Karen Sismey

Appointments are available within the following hours:

Mondays: 9.30am - 3pm

Tuesdays: 9.30am - 3pm

Wednesdays: 9.30am - 3pm

Thursdays: 9.30am - 3pm

I am a Humanistic and Integrative counsellor and psychotherapist based in Warwickshire. I work with individual adults to support and guide them in dealing with issues affecting their emotional well-being and mental health. My humanistic and integrative approach encompasses an attitude of respect and empathy with an awareness of the relational nature of human beings. My approach is rooted in my understanding and belief that our individual experiences in relation to significant others, particularly during childhood, impacts our psychological development and emotional well-being.

I believe each and every one of us has the potential for growth and personal development. However, sometimes circumstances and experiences throughout life can hinder this process. I will work with you to explore and understand your difficulties, offering you a genuine, safe and supportive relationship in which to do this. From this you may experience new ways of being and identify and move towards healthier ways of being in relationship with yourself, others and life.

I trained at The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (Nottingham) and am fully qualified with a BSc Degree in Humanistic and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy awarded by Staffordshire University.  I have also completed a Certificate in A Relational Approach to the Treatment of Trauma at The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute.  I am a registered member and uphold the values and commitments of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

If you would like more information about me and my approach, or to make an appointment, please visit my website: www.karensismey.com, or contact me by telephone: 07480 063920 or email: enquiries@karensismey.com.

My therapeutic approach encompasses the following:

• My personal and professional perspective on human nature reflects a humanistic attitude.  I believe in the intrinsic value and potential for growth in every human being. My approach therefore fosters care and respect towards individual uniqueness and difference.

• I integrate a relational understanding of human psychology into my approach. The human need for meaningful connection with others is an innate need within all of us from the moment we are born and throughout life. It is in relationship with others that we learn our beliefs and expectations about ourselves, others, relationships and the world around us.
  

• I integrate an understanding of human development based on the theories of attachment theory, object-relations, self-psychology and developmental psychology. This recognises the significant impact of early childhood experiences in relationship to parents and primary care givers for the development of our psychological self.

• Respect, empathy, acceptance, transparency, attentive care and support.
  
• Your autonomy is important and will be encouraged throughout our work together. I do not work to a medical model, and will not therefore offer diagnosis. Instead I am interested in understanding you and your unique, personal experience.
  
• A holistic focus - exploring and seeking to integrate an awareness of your whole being, including your affective (feelings and emotions), cognitive (thoughts), behavioural and physiological experience.
  
• Attention to your relational needs and a commitment to be real and genuine as myself in relationship with you. 
  
• Space to explore and draw personal meanings in relation to your experiences from childhood and the impact of these on your current life.
  

Entering into counselling and psychotherapy is a big decision. It is important that you have the opportunity to acquire all the information you need about me and my approach, and that I have the opportunity to explore the personal circumstances, issues and needs that you are bringing to therapy, in order for each of us to decide if we are well suited to work with each other. 

Our first session together will therefore be an Assessment session, typically lasting for up to an hour. The assessment session is charged at my standard fee of £50.00.

Should we decide to progress with working together after the assessment session, we will agree a contract for the terms of our work, which will typically include a regular weekly commitment to attending counselling and psychotherapy sessions. Each weekly session lasts for fifty minutes.