Karen Woods

I work flexible hours as I know it can sometimes be hard to access counselling due to work/childcare requirements. We can discuss this when you contact for an initial appointment.

Sessions are available Monday - Saturday morning and are for 60 minutes.

 I will aim to respond to enquiries within 48 hours, however it will usually be quicker.

Hello, I’m Karen.

Thank you for looking at my profile to see if I can support you.

I offer face-to-face, online, phone and walk-and-talk counselling.

In my practice I offer an accepting environment to explore experiences that are often complex, sometimes confusing, and always personal. 

To be with you to help you understand yourself in the context of your life.

  For online sessions, a strong and secure internet connection, and a device that has a camera (preferably a laptop or tablet, but mobile phones can also work if placed on a stable stand) and a confidential space is needed.

I am a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, and clinically supervised and accredited member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy). I have an enhanced DBS certification to work with both adults and children; and full personal indemnity insurance. The work is carried out in accordance with the BACP code of ethics.

I am trained in several counselling approaches, including Transactional Analysis (four years of Advanced Clinical Training), DBT, breath work, bereavement and loss; and creative therapy, which brings together the integration of seven art forms with the spoken word. My other specialist qualifications include trauma focused therapy, online and telephone counselling, and working with couples.

Many people find Transactional Analysis appealing as it promotes an equal relationship between client and therapist, in which the client is encouraged to focus on their commitment to change.

I have a lot of experience working with trauma; domestic abuse, bereavement; loss, sudden and traumatic death, ageing and identity; and fully understand the impact that trauma can cause.

I work on an open ended basis for an agreed period of time; and offer short term term goal and psycho educational driven work.

I work with individuals and couples, tailoring the work to support different personalities; backgrounds; needs and strengths; to meet you where you are at in each session.

I work with Neurodiversity; and couples where one partner is Neurodivergent and the other is Neurotypical.

Together, we may spend one or more sessions learning about you in order to understand your concerns, and then create a treatment strategy based on your goals. 

How long therapy takes depends on your specific needs. Your response to counselling will be unique. The number of sessions can be negotiated at the beginning of counselling work or can be left open-ended to be reviewed as we work together. 

Collaboration is the key because both of us need to be invested in achieving your goals.

I blend elements from different approaches and tailor your treatment according to your need. Regular attendance, usually on a weekly basis, is important for effective therapy. Together, we will develop a strong working relationship, using realistic goals. 

I offer a free 20 minute consultation for us to connect and together explore your needs and goals.

If you wish to proceed with counselling; at our first session we will discuss our working agreement and go through some of your details; taking some more information; and creating an assessment of your needs.

 I will also ask you some questions to understand more about your needs and go through documentation (GDPR, Agreement). A series of questions about your mood will be sent to you before your session, and these can be discussed within the first session.