Karen Shaw

Do you want a supportive space to talk?
Are you troubled by traumatic memories? 
Are you struggling with depression, anxiety and/or stress?
Would you like to improve your confidence & self-esteem and feel happier?

Hello, I am Karen, a fully qualified, BACP Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I consider myself to be warm, caring, non-judgmental, sensitive and supportive. I am a LGBTQ+ ally and have experience of working with neurodiverse clients.

I am skilled in helping people to improve their self-esteem, manage anxiety and depression, and to create more satisfying relationships with themselves and others. I have a special interest in supporting people who have experienced sexual violence/abuse and helping people to address deep-rooted childhood trauma/developmental problems.
My practice is based in a convenient, fully accessible location in Grantham, just off the A1 with free car parking. 

I provide confidential long & short term counselling to individual adults. I offer in person or online sessions.

I believe passionately in the long-term benefits of counselling and love my work. It is a privilege for me to support people through their difficulties and help them find their way to live happier, more fulfilled lives.

Who Can I Help

Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to go through it alone. You may be seeking therapy to get support with something specific that has happened to you. Trauma, the loss of a loved one, loss of work, identity or purpose. I can provide you with a confidential space for you to process your experience and find a way to heal and move forward. Alternatively, you may want someone to support and listen to you while you’re going through a difficult time.
 
Short-term Brief Counselling

In brief and short term work we may agree to work for 6-12 sessions then reassess.
You may come to counselling when you’re going through a difficult period where you need support and someone to listen. 

I can also support you to focus on one, or a few specific issues and work towards defined, achievable goals.

Long Term

This is usually open-ended. I will support you while you look deeply at your thoughts, emotions, behaviour and ingrained patterns of relating, which often have their roots in childhood, so that you can develop a greater understanding of yourself and make any changes you’d like. Our work will be anchored in the present while we can look with gentle curiosity at how past memories and future worries impact you in the here and now. Long-term work can lead to profound growth, increased happiness and personality changes over time.

How I Work

I am an integrative, relational, humanist psychotherapeutic counsellor. This means that I have learnt various counselling models and use my skills and experience to tailor a therapeutic approach that is individual to you and your needs, to help you reach your goals. 

I offer a range of techniques to support therapeutic exploration and change. This can include inner child work, the use of story and metaphor, sand tray, guided imagery, dream work, drawing, painting, clay, bodywork, mindfulness, and relaxation if you are comfortable with any of these methods.

Above all, I believe in the importance and power of the therapeutic relationship in which I invest myself professionally, genuinely, emotionally and lovingly with integrity and confidentially.

Getting Started

I know that taking that first step can often feel difficult especially if you don't know what to expect. You can expect me to be warm, welcoming and non-judgmental.

All you need to do right at the start is get in touch! You can contact me in whatever way feels most comfortable - by telephone call, text, WhatsApp or email and we can arrange an initial meeting/assessment.

I offer an optional, free 15 minute pre-assessment telephone consultation. This is an opportunity for you to connect with me before meeting and ask questions, which can be helpful if you are nervous or a bit unsure.

All sessions are 50 minutes long. It's very relaxed and if you are nervous, I will do my best to put you at ease. Our first session is an assessment session where we have a chance for us to get to know each other a little - you will have the space to tell me what has brought you to counselling, and I can explain how I work and answer any questions you have. After that, I can tell you if I think I can help you and you can decide if it feels a good fit for you. Some people know right away, others like to go away and have a think about it. There is no obligation to continue. 

If we decide to continue, we will then agree on a day and time to meet, usually weekly. You may already have an idea as to whether you want to work long or short term.

Fees can be paid by bank transfer, cash or credit card 

Newark:  I work from North Newark on Mondays.

The therapy room is on the ground floor accessible by a couple of steps or permanent ramp. Free car parking on site

Grantham: I work from Grantham on Tuesdays.

A wheelchair accessible room is available. There is an accessible toilet. Free car parking on site.