Welcome
A confidential space to explore the thoughts, feelings and challenges in your life
COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS
Welcome, and thank you for visiting.
My name is Karen and I am a counsellor based in Hitchin. I also provide remote counselling online and via phone.
I am a trained person centred therapist and registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work within their Ethical Framework guidelines to ensure I work with integrity and professionalism. I am committed to ensuring I am on a continuous journey of personal and professional development. Part of my work as a therapist is to keep up to date with relevant reading, research and CPD training.
You might have been 'thinking' about seeking help for sometime but knowing where to start can be confusing - even overwhelming. I hope you find my page helpful. Please read on to find out more about how I can support you on your counselling journey.
HOW CAN COUNSELLING HELP?
As a person centred counsellor I aim to offer you, the client, a consistently safe and confidential space - in other words a place where you can really explore and reflect on what's going on for you. I am warm and empathetic and will listen without judgment. Counselling isn't a 'quick fix' and I won't be offering 'advice'. I won't be trying to 'fix' you.
Sometimes we find ourselves overwhelmed by life's events and find ourselves unable to take action or make positive decisions. What I can offer is support and encouragement for you to find clarity and understanding of where you find yourself right now. I will foster your independence and empowerment in finding your own resolutions on how best you can move forward in more positive way. I'm in this journey with you. You don't have to feel alone.
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Panic attacks
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Abuse
Depression
Problems with confidence or self-esteem
Anger management
Issues relating to sexuality
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Problems with family or friends
Navigating health issues
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
Counselling takes place in a safe, calm, therapeutic space. Whether that's face to face or on the phone I will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
Allowing yourself regular time to talk, share and offload in a safe space can be transformative - the ultimate self care you can gift yourself. Counselling can increase our self confidence and help us feel less overwhelmed and more in control of our feelings and behaviours.
Moving forward in a positive way
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing and help you explore where you have found yourself currently. With greater understanding and increased self awareness you can start to make different more positive life choices moving forward.
CONTACT ME
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07957 263251 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
If sending an email please check for my email replies in your junk mail.
LOCATION
I see clients face-to-face in central Hitchin. There are many accessible carparks close by. I also offer sessions online and via telephone.
FEES & AVAILABILITY
The cost of each 50 minute session is £45.00. Payment is expected in advance of the scheduled session and can be made via BACS transfer or cash. Notice of cancellation of a scheduled session should be given no less than 24 hours otherwise the full fee may be invoiced.
Our sessions can take place face to face, online or via the phone. I can offer flexibility around your schedule by offering sessions during the day and into the evening.
FREE INITIAL CALL
I offer a free 20 minute initial telephone call so we can introduce ourselves, allow time for questions and discuss whether we can work together. If making an enquiry I aim to respond within 48 hours. Please check junk mail as sometimes my replies might find their way there!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Essentially they are the same thing and I offer both.
"Counselling" is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and a way forward becomes clearer. "Therapy" often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a longer-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Everyone's counselling experience and journey is unique to them.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a short number of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.When we begin our work together we will have an open discussion around the number of sessions we might anticipate will be beneficial. Regular progress and review check ins of our sessions will be built in to our time together.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial chat - within a few days. How quickly we can start our sessions will depend on our joint availability but I aim to offer sessions within a couple of weeks.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of our sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
More detailed information around confidentiality is explained in the client/counsellor working contract and will be discussed in our first session to ensure full understanding and transparency.
© Karen Kennedy
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