintain professional standards.
I have extensive experience of working with a diverse range of clients who have many different therapy needs within age ranges 18 years through to 80 years plus both in long and short-term work. The majority of this experience has been working face to face in person however since March 2020 I have been working online and have undertaken 100 hours of additional training to work online via audio and webcam.
I have experience of working within a private therapy practice, part of that time as deputy manager and currently in my own private practice. I have also worked for various charitable organisations in the voluntary sector some of which include supporting victims of crime, cancer patients and their families and providing therapy for women who have experienced domestic abuse.
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.
The Association for Counselling and Therapy Online
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
I offer a free of charge initial 20 minute telephone consultation to explain how I work and to provide further information on the process of therapy. This also gives you the chance as a client to ask any questions you have relating to therapy. I am open to answering any questions that you might have during this call and throughout therapy.
Individual online counselling sessions via Zoom or via the telephone £50 (50 minutes). Sessions are usually on a weekly or fortnightly basis, depending on your therapy needs which we can discuss in the initial telephone consultation.
When I work
I work during the day and evenings.
Further information
I am a Registered and an Accredited Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and abide by their Ethical Framework and the “BACP Guidelines for Online Counselling and Psychotherapy”. I am also a Level 2 Professional Member of ACTO (Association For Counselling and Therapy Online) I have Insurance and hold a current DBS Certificate formally known as CRB (Criminal Records Bureau). I am also registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office)
I am fully committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected and you will receive a copy of my GDPR and Privacy policy to reflect this if you decide to engage my services
For further information please visit my website karenwelchcounselling.co.uk
