Karen Bray

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she/her
Person-Centred Integrative Counsellor. BA (Hons), MBACP
No current availability
No current availability

This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

Bath, Somerset, BA1 1SH
No current availability
No current availability

This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

Sessions available in-person (central Bath), online and by phone.

However stuck, uncertain or anxious you may feel at the moment, I know that within you is a strong and healthy self that knows exactly what is right for you and how to move forward. 

Often, though, the pressures of life create blocks that can stop us hearing that wise guide, especially when we are dealing with a new or significant challenge. With the right support, we can connect with our inner strength and resolve our difficulties.

I will provide you with the environment of calm, understanding and acceptance that makes it safe to explore what’s troubling for you and to try out different perspectives. I’ll suggest some creative ways of thinking about yourself and your situation and I may offer some ideas about the human condition which can help make sense of things that have been puzzling you.

Research shows that finding a counsellor with whom you can build a relationship of confidence and trust is more vital to the effectiveness of counselling than anything else. We can have a no-obligation initial session to give you a sense of what it is like to work with me.

I offer regular weekly counselling at a fee of £55 per 60-minute session.

I also offer ONEplus counselling, designed to get you unstuck and unlock meaningful change in just one session. For more information about this, please visit my website (see link above).

Training, qualifications & experience

My primary training (FdSc, Distinction) and orientation is in the Person-Centred Approach. This means I offer a safe and accepting therapeutic relationship which honours all your thoughts and feelings (even the ones you'd rather not have) as having a constructive purpose. 

My BA (Hons) is in Integrative Counselling. So I can draw on other therapeutic models as they seem useful, particularly the solution-focused approach (clarifying a better future to work towards, rather than just dwelling on what's painful now). I bring a compassionate perspective to the self-criticism and inner conflict many clients live with.

My experience includes counselling at both residential and non-residential addiction treatment centres, and with an agency specialising in recovery from childhood trauma, abuse and neglect.  I have supported people who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, anger, grief, depression, low self-worth, isolation and traumatic memories to find a better emotional balance; like and understand themselves more;  and feel stronger, more resourced and hopeful about the future.

I have also counselled young people aged 18 to 25, who can find a focus on the value of their inner experiencing a refreshing contrast to the "oughts" and "shoulds" that particularly plague that age group.

And, as a qualified mediator, I have a longstanding interest in supporting people to communicate more effectively and to manage anger and conflict constructively, in relationships, families, and at work.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Twelve-step friendly practitioner.  I work with codependency, assertiveness and effective communication.

Photos & videos

Fees

£55.00 - £75.00

Additional information

Regular weekly counselling costs £55 per 60-minute session. I charge for the initial session, but if you don't find it helpful I'll refund the fee.

Further information

I offer counselling in-person in central Bath, and by Zoom video link.  I am also experienced in phone counselling, which can be the most appropriate format for some people.  We can consider which option will be most suitable when arranging our appointment.

Soul Spa, 2 Hetling Court, Bath, Somerset, BA1 1SH

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people
Adults

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

I work in central Bath. A ground floor room with step-free access is available by arrangement. Please contact me about this or any other accessibility needs.

Online platforms

Zoom