Karen Ben

I have various slots available Monday-Thursday and can offer flexibility.

A warm welcome. Thank you for visiting my profile.

I’m Karen, an Integrative Therapeutic Counsellor who understands that life can be challenging and that it often takes courage to ask for help. I offer an empathic, confidential and non-judgemental space for us to explore together the difficulties you are facing.

As the client, you are the heart of our work and the expert in your life. My role is to help you explore your thoughts and feelings to help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your situation and so move forward.

My work with adult clients focuses on a range of issues, both long and short-term, including bereavement and loss, loss through suicide, family estrangement, general anxiety and depression, work anxiety, loneliness and isolation, general work and life stress, family and relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, self-criticism and feelings of shame and regret.

As well as my private practice I have gained extensive experience working with The Road Victims Trust where I supported victims and their families of fatal and serious road traffic collisions including drivers, witnesses and bereaved relatives and with Rennie Grove Hospice Care supporting people with life-limiting conditions, health challenges, carers and bereaved relatives.

My integrative training means I am able to draw on my knowledge of various counselling approaches which enables me to adapt our work to best fit your individual needs.

Suffering grief and loss can be overwhelming and confusing. My work in this area focusses on there being no right or wrong way to feel as it is a unique experience, and that it affects everyone differently. I can help you work through your feelings, and support you in adapting to a life that is very different without your loved one.  

I also have an interest in Compassion Focussed Therapy, which is an approach I have found very useful when supporting people from neglectful, critical and bullying backgrounds, which can result in feelings of high levels of shame and self-criticism. This approach focusses on encouraging self-compassion which can help alleviate anxiety and negative self-talk and promote self-acceptance.

I offer long-term and short-term weekly sessions. These currently take place face-to-face (with covid measures in place), online or by telephone.

I am also able to offer walk-and-talk therapy during daylight hours having completed training in this area. It is an alternative to working in a traditional therapy room and we would literally walk and talk outdoors in the natural environment. This is subject to it being appropriate for you, and would be discussed properly during the initial assessment session. 

Finding the right counsellor is very important, which is why I offer an initial free 30 minute phone consultation with no obligation to proceed further. Here I can answer any questions you may have about counselling, explain how I can support you and how we would work together if you wish to proceed. If we decide to go ahead I will explain more about our first assessment session and what this would involve.