Why choose me?
I am an experienced, skilled and well qualified hypnotherapist with an additional career history in frontline NHS healthcare, including over 20 years in Midwifery practice.
I am knowledgable and experienced in relation to human health, healthcare systems, psychology, pregnancy, birth & parenting and relationships.
I am professional, respectful, experienced, compassionate and calm.
I aim to support people to recover and make important changes in as few sessions as possible, quickly and efficiently, but never so they feel rushed or pressured.
I specialise in working with women and couples in relation to pregnancy, birth, parenting, family life and relationships
I hope that you will look back on your experience of counselling & hypnotherapy with me as transformative.
It can be hard to address a problem which perhaps one part of us would rather not look at or talk about. Sometimes it’s about having the time to find the right support. As you are here now and as I can help with many problems, please contact me to find out more or book a no charge 15 min introductory call.
How can I help?
Counselling and hypnotherapy are known to be beneficial in addressing many health and behavioural problems such as anxiety, depression, fears & phobias, addiction, panic attacks, PTSD, anger management, and can reduce stress, improve sleep, reduce chronic pain and remove blocks to success.
Counselling and hypnotherapy can also provide valuable support during major life changes (such as moving away to University, becoming a parent, grieving), as well as support related to pregnancy, birth and parenting, family life and relationships.
It’s often so helpful to talk things through, having someone listen and understand. Counselling & hypnotherapy can also support people to –
process and recover from negative past experiences which may be affecting life now
‘see’ or understand aspects of life and ourselves in new ways
gain information and insight
build our resources and resilience
feel stronger and more positive
visualise & rehearse change and success
shift our ‘mindset’.
My approach includes Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, Human Givens (HG) therapy and Havening.
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic approach which uses ‘hypnosis’, a state of relaxed awareness and focused attention, in which we are more open to learning or ‘updating’ our understanding, thoughts, beliefs and behaviour. Hypnotherapy uses a range of simple yet clever techniques to communicate with the ‘subconscious’ mind (the seat of our core beliefs, ‘automatic’ responses and ways of experiencing life and the world). Clients are always in control and most people find the experience of hypnosis to be relaxing and supportive of positive change. I also use several rapid change techniques based on NLP, and an effective technique called ‘Havening’ for trauma, anxiety based problems and more.
HG therapy has a ‘real world’ approach related to our fundamental needs and resources as human beings. If our needs are met in balance most of the time we will be healthy, if not, we will likely become mentally or physically unwell. If we are well resourced, we will usually cope better with life’s challenges. I will listen and give you space to talk, support you to review your problem/s or situation, your needs and your resources, to explore solutions and make any changes that you decide to make.
What I offer
Solution focused therapy
Support to recover from anxiety and depression, panic attacks, fears and phobias, addiction. Support with anger, parenting issues, grief, trauma or any ongoing life problem which you would like to change. My approach includes information about the brain and nervous system (based on recent neuroscience), and a general health assessment with information related to this as required.
Sometimes patterns, experiences or adaptations from the past can cause issues in the present, negatively impacting us, our lives and relationships. It’s usually helpful to consider whether there are relevant pattern matches to past experiences, allowing us to understand our behaviour and reactions. Increasing our self awareness and resolving remaining emotional components of past experiences frees up energy and opens our minds to seeing things differently and being more flexible.
Whilst we may consider pattern matches from your past, we will mostly remain in the present to explore solutions which will support you in your life now.
Trauma therapy
Support with recovery from symptoms of trauma and PTSD. Up to date, effective techniques for rapid recovery and moving on. Trauma recovery may form part of a series of therapy initiated for other reasons. Clients do not have to talk about past traumatic situation/s if they prefer, the re-processing techniques I use work in such a way that this is not required.
I have expertise in helping people recover from pregnancy & birth related trauma. I am experienced in two approaches, ‘Birth Story Listening’ and the ‘Rewind Technique’, and work with people during pregnancy or after birth (months or years later). Birth trauma can negatively impact our mental health, relationships and parenting. Please don’t struggle on feeling alone or hopeless, I can help you compassionately and quickly.
I have a special interest in relational and attachment trauma and work in a ‘trauma informed’ way. I have recently trained in ‘Havening’, a clever trauma re-processing technique which is becoming more established and showing very positive results as reported by many who experience it (including myself).
Couples Therapy / Mediation
Support to navigate a difficult time in a relationship. Learn new skills to improve your relationships and relate better. For couples, co-parents, family members, parent and teen, friendships.
The inter-personal space (between people) is where (not uncommonly) conflict and other difficulties arise. I am curious about this, and wonder what’s going on under the surface. Sometimes it’s pattern matches to the past resulting in anger, confusion or some other emotional reaction. High emotion reduces our ability to remain fully present, and to solve problems intelligently and creatively. Sometimes there are unhealthy relational dynamics (or a history of this), and boundary transgressions which benefit from greater awareness and discussion.
Conflict in life is normal and inevitable as we each strive to meet our human needs. Unhealthy or ongoing conflict can be very damaging to human health and relationships, as well as to children, negatively impacting their development. Addressing conflict can allow change and resolution to begin, it is a very positive step to seek support. If you are struggling in a relationship (or in relationships in general), I can help you, take a step and contact me today.
“I found Karen to be easy to talk to, she really listened to understand my situation and difficulties. Karen gave me interesting and useful information, helped me to recover from some negative experiences, and supported me to improve several aspects of my life. My course of therapy with Karen was professional, focused on my needs, and good value for money. Highly recommend for anyone needing support with an aspect of life or health which they want to change or cope better with”
Mum and Musician, Bristol
Take a step
Complete the form to ask a question or book in for a free 15 minute introductory call. We can have this call within 1 week of your enquiry, first full appointment availability is 2-3 weeks. I reserve some time each week for urgent appointments, please let me know if you are in urgent need of support.
I will respond to enquiries within 24 hours on weekdays.
I work in person in Bristol (UK) and online.
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