Meet Karen
As a psychotherapist and psychotherapeutic counsellor in Essex, my work is rooted in compassion, experience and a deep understanding of how human beings grow, change and heal. Tree of Life Therapies was created as a safe and calm place where clients can explore their inner world with someone who listens carefully, holds their story with respect and supports meaningful emotional transformation. I work with adults, young people and individuals seeking emotional clarity, balance and recovery after difficult experiences.
For many years, I have worked as a psychotherapist in Essex, a trauma-informed practitioner and a trauma therapist, offering support across a wide range of emotional experiences, including anxiety, depression, self-worth concerns and long-standing emotional patterns. My approach is shaped by a blend of therapeutic qualifications, life experience and a commitment to counselling and psychotherapy that honours each person’s emotional journey.
I completed a three-year higher diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapeutic Counselling, followed by advanced certificates in weight loss support and past life regression. My desire to understand emotional well-being more deeply led me to complete a first-class BA degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling.
I am an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), which ensures that my work meets the highest ethical standards upheld by professional counsellors and psychotherapists.
with the EMDR Academy UK
in Psychotherapy and Counselling
in Past Life Therapy
in trauma-informed approaches
This combination of clinical training, trauma-focused work and holistic practices allows me to support clients using approaches that honour both mind and body. I work with adults, individuals, couples and clients with a wide variety of emotional needs, offering support through both face-to-face and online sessions.
Meet Karen
My path into psychotherapy/counselling has not been traditional, and each part of it has shaped the therapist I am today.
After finishing school, I began working in banking, but it quickly became clear that it did not align with my strengths or passions. I longed for something more human, and this led me to travel and live abroad. After several years in Australia and further travelling, I returned home with a wider perspective on people, connections and mental health.
I later retrained as a personal trainer and Pilates instructor, working closely with clients in demanding corporate environments. I enjoyed supporting others, but there was always a deeper emotional component to the work that drew me in. Over time, I felt a strong pull towards something more meaningful.
This calling eventually led me to work in a men’s prison, running a reading mentoring scheme. It was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I met individuals facing significant emotional, psychological and practical challenges, many shaped by traumatic events across their lives.
Within this environment, I learned extensively about resilience, fear, hope and the human psyche. The men I worked with often sought me out for emotional support, and over the years, I came to understand that what I offered was more than guidance. It was talking therapy, relational connection and compassionate presence. This experience provided something many people never receive: genuine, non-judgmental peer support.
The time I spent there revealed clearly that my vocation was to train formally in psychotherapy and begin work as a trauma therapist supporting those affected by trauma, anxiety, depression and relational difficulties, including relationship problems.
After I qualified as a therapist I work for Rape Crisis as a trauma therapist and enjoyed 7 years in this field before finally working solely in private practice.
Alongside my clinical training, I also work as a holistic health practitioner offering Reiki and Past Life Regression. These methods allow clients to explore emotional and energetic patterns that may sit beneath conscious awareness.
Some clients choose traditional psychotherapy and trauma therapy, while others prefer to integrate holistic approaches. The choice always belongs to you, and I am here to help you explore what feels aligned with your personal healing journey.
You can learn more about these options on the Reiki and Past Life Regression page.
Helping people has always felt like a natural part of who I am. Whether someone is trying to understand themselves more deeply, release old emotional patterns, overcome anxiety, depression or heal trauma, being invited into their story is a privilege.
I believe change becomes possible when someone feels supported, seen and accepted without judgment. My aim is to provide the kind of safe and confidential therapeutic relationship that allows this to happen.
Clients often say that therapy helps them understand why they feel the way they do, why patterns repeat and how to build a life that feels more grounded. Witnessing this growth is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.
I offer individual therapy for adults and young people across Essex, including online, telephone and face-to-face sessions. My work includes supporting those who have lived through traumatic events, relationship difficulties, emotional instability and long-term stress.
If you are unsure which type of therapy is right for you, we can explore options together. Whether you are drawn to psychotherapy, EMDR, hypnotherapy or holistic healing, support is available in a calm, confidential space that respects your pace and emotional needs.
My therapeutic approach is gentle and integrative, built from a range of approaches including psychodynamic work, person-centred therapy, EMDR, hypnotherapy and mind-body-based practices. This flexibility allows me to create a safe and confidential space tailored to each client’s emotional needs and history.
My practice is based on the belief that therapy is not simply about reducing symptoms but about understanding the whole person. Many clients come to therapy after a traumatic experience, overwhelming stress, loss or long-term emotional patterns that affect day-to-day life.
Whether someone seeks support for anxiety, depression, self-worth issues or recovery after traumatic events, my aim is to offer a therapeutic relationship that helps them feel grounded, capable and understood.
I work in a confidential space where clients can explore thoughts, feelings and memories at their own pace. The therapeutic relationship is central to this work, offering a consistent and supportive foundation for emotional healing.
If you would like to understand more about my therapeutic methods, you can visit the Psychotherapy and EMDR page, which explains how EMDR and trauma therapies support recovery.
If you are considering therapy, something within you is already seeking healing, clarity or change. You do not need to have everything figured out. Simply reaching out is a significant and brave step.
When you feel ready, I am here to offer gentle, professional support as a psychotherapist in Essex and trauma-informed practitioner.
Book a session or contact me with any questions.
Your well-being matters, and you do not have to walk this path alone.
As a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor in Essex, I offer individual sessions that help you explore thoughts, feelings and emotional patterns in a calm and confidential space. My work includes psychotherapy, trauma therapy, EMDR and holistic approaches that support emotional clarity and well-being. Sessions move at your pace and focus on helping you feel grounded, understood and supported throughout your therapeutic journey.
Yes. As a trauma therapist, and Psychotherapeutic counsellor in Essex. I support clients who have experienced traumatic events or long-term emotional distress. I use EMDR, grounding techniques and trauma-informed approaches to help the brain process difficult memories safely. The work is gradual and gentle, so emotional safety is protected throughout therapy, allowing you to move forward with greater confidence.
Therapy can help with anxiety, depression, low self-worth, relationship concerns and the emotional effects of traumatic events. Many people come because something feels unmanageable or confusing. Having a safe and confidential space to explore what is happening allows you to understand yourself more clearly and develop healthier emotional patterns at a steady pace.
Yes. Alongside counselling and psychotherapy, I offer holistic support such as Reiki and Past Life Regression. Some clients choose to combine these with talking therapy to support emotional, energetic and spiritual wellbeing. You are always welcome to explore whichever approach feels most helpful for your personal growth and inner balance.
Yes. I work with adults and young people, offering calm and age-appropriate support. Young clients often benefit from having someone outside their daily life to talk to, especially when emotions feel overwhelming or difficult to express. Sessions focus on safety, trust and helping them feel understood and more confident in themselves.
Yes. I offer online, telephone and face-to-face sessions so you can choose the format that feels most comfortable. Each option provides the same level of care, guidance and confidentiality, and you are welcome to switch between formats if your needs change or if life becomes busier. If you would like to arrange a session or ask any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.
