Karen Downes
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a qualified BACP counsellor who works from Exeter, Tiverton and online.
I welcome you to try an introductory meeting free of charge either face to face or online to see if you feel we could work together.
I work with individuals, with any life events, transitions or decisions you may wish to bring. I help with anxiety, depression or stress in a secure and gentle way.
Each individual brings their own personal situation and I will sit alongside you, at your pace, with guidance and support, all in a safe place.
I strongly feel that life doesn’t have to be a constant balancing act. You can get peace…You can learn to pause, to breathe, to feel ok.
I am an adoptive mum and was previously a foster carer. I specialise in therapy for looked after children, families of birth and adoptive parents, appreciating the complexities involved from each perspective.
I provide hourly sessions at a regular time weekly. I have some sessions in person in and online. I do provide some low cost counselling based on affordability so please do ask.
If you decide to get in touch, I will guide you gently through how we might work together. We will discuss confidentiality and answer any and all questions you might have in a relaxed space. If you would like me to, I could help in determining your goals in therapy and will make a plan to achieve these together, in the form of a type of “contract” that we work together on. Be prepared to laugh, cry, stretch, grow and reach goals you might have thought were impossible.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an advanced diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP accredited) from the Iron Mill College in Exeter. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP).
I am currently studying for an MSc in Psychodynamic Human Development with a Jungian focus. I am experienced in therapeutic parenting based on Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy techniques.
I work and volunteer at Bounce Brighter Futures family counselling charity in Tiverton where I provide adult counselling. I have previously volunteered as a counsellor at the Margaret Jackson centre in Exeter.
Member organisations
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
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Supporting adoptive parents
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £60.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I provide a fee structure based on personal affordability.
I always have a couple of counselling slots for low cost counselling as I believe in providing counselling for all.
When I work
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Please ask - I can be flexible
Further information
I am fully insured and as a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adhere to their ethical framework.
