Karen J Williams
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Karen is an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist, EMDR therapist and trauma specialist, seeing clients in London W2 (Paddington), and London SW1 (Victoria). She is a graduate of the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in London. Karen is a member of BACP, a registered member of UKCP, and a member of the EMDR Association UK & Ireland. She abides by the codes of conduct and ethical practice of these associations.
Locations
London W2 and SW1.
My practice is based in London at Little Venice W2, which is near Paddington, and at rooms in Buckingham Palace Road SW1, near Victoria.
Please note that during the coronavirus crisis, I am not seeing clients in person but I continue to offer all services, including EMDR therapy, online.
Relational and Holistic Approach To Working With Clients
My approach to therapy is relational, holistic and trauma-aware. I offer a non-judgemental space where confidentiality, warmth and human kindness are key aspects of forming an effective therapeutic relationship.
My background as a trauma specialist includes a master's degree in psychological trauma and several years experience specialising in short and long-term trauma work. I'm a qualified and experienced EMDR therapist and bring this into the work when appropriate. I take referrals from psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as self-referrals, and am recognised as a provider by a number of private health insurance companies.
All my work is grounded in the person-centred approach, which respects the client's own experience of how things are for them. I'm strongly influenced by psychodynamics and Jungian ideas, but work cognitively or with the unconscious as appropriate. As a trauma specialist, I also bring into the work an awareness of the many ways that highly stressful or traumatic events and situations can affect people, including the profound effects that a lack of love and attention in childhood can have. I understand that an individual is influenced and affected by the many groups that they are part of - family, friends, work colleagues, cultural, and more.
Regularity of sessions is important as this facilitates the process of psychotherapy. Usually, sessions are once weekly, on the same day and at the same time each week, although there may be some flexibility when possible to accommodate work and other commitments. It is also possible to have more than one session a week, either temporarily or as a regular arrangement.
Training, qualifications & experience
Post-graduate Diploma in Transpersonal and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, CCPE, 2015.
MA Jungian and Post-Jungian Studies, University of Essex, 2016.
Completed all parts of EMDR Europe accredited basic training in EMDR therapy with The EMDR Academy, 2017. Member of The EMDR Association UK & Ireland, membership number W0338.
MSc Psychological Trauma, University of Chester, 2019.
Currently reading for MSc Psychology, University of Leicester.
In addition, Karen attends professional conferences and participates in short CPD courses regularly throughout the year.
Karen has wide experience in both short and long-term work with adult clients. She has worked for a number of agencies in and around London including over two years of voluntary counselling work with NHS patients in the IAPT service at a GP surgery. She continues to consult with private clients in London.
Specialises in Working with Depression, Anxiety, and Psychological Trauma
Karen’s special interests are the many manifestations of psychological trauma. These include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, PTSD and Complex PTSD (whether or not you have a formal diagnosis), borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, somatisation and medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), relationship issues, crisis intervention. In particular, she has wide experience of working with the kind of complex trauma that can result from abuse and/or neglect in childhood or adulthood. Karen also works one-to-one and with groups to facilitate self-development and personal growth from a transpersonal perspective.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
- Short-term counselling for personal crisis related to stress, depression, anxiety or trauma.
- Acute stress disorder and psychological trauma.
- Complex trauma resulting from abuse and/or neglect in childhood or adulthood.
- Therapy for personal growth and self-development.
Therapies offered
Fees
Additional information
I’d be pleased to discuss this with you as part of our initial contact. If you have private health insurance, we may be able to arrange for fees to be paid through your insurance. I am currently recognised as a provider by Aviva, AXA PPP, BUPA, Nuffield Health, and Vitality Health.
When I work
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - London W2 (Paddington)
Wednesday - London SW1 (Victoria)
