Karen -Experienced qualified counsellor. Diploma in therapeutic counselling.

Member of the NCPS(Acc)

Hello I would like to introduce myself and give you some background. I qualified in 1985 as an aestheticienne then in 1986 in aromatherapy. I had my own practice and believe in the value of the alternative therapy approach. When I had my children, I took a break. This then took me in a new direction, I studied to gain qualifications  in supporting young people through various issues within school and personal life.

I started work in a primary school moving on to a secondary school where I worked for over 14 years; supporting students to year 11, some of whom had learning difficulties and disabilities. This included helping them over come barriers to learning which often means working closely with them on personal issues which affected their ability to work in school, this has included things such as anger management, self harm, improving self esteem, anxiety, bereavement etc. As a learning mentor I helped run the online counselling service offered by relate, as well as seeing students on a weekly 1-1 basis to discuss their issues and progress. I worked closely with the educational psychologist and ran small groups focusing on feelings and anxiety.

Through helping students with difficult events in their lives I then decided I wanted to train as a counsellor.  I have since volunteered for a charity that offers counselling to adults often with complex needs, who couldn’t otherwise access counselling due to low income.

The issues have been varied such as addictions, anxiety, depression, childhood issues, abuse, and bereavement.

I training with cruse bereavement and worked with some clients from their waiting list on a voluntary basis. Further training has been with the foundation for Infant Loss.     

I have been running my own private practice since 2016 offering 1-1 counselling for individuals, couples, young people as well as working with groups. I have developed and run a Loss & Bereavement group in conjunction with Oakwood Surgery Practice Practice Health Champions, who secured funding from the big Lottery fund. My practice has expanded and I now support student counsellors through their training by offering placements to enable them to complete the 100 hrs required for them to qualify. In addition I have a number of qualified counsellors who offer counselling sessions at a reduced cost, as we are aware there are many people waiting for counselling we can provide alternative options.

Further to counselling I also offer supervision for professionals. My supervision training was at the Manchester institute of psychotherapy.

Training:

• Diploma in therapeutic counselling
• Working with Special Needs ie Autism, ADHD, Learning difficulties & emotional issues.
• Learning mentor
• Awareness in Bereavement Care with Cruse Bereavement
• Cruse bereavement
• Pregnancy & Infant Loss
• Safeguarding
• Aromatherapy
• L7 Supervision training

I am also:

• DBS checked
• A Member of the NCPS and adhere to their ethical framework, which means adhering to regular supervision and attending professional development courses.
• Insured

I have experience of

• Running social & emotional groups for, self-esteem and general support groups to help overcome fear & anxiety, gain confidence and deal with emotions and other issues.
• Working along side an educational psychologist to deliver CBT to individuals and groups.
• Voluntary counselling at a charitable organisation, for over 2 years, working with adults suffering from anxiety, depression, childhood issues, abuse relationship problems, bereavement and much more.
• Voluntary work with Cruse Bereavement
• Private Practice
• Practicing Aromatherapy massage and the use of oils

Further Training

• Laughter therapy
• Mindfulness
• FEAR model for anxiety
• GamCare-supporting people with gambling addiction
• Couples counselling
• Supervision-seven eyed model
• Rewind therapy – specifically dealing with trauma, PTSD & phobia
• Transactional Analysis 101
• A place for forgiveness
• Working creatively in counselling
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding children and young peoples mental health.
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism