Karen began her training in 2005 receiving her Dip HE in Counselling with commendation in 2008. Since then she has accumulated an extensive and varied range of qualifications in the field of counselling. Karen has gained vast experience working with a diverse range of issues both within a community and prison setting and provides services to people of all ages. As a member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy), Karen adheres to their ethical guidelines of practice and has enhanced clearance from Access NI to work with, amongst others, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Most recently Karen has completed Practitioner Training from National Centre for Eating Disorders allowing her to develop her practice in supporting people with issues in body image, shape, weight and eating. Coupled with her passion for working with trauma, abuse and mental health, Karen has developed her own integrative style of working with clients on a case by case basis. Each person brings a unique set of complexities that require an individual and distinctive approach that is tailored to their needs.
Karen has a broad work base and personal background that complements and equips her with a vast resource of experiences that are invaluable to her as a therapist working within the therapeutic arena and within the restorative and criminal justice sectors. She continuously updates her knowledge and thinking and has myriad experience working with trauma, child sexual abuse and sexual assault as well as being trained to deal with anxiety-based disorders and the aftermath of suicide. Karen is also a GoE approved EFT Master Practitioner.
Karen believes that therapy allows clients to have a space in which they can explore their inner self without fear of judgement and derision. Summoning the courage to enter therapy about what is distressing us can be extremely difficult, but also the most powerful step towards improving our overall wellbeing. Karen has a firm belief that counselling is an investment in self, allowing the space and time to explore the root cause of day to day difficulties in life. Counselling helps the client understand these issues more clearly and provides ways to move on and to feel connected again.
Professional Qualifications Include:
Dip HE in Counselling (with commendation)
PG Dip in Counselling and Therapeutic Communications (with distinction)
PG Cert in Restorative Practices/Harm, Loss and Grief/Attachment and Coping Strategies
CPCAB Level 5 Working with Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Violence
OCN Level 3:
- An Introduction to Psychological Trauma and Addiction
- Brief Interventions for Substance Misuse – Practitioners
- Principles of Tackling Substance Misuse
- Building Capacity for Peaceful Change – Mediation Training
Master Practitioner in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders & Obesity
