Karen Ison
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, my name is Karen and I am a qualified relational integrative counsellor and a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I offer short term counselling and longer term psychotherapy in the Reading area, both face-to-face and online.
At times we can all find life difficult, complicated, and challenges seem to come one after the other. We can feel a little lost or maybe overwhelmed. We might worry about burdening our family and friends with our difficulties. I found that counselling can really help, and I know that my clients feel the same way too. Sharing in a safe, confidential and compassionate place allows us to feel heard, valued and navigate those choppy waters. You do not have to struggle alone. Connecting to someone who shows empathy and understanding, can help you find your way forward.
How do I work?
Saying that I am an integrative counsellor maybe sounds a little technical! What it means is that I use different counselling approaches, tailored to the needs of you, the client. At the very heart of my practice is relationship. When clients give me feedback, this is what comes up the most often. They have said, ‘what I valued was our trusting relationship that gave me the courage to explore difficulties in my life’. I believe that within us we all have the potential and resources to bring about change and, with support, you will be able to find your way forward. We might also look at your past; this can be really helpful as we all learn patterns of behaviour and ways of thinking that might no longer serve us well today.
You might be creative and I really enjoy working in this way. Sometimes finding clarity with words alone can be difficult. Creative therapy can help you communicate your inner experience when words are not enough.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have worked with clients on many issues including depression, anxiety, relationships, bereavement, self-esteem, intimacy, trauma, PTSD, sexuality and questions around their identity.
I continue to volunteer in a low cost counselling agency. My clients are of varying ages, from 19 to 82, and come with a huge variety of presenting issues. It is never to late to change!
I worked as a teacher for 20 years and have extensive experience working with young people and their families. I also understand the stresses and strains that can come from a busy job, in my case teaching.
I am the mum of an young adult on the spectrum and understand the challenges that many neurodivergent clients can face.
I am a Specialist Mental Health Mentor at Reading University, where I support students with a variety of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and ASD.
I lived abroad for many years and have experience working in different cultural settings.
I am bilingual and speak French.
My Qualifications
I hold a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.
I have had further training in Compassion Focussed Therapy, which benefits all my clients but particularly if you struggle with shame or have a very harsh self-critical voice.
Before I qualified as a counsellor, I gained a degree and PGCE in Modern Languages.
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.
The Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions (ACC) is a Christian professional membership organisation for those involved in counselling/psychotherapy and linked professions, i.e. pastoral care, coaching and spiritual direction, in the UK. The organisation is made up of various different membership categories, including Counsellor and Accredited, and requires all members working as counsellors to undertake Continuous Professional Development on a regular basis.
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
I also have experience working with adults with Chronic Pain as well as Chronic fatigue.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
I do have some discounted spaces for students and people on a low income.
I offer a free initial 30 min phone call.
When I work
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Further information
If you feel that you would like to explore what counselling can offer you, the next step is to get in touch and leave some contact details. Email works best as, if I am with a client, I am not able to pick up a call.
We can then arrange for a free 30 minute call to explore what you would like from therapy and whether you would like us to work together.
