Katharine Allen
Registered Member MBACP (Accredited)
Contact information
- Phone number
- 07734 059777
Therapist - Richmond upon Thames
Features
- Flexible hours available
- Wheelchair accessible office
- Concessionary rates
About me and my therapy practice
I have sessions during the day and evening. I have several low cost sessions available for students and those less able to afford counselling. I have experience in general counselling, using both person centred, psychodynamic and Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed theories. I use CBT based therapy and EMDR to work with trauma. I also use attachment focused therapy to work with relationship issues and self esteem.I see clients in person, online or a combination of both. Since Covid I have been offering online therapy and have found this highly effective. I also offer EMDR online. I am experienced in providing safe, empathic and successful therapy in this way. We can discuss the best way for us to work together on our first call.
I am experienced in working with people with a history of trauma. This could be something that lasted years such as childhood or domestic abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, bullying and military trauma or a one off event such as an accident, rape or attack. I use safe, proven methods of working with trauma including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). These methods are effective at decreasing trauma symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive images and thoughts, nightmares, anxiety, panic and anger. Trauma and PTSD can be debilitating and shameful but they don't have to be. The aim of trauma therapy is to leave the trauma in the past and live a full, productive life with healthy relationships.
I have extensive experience working with bereavement through working at Cruse Bereavement Care and the Samaritans with individuals and in groups. I also have medical knowledge having trained and worked as a GP. Psychological issues can manifest in physical symptoms and physical ailments can cause severe psychological distress. I can help with both.
I also see clients with other psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, low self esteem and relationship issues.
Practice description
I have a private office at my address. I work with colleagues who have offices at different locations.
My first session
On our first session I will assess whether I can help you and you can see if you are comfortable working with me. I will ask you general questions to assess your needs. I do not ask in depth questions about trauma in the first session because this can be too difficult and re-traumatising. We may work on stabilisation techniques in the first session if anxiety is a major issue. You are free to ask me questions about my way of practising. It takes courage to come to counselling and I am an empathetic, non-judgemental listener. We will work at your pace and I will allow you the space to find the answers you need. Sometimes old patterns of behaving are no longer useful and we will look at how these can be changed. I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you have. I usually set up a telephone call first before we meet in person to discuss any questions you might have and to get an idea what you'd like to come to therapy for.
What I can help with
Abuse, AIDS/HIV, Anger management, Anxiety, Bereavement, Cancer, Cultural issues, Depression, Health related issues, Identity issues, Infertility, Loss, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy related issues, Redundancy, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Service veterans, Sexual identity, Stress, Trauma, Women's issues, Work related issues
Types of therapy
CBT, EMDR, Humanistic, Integrative, Person centred, Psychodynamic
Clients I work with
Adults, EAP, Older adults, Young people
How I deliver therapy
Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy, Short-term face-to-face work, Telephone therapy