Karen Bateson

Looking for a space that welcomes neurodiversity? Searching for a therapist who can safely adapt their practice around your needs? Tired of feeling less than, broken or like an imposter? Exhausted from feeling guilty, ashamed, worried, scared, sad, numb, angry or having wildly fluctuating moods? Fed up with feeling hopeless, distressed, lost or stuck?   Wondering just how much more pain you will have to bear? Certain that something has to change but have no idea what or how? 

I am a BACP-accredited talking therapist trained to use a relational-dynamic model where the therapy relationship is used an avenue for change and to discover how the past might affect the present. I am also a creative arts therapist trained to use visual art as an alternative means of communication.

As a late-diagnosed AuDHD woman, I understand that communication can often feel hard. I know that there are ways through that. Reflection can take more than one form.

My experience

I have worked in therapeutic roles with a range of organisations in the north and south of England covering presenting problems from relationship difficulties, health-related issues and loss to anxiety, depression, recovery, bi-polar disorder, PTSD and borderline personality disorder, as well as neurodiversity in all its forms.

My Background

I began my working life as an administrator, trained as an artist, worked for arts organisations for a while and then supported neurodiverse students with study skills and through mentoring in the university system prior to, and alongside, training as a talking therapist. I have accessed a range of therapies as a client, including psychodynamic, relational, art therapy and group analysis.

Qualifications

​​​​PG Dip Therapeutic Arts - University of South Wales (2024)

Foundation Certificate in Groupwork - Group Analysis South West (2021)

​MA Psychotherapy and Counselling - University of Leeds (2018)

Dip HE (Open) inc. Psychology, Counselling and Mental Health - Open University (2014)

PG Dip Visual and Verbal Representation in Britain 1840-1940 - University of Reading (2003)

​BA Fine Art - C&GCHE (1997)

Publications

​​​​Article, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 2020 (Topic - loss)

Paper Presentation, BACP Research Conference, Belfast, 2019 (Topic - informed consent)

Poster Presentation, BACP Research Conference, London, 2018 (Topic - informed consent)

I work with adults who are in distress as a result of difference, trauma and any challenging life experience or anyone actively seeking change. 

I usually begin with a pretherapy assessment and co-created formulation process to help us think about your presenting problem, your history, what you want to work on and how you want to work. This often takes two sessions, sometimes more. When we move into your therapy work, you can work short-term to a clear fixed target or longer term to help you work at depth on a range of goals.

I use outcome measures (core-om) to monitor clinical change and a regular reviewing process to check our progress, identify what you are finding helpful and to look at what I might need to change. 

Payment for sessions is made by bank transfer in advance of each session.

I am BACP-accredited and eligible to apply to be a provider for your insurance company cover.