Karen Derber, HCPC registered Counselling Psychologist
About me
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.
Training, qualifications & experience
Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Therapy (Northbrook College, Worthing)
B.A.Hons Social Psychology (University of Sussex)
MSc Counselling Psychology (University of Sussex)
British Psychological Society Chartership in Counselling Psychology Reg. No. 099405
Associate Fellow British Psychological Society
HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist Reg. No. PYL22131
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
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.
Health and Care Professions Council
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Pain Management
Living with long-term physical conditions
Mindfulness based approaches
Fees
To be agreed in discussion with client. Generally between £45 and £60 per session.
