Karen Nolan

Welcome

I’m an experienced BACP registered psychotherapist with special interests in anxiety, childhood trauma and ADHD.  

Based in Greater Manchester, I offer both individual and group psychotherapy.

If you’re looking to start working with me, I have availability online for weekly and fortnightly sessions.  Also, from November, I have a space for longterm, in-person, psychodynamic psychotherapy in Wigan, WN3 on Wednesday afternoons.  Please enquire for details and to arrange a free consultation. 

Approach

I use transactional analysis (TA) a method of psychotherapy that values and recognises the potential for change and growth in every individual. TA encourages us to be more present and aware of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour . It starts from three core beliefs:

• You’re OK.
• You have the ability to think and problem solve.
• Change is possible.

TA is a group and individual psychotherapy. It is effective both as a longterm psychodynamic therapy and for shorter term work.  

TA offers some very practical models for understanding ourselves, enhancing communication and deepening our relationship with ourselves and others. You can learn more about TA on my website www.karennolan.co.uk

I’m undertaking further training in groupwork and group psychotherapy is a developing area of my practice.  I conduct a monthly TA therapy group and offer dream sharing groups online and in-person. You’re welcome to contact me for more information about both individual and group therapy  

How can therapy with me help? 

Psychotherapy can help with:

• anxiety, depression and sadness, 
• relationship difficulties, 
• improving confidence, assertiveness and self-esteem,
• exploring aspects of identity, diversity, community and belonging, 
• overcoming feelings of guilt, shame, anger, frustration or loneliness,
• coping in the aftermath of painful or traumatic events,
• addressing career transitions, workplace challenges and stress.

You will find psychotherapy with me beneficial if you:

• Wish  to learn more about yourself and your ways of being. 
• Notice self-destructive or harmful patterns repeating in your work,  personal life or studies and are wondering how to change this. 
• Are curious about how past experiences and unconscious beliefs may be affecting your choices and relationships in the present. 

Ethical Practice

I am a BACP registered member and work in accordance with their professional standards.

Individual Therapy 

Individual therapy with me can be both brief and long-term.  Usually I see clients for 50 minutes weekly or once every two weeks.  

In-Person

I have a small number of spaces for longterm, weekly, psychodynamic therapy, in Wigan, WN3.  Please enquire for details and to book an initial, online consultation. 

Online Therapy 

If you’re interested in working online with me, I have availability for weekly and fortnightly individual sessions.  Online therapy can be brief or longer term depending on your requirements. 

Group Therapy 

Therapy in a group offers a great opportunity to explore current difficulties and past experiences in the company of others.

The group therapy I offer is transactional analysis, and my approach is informed by group analytic theory and principles.  

1. Creative Dreamers

I’m accepting enquiries for a new online dream sharing group.  This therapeutic group will meet monthly on Wednesday evenings beginning Autumn/Winter 2024. It provides an opportunity to connect creatively with others, explore unconscious processes, learn some transactional analysis and experience being in a group.

If you’re interested in working with dreams as a way of better understanding, yourself, others and the world we inhabit,  this online group might work well for you. 

2. Creative Dreamers In-Person 

I’m working on plans to offer a monthly, in-person dream sharing group in central Wigan or Manchester - possibly both if I can find suitable venues. Get in touch if you’d like more information. 

TA Saturdays Therapy Group

This monthly transactional analysis therapy group is currently full.

This slow-open therapy group meets mainly online with a smaller number of in-person sessions held in central Wigan.  From Spring 2025 I will be accepting enquiries to join the waiting list for this group. 

Is Group Therapy for you? 

Beginning Group Psychotherapy is a great way to connect with others and build or rebuild your confidence in groups and social situations. Taking the first steps may feel daunting, especially if you’ve had mixed experiences of being in groups in the past.  That is why, before joining a therapy group with me, we will schedule an initial consultation followed by some individual sessions, to explore what you want from therapy, understand your background and support you in preparing to get best out of your time in the group. 

Next Steps

If you’re ready to take the next step in exploring either individual or group psychotherapy with me,  please get in touch to arrange a free consultation.

The consultation lasts around 50 minutes and is an opportunity to tell me more about yourself, your reasons for starting therapy and for us to talk about how we might work together. I will also answer any questions you have about therapy and my approach.

In my psychotherapy practice I have special interests in childhood trauma,  complex PTSD,  anxiety and ADHD.

I work from an attachment informed perspective and specialise in working with adults who experienced sexual, physical or psychological abuse or neglect during childhood. 

I have a background in human resource management and experience of workplace mediation, dispute resolution and change implementation. I have successfully supported many people through workplace difficulties such as bullying, grievance, redundancy and retirement as well as return to work following long-term illness, injury or unemployment. 

A longtime area of specialism is work-related stress and burnout. Previously, I managed in-house health and safety and HR services for a number of large publc sector organisations and have experience implementing well-being programmes and supporting return to work.  

I have a Post Graduate Diploma in HRM and NEBOSH certificate in occupational safety and health. I am particularly interested in the impact factors such as environment, social support, time spent outdoors  and creativity have on our psychological wellbeing.

Individual psychotherapy online or in-person is £60 per 50 minute session.  

Group therapy - please enquire for current availability and fees. 

I offer daytime and evening appointment. Earliest appointment is 8.30 AM and latest is 7.00 PM. 

Evenings are popular and fill up quickly , so please contact me for current availability.