About me
Hello, I'm Karen, a qualified and passionate integrative counsellor and well-being coach.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply need someone to talk to? I believe that therapy should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstances.
I help individuals become more self-aware and focus on goals and strategies to manage thoughts and feelings, helping with personal growth, improving relationships with others, mental health, and overall well-being.
How can I help?
Experienced Guidance - With a policing background, I have extensive experience dealing with high-end stressful situations and understand the complexities of human emotions. This unique perspective allows me to connect with you at a deeper level.
Safe space - I prioritise creating a warm and welcoming, confidential and non- judgemental environment where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and feelings in a safe space. Your thoughts and feelings are valid, and I'm here to listen.
Integrated approach - Taking the step to reach out for therapy can be a difficult decision for many, and an easy decision for others. Everyone's journey is unique, and I tailor my therapy sessions to meet the individual needs of my clients. I blend various therapeutic methods to address your specific challenges.
As an experienced counsellor, I have supported individuals from all walks of life with a wide range of physical, emotional, and mental health issues, including PTSD, work-related stress, trauma, bereavement, loneliness and isolation, anxiety, depression, stress, family issues, relationship difficulties, and low self-esteem, to name just a few. I advocate for supporting clients through mental health and domestic violence, and also have a close affiliation to 'Cruse Bereavement' and RSVP (Rape & Sexual Violence Project), where I have supported clients through grief and loss and sexual abuse.
These experiences can cause us to have a variety of emotions and cause us to feel anxious, lonely, and depressed. I offer thoughtful, confidential, solution-focused support to help you feel better, find healing and resilience on your counselling journey.
Getting Started
I offer a free 15 - minute relaxed ‘Get to know’ session either via telephone or zoom/google meet. This will give us both an opportunity to have a conversation about how and if we can work together, answer any questions, and to see if I am the right therapist for you.
Finding a therapist with whom you feel comfortable with is essential.
After the ‘get-to-know-you session’, if you would like to continue, we would typically have between 6-8 weekly sessions. (although sessions can be flexible).
Flexible scheduling
I offer flexible appointment times. Your mental health is my priority, and I want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the support you need.
I offer long and short-term therapy, in person or online, with evening and some weekend availability.
Therapy room
My therapy room is perfectly located in a private, peaceful setting in Sutton Coldfield. In my practice, I aim to create a supportive and transformative environment that helps my clients explore their own feelings and experiences to achieve personal growth, enhance their own well-being, and help reach their full potential, making their lives more meaningful.
Walk and talk Therapy
Additionally, I offer walk-and-talk therapy sessions, as I find that discussing issues in an open environment can create a more relaxed atmosphere, helping clients feel more balanced and lower anxiety levels, making it easier for clients to open up during sessions
As an integrative counsellor, I love what I do and feel privileged to share my clients' journeys as they move toward a happier and brighter future.
I look forward to working together and supporting you through your counselling journey.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and offer one-to-one counselling in a private practice in Sutton Coldfield and online throughout the UK.
Experience
I am an experienced counsellor and specialise in working with clients who have experienced trauma (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, abuse, low self-esteem, bereavement, domestic violence, and relationship difficulties. I also assist clients in their personal development journey, helping them become more self-aware and focused on their goals. Together, we explore strategies for managing thoughts and emotions, enhancing mental health, and promoting overall well-being.
My career started with West Midlands Police, where I served for more than 20 years as a Detective Constable in diverse roles, including family liaison officer on homicide – supporting families affected by murder/manslaughter, domestic violence, assault, sexual abuse, and bereavement and loss. I continue to support clients experiencing grief and loss through my work with 'Cruse Bereavement' services and have extensive specialised experience supporting clients through the rape and sexual violence project in Birmingham. Given the wealth of my experience working in the police, I fully understand the pressures that everyday life, difficult experiences, challenging careers, relationships, education, and other working environments can bring.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma – Level 4 in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy [BACP]
- Level 3 Counselling and Therapeutic Practice
- Advanced Certificate/Accreditation in Online and Telephone Counselling [ACTO Approved]
- Working with children and Adults who have experienced complex trauma
- Certificate of Awareness in Bereavement Care [CRUSE]
- Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- Certificate in coaching
- Level 2 - Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- Safeguarding training – Adult, children and young people
- Mental Health First Aid
- First Aid trained
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
Areas of Expertise
- Bereavement and loss
- PTSD - First responders, frontline workers, and military personnel
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Sleep Insomnia
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
When I work
- Daytime, evenings, and some availability during the weekend
Fees
- Individual Psychotherapy (18+) £50 per session
- Telephone Psychotherapy £50 per session
- Online Psychotherapy £50 per session
- Walk and talk Psychotherapy £50 per session
Direct bank transfer, Cash before the start of your session
Further information
Memberships
- Registered Member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy [MBACP]
- Professional member of Association for Counselling and Therapy Online [ACTO]
I have a DBS certificate
I am fully insured and covered by both professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
