Karys Varker

Do you want to relieve pain and distress caused by depression and anxiety? Do you want to work towards a better relationship with your loved ones or have a space to talk openly about what you’re currently experiencing in life? Are you feeling alone with what you’re experiencing, and would you like to be listened to in a manner free from judgement and opinion?

My name is Karys Varker and I'm a qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist offering counselling and psychological therapies to individuals in the heart of Exeter. I will work with you in a collaborative manner so that through therapeutic discussion you are able to discover the underlying issues, emotions, and triggers that are contributing to your psychological distress. My aim is to support you in finding the answers you need to help you to increase your overall wellbeing, bring about positive changes and gain a greater sense of control in your life.

I work in a calm and sensitive manner in a quiet location in Exeter city centre that offers a safe space in which you can freely discuss the difficulties and challenges that you are facing in your life confidentially and securely. No issue is too big or too small and my aim is to offer you support, warmth and respect and work with you at your own desired pace.

Also, as I work as an Integrative Counsellor I'm able to draw on different techniques and exercises from a range of counselling, psychotherapy, and psychological therapies in order to tailor the counselling to your own individual needs to help you to achieve your goals and desires. I also feel that my experience of working in a psychological health care setting adds an additional dynamic to our work together as I have acquired further knowledge surrounding mental health issues, relationship types and patterns, and attachment styles, which may allow for a deeper awareness of the issues that you are experiencing.

I specialise in working with people experiencing Depression and Anxiety Disorders including Social Phobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, and Health Anxiety. I also work for the NHS as a Counsellor providing Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression.

The issues I work with:

I work with adults, and adolescents and I also specialise in working with students at college, universities and individuals undertaking their counselling training.

I am experienced in working with a range of issues including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety
• Agoraphobia
• Relationship Issues
• Low Self-Esteem
• Bereavement
• Life Stresses
• Family Issues
• Workplace Stress
• Being a carer
• Parenthood

This list is not exhaustive and a more extensive list of the issues that I'm able to help you with can be seen below. However, if the issue that you’re experiencing isn’t listed below then please contact me as I may still be able to help you.

Experience

In addition to working for over 7 years as a Registered Integrative Counsellor with my own private practice in Exeter City Centre I have also achieved:

• BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Birmingham
• MSc in Social & Organisational Psychology from the University of Exeter
• Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
• Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
• PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) - University of Exeter
• Certificate in IAPT Supervisor Training - University of Exeter
• Certificate in Low Intensity Psychological Therapies for Long Term Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms - University of Exeter
• Currently in training for Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CFD) - Metanoia Institute
• British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)-Registered Member 
• British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Accreditation-currently working towards
• I am a fully insured member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and therefore I work within the guidelines of the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice which you can view here: http://www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework/
• I also have 5 years experience of working in the NHS delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to people with Depression and Anxiety Disorders including Social Phobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobia, and Health Anxiety
• I am a trained Supervisor for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners delivering CBT in the NHS
• I come from a psychological background whereby I have conducted research into the workings of the mind, human emotion, eating behaviour, and the psychology of human relationships
• I have experience as a counselling client myself
• I continuously engage in training and professional and personal development so that I am able to offer the highest level of service to you that I can

I also offer the following Psychological Therapies for a more directional approach:

• Exposure and Habituation Therapy: for Phobias and Panic Disorder
• Behavioural Activation: for Depression
• Cognitive Restructuring: for Depression
• Worry Management: for Anxiety
• Problem Solving: for Anxiety
• Sleep Hygiene
• Motivational Interviewing for Behaviour Change

I offer individual counselling on both a short-term and long-term basis. Daytime, evening and weekend counselling sessions are currently available.

I offer face to face, telephone, or remote online video sessions.

Each 50 minute counselling session costs £60

A bundle of 6 sessions can be paid for upfront with a 10% discount on fees

Reduced price counselling sessions are available to school, college, and university students and individuals with financial constraints on request.

Please contact me if you would like a free initial 30 minute phone call to discover if I am the right Counsellor for you!

Thank you for taking the time to visit my profile. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact me by email and I’ll endeavour to contact you as soon as possible.