Karen Derber, HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist

I'm an experienced (25 years) counsellor and have worked with a broad range of difficulties. I still have a practice within a mental health charity in Brighton and over the years have specialised in many forms of trauma. In the NHS between 2003 and 2013, I developed a specialist interest in Health Psychology and the psychological consequences of living with a long-term health condition. I worked as a Counselling Psychologist in multi-disciplinary teams in Primary and Secondary Care, specialising in Chronic Pain, Breast Cancer and Psychosomatic conditions.

I have been trained in all the major models of counselling and therapy and I believe that a highly empathic relationship is the most facilitative relationship for personal growth. How that develops with each individual is unique and essentially unpredictable. In practice, I can offer brief, symptom-focussed therapies and for more complex difficulties a more relational approach is offered on an open-ended basis.

In my view, no one approach to therapy suits everyone. I try to find the best approach for each individual given what the problems are, the context they are in, the person's background, preferences and most pressing needs.

I can provide clinical supervision to counselling psychology trainees and qualified psychologists and counsellors. I am an external supervisor for London Metropolitan University and Metanoia.

For people seeking therapy I generally prefer to arrange a first meeting by email. The initial meeting is so that you can tell me what you have sought help with and you can find out whether I am someone you think you could talk to about the matters that have brought you to counselling. An initial rapport between counsellor and client has been shown to be a very accurate predictor of an effective therapy. At that initial meeting you will be able to ask any questions you may have about the counselling process or the therapeutic approach that I would recommend for you.

I know that it can be very daunting to make your first contact with a counsellor however, your initial email and any other contact with me remains completely private and confidential.

In the current lockdown I can only offer online sessions via Skype or Zoom.