Karen Senior

Hi I'm Karen,

I am a Person Centred Experiential Counsellor and Counselling Supervisor currently working with women and girls aged over 16 years.   I am registered and senior accredited with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) currently offering face to face, online or   telephone counselling and supervision on a One to One  basis .  

I have over 15 years  counselling experience which includes treating clients within  NHS  primary care mental health services , working within the criminal justice system and with substance misuse services and also within the voluntary sector.    

My specialism however lies in working with difficulties you may face regarding  relationships and family issues; for example, the challenges often faced within ‘blended’ families.  Long term effects of toxic narcissistic parenting;   emotional, childhood/and or sexual and domestic abuse or childhood neglect.

Please note I work with clients on a One to One basis only.  For couples counselling or family therapy please contact other therapists on Counselling Directory in your area. 

 In addition to my counselling experience, I am  also qualified to provide Clinical Supervision to other counselling practitioners, please see my supervision profile. 

So am I the Counsellor for you ?

I am currently focusing my private practice on issues which may affect women and girls over the age of 16 as this is an area of great interest to me.  For example you may be a young mother, a carer or student, you could be feeling anxious or depressed, you may be struggling with feelings/emotions brought about by difficult life events or current world issues?  You may be feeling lost, alone or struggling with low self esteem or self belief.  Perhaps you’re experiencing difficultly within close/intimate  relationships and find it hard to make decisions ?   Or maybe your problems are work/career related, for example stress or burn out.  You may be approaching/experiencing  peri menopause/ menopause and suffering distressing psychological symptoms as a result, perhaps you are caring for elderly parents while also balancing work and family commitments. You may be feeling numb, sad, lonely or isolated.  Perhaps  your children have ‘flown the nest’ and you no longer feel needed.  Maybe you are looking for new direction or more positive personal change?  

Domestic, physical, verbal, psychological and emotional Abuse

I am a member of the Northumbria Sexual and Domestic Violence Champions Network, working as part of the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Initiative; raising awareness and knowledge of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Are you someone who is recovering from or trying to deal with an abusive relationship, do you feel stuck and unable to ‘move on’? Perhaps your confidence and self esteem has been affected by coercive control, an affair or betrayal and you are hoping to build upon resilience and self worth. You may be looking for support with recovery from an emotionally abusive or controlling relationship. 

What is Person Centred Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling?

Person-centred experiential psychotherapy and counselling is part of the group of therapies that are based on humanistic-existential psychology. The approach is grounded in the idea that people are motivated within themselves towards achieving an optimal level of positive psychological functioning if the conditions in their life are supportive. It is an approach to helping that was originally developed by the psychologist Carl Rogers and has been informed by more recent and contemporary theoretical developments.

Professional Standards

I attend monthly clinical supervision sessions, the purpose of these sessions is to monitor my practice and enables me to work ethically and in line with the BACP Ethical Framework. Furthermore, I regularly engage in current CPD ( continuing professional development ) training events, BACP lectures and workshops .

What I offer and how I can support you

It is my aim to offer ‘One to One,’ Face to Face, online or telephone Counselling in a warm, friendly safe, confidential environment. One in which you may explore your current life issues and difficulties in a way that feels comfortable and respectful for you.

I believe each woman to be unique, and I will work to value and support your personal choices and the directions you choose in life.

I believe you are the expert in your own internal world and you are ultimately the only person who accurately understands how you feel, the only one who can decide who and how you should be, what the true meaning of your life is and how it should be lived.

I also believe that the therapeutic relationship between us will be the most important aspect of counselling. This therapeutic relationship can provide you with a safe space to feel truly accepted, heard and understood in a non-judgemental empathic environment. During our work you will experience me as a real and genuine person within the relationship. I will be open and transparent with my feelings and emotions as I experience them in the moment, I may offer suggestions but will never tell you what you must do.

I believe that the answers you seek are within you and it is my role as a therapist to 'walk alongside you' to support you, to understand, to explore, to challenge where appropriate and also to clarify. I am experienced in working with spells of silence, tears and strong emotions being displayed in sessions.  

Supervision

I have over 10 experience in supervising Counsellors and Counselling students in training and on placement.

My fee for supervision is £60 per hour and £80 for 1.5 hours, discounts for students on placements. 

• Surviving narcissistic abuse
• Toxic relationships
• Coping with life when you’re highly sensitive.
• coercive control in relationships
• Self esteem and self worth
• Emotional abuse
• Recovery from addiction
• Bereavement and loss
• Managing your relationship with social media

Women only service

Currently working with girls and women aged 16 Years and over.

Fees

Free initial telephone assessment  

Face to face or telephone Counselling is  £60 per hour thereafter. 

Counselling for students and those on benefits will be charged at £50 per hour. 

Face to face or telephone  Supervision is £60 per 1 hour and £80 for 1.5 hours   

Face to face or Telephone Supervision  for counselling students -  £60 per 1.5 hours 

Payment can be made by cash or bank transfer/ bacs payment.

An initial telephone consultation, will last approximately 30 minutes and is offered free of charge.  This will enable us to establish your presenting issues and the appropriateness of our working together.

Telephone/email enquiries are free

IMPORTANT Cancellation Policy-

Once therapy has commenced, appointments cancelled less than  24 hours before agreed appointment will be charged at full rate.

Currently available as above 

My usual working hours are 9.00am- 5.30pm Tuesday , Wednesday and Thursday, I have limited evening spaces between 6.00- 7.30pm. 

• I work from home in a quiet residential area. Counselling will take place in a ground floor designated therapy room. There are ample on site parking facilities and the premises also has wheelchair access.

Please do not hesitate to contact me via email to ask any questions you may have.