About me
About Me
Hello, I'm Karen - a CBT therapist offering in-person therapy in Cumbernauld and Airdrie, as well as online.
You might be here because something doesn't feel quite right. Perhaps you're feeling anxious, overwhelmed or low, or you've found yourself stuck in patterns that are difficult to change.
You may have been coping for a long time - pushing through, putting other people first, overthinking everything or simply getting on with things - but lately it feels harder to keep doing that.
I offer a calm, supportive and down to earth space where you can talk openly without judgement. We can take some time to understand what is happening beneath the surface, where some of these patterns may have come from, and what might help you move forward.
My approach is grounded in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but I don't believe therapy should feel clinical or like a one-size-fits-all programme. I work collaboratively and adapt therapy around you, your experiences and what you need.
Where appropriate, I also draw upon compassion-focused, trauma-informed and DBT informed approaches. For clients who are interested in a more holistic element, I can also integrate Reiki.
How I can help
People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, and you don't need to have a diagnosis or even know exactly what is wrong.
I regularly work with people experiencing anxiety and overthinking, low mood and depression, low self-esteem, trauma and difficult past experiences, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, people-pleasing and problems setting boundaries, OCD, panic and phobias, emotional overwhelm and difficulty managing emotions.
"I know something needs to change, but I don't really know where to begin"
How I work
My style is warm, collaborative and grounded.
CBT can help us understand the connections between your thoughts, emotions, physical responses and behaviour, and why certain patterns can become difficult to change.
But understanding the pattern is only part of the therapy.
Many people I work with have spent years being very hard on themselves. There may be a strong inner critic, feelings of shame or inadequacy, or a belief that they should be coping better than they are.
Rather than simply trying to challenge or get rid of those feelings, we can become curious about where they came from and help you develop a more balanced and compassionate relationship with yourself.
Therapy can therefore involve both understanding what keeps difficulties going now and making sense of the experiences that helped shape them in the first place.
I am a fully qualified CBT therapist with a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Groupwork. I have experience supporting people with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues.
I have 2 years' experience within a leading bereavement charity, and I also volunteer in a crisis centre, where I've been supporting individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts for over 3 years.
This is work I care deeply about. It has given me a real appreciation of how overwhelming things can feel, and how important it is to have someone alongside you who listens, understands, and helps you feel less alone.
I offer a consistent, supportive space and aim to respond to enquiries promptly, with initial appointments often available within a short time-frame.
I am a registered member of BACP and a member of COSCA and I work in line with their professional and ethical frameworks.
Taking the next step
Finding a therapist can feel surprisingly difficult. Qualifications and experience matter, but so does finding someone you feel comfortable talking to.
For that reason, I offer a free 20 minute initial consultation.
It gives us an opportunity to talk briefly about what has brought you to therapy, for you to ask me any questions, and for us both to consider whether working together feels like a good fit.
There is no obligation to book ongoing therapy afterwards.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified CBT therapist with a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy & Groupwork. Alongside my private practice, my experience includes two years supporting people through grief and bereavement with a leading Scottish charity, and more than three years working within Chris's House, which is a suicide prevention and crisis centre.
Through this work, I have supported people experiencing some very difficult periods in their lives. I have particular experience of working with anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, grief and trauma, as well as OCD, health anxiety, panic, phobias and PTSD.
My approach is trauma-informed, and I understand that our experiences, relationships and past can shape how we think, feel and cope in the present. Although my core training is in CBT, I don't believe therapy should feel like a textbook or a set of exercises. I work collaboratively and adapt therapy to the individual, taking time to understand what is happening for you and what you would like to change.
I have also completed additional training in trauma-informed practice and hold a Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling. I continue to develop my knowledge through ongoing professional development, regular clinical supervision and reflective practice.
A note about crisis support: I have considerable experience of supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts and emotional distress, and this can be explored safely within therapy. However, my private practice is not a crisis or emergency service.
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.
COSCA is the professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in Scotland, and seeks to advance all forms of counselling and psychotherapy and the use of counselling skills by promoting best practice and through the delivery of a range of sustainable services. COSCA Counsellor Accreditation is a pathway to entry onto the UKRC. It is a requirement of all individual and organisational members of COSCA to abide by its Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice and be accountable to the Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £55.00 for a therapeutic hour. If Reiki is combined, then the price is £80.00 for an hour and a half.
Concessions may be available, please ask if you think you may be eligible.
When I work
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Further information
I have a background in the corporate world, and have raised my own family. As such I am well versed in the complexities of family life and meeting the expectations of employers, alongside all the challenges that life throws along the way.
I take a person centred approach to therapy, and offer both Reiki and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help clients overcome their difficulties and move forward to reach their wellbeing goals and aspirations. Every therapy treatment is as unique as the individual seeking help. Reiki is of course, optional however it is a wonderfully relaxing treatment, and I have witnessed the benefits it offers on many occasions.
