Karen Barker

I work flexible hours to suit different working patterns between 08.00hrs and 19.00hrs Monday to Friday. Please contact me for current availability.

Hello, I’m Karen at Calm Connect Counselling. I am a qualified integrative relational counsellor and psychotherapist. I believe each person is the expert on their own unique life experiences and their relationship to themselves and others.

Sometimes we just feel disconnected and too busy in life and find ourselves struggling and unable to share this with our friends or family.

We can navigate these natural changes, challenges or losses that occur in life, along with those more difficult experiences that sometimes blindside us.

We can talk through, explore, and process those thoughts, feelings, and experiences that can overwhelm us together in a caring, professional therapeutic relationship, especially with another compassionate, open-minded person to accompany us on that journey.

When it seems too hard to face alone, we can find some relief from the mental and emotional weight that we sometimes carry in life, sometimes for a long time. We don’t always know what is affecting us and our relationships with others and preventing us from feeling connected; we just know something doesn’t feel right deep inside.

I have a comfortable, relaxed therapy room at home, with a warm welcome, where I try to promote safety and trust, with the BACP ethical framework and collaborate with you in a non-judgmental, inclusive, intersectional and anti-oppressive stance, to build the best way of working with you.

Whether you would like to join me in person, online or on the phone, please contact me in the first instance by email or leave me a voicemail with your details and availability, and I will call you back to book an initial free 20-minute phone consultation to see if we are the right fit for each other and collaboratively discuss the suitability of possible options and ways we might work together.

I work with you to strengthen your relationships and promote your emotional, physical, and mental health and well-being. Work can be in person, online, or by phone, depending on your circumstances and what suits your situation.

I work with you to explore what's bothering you and affecting you here and now. So you can process your thoughts and feelings with me empathetically, respectfully, and in line with each of our values. Without judgement, offering reflections and perspectives to help you move forward in a way that feels comfortable.

We're in this together; our relationship and how we interact, build trust and work with each other is the key to healing. Collaboration can make all the difference as we share the journey. By exploring your past and your unconscious processes, you can better understand and resolve your current problems and conflicts. We develop strategies together to improve your quality of life.

I support you in examining problems and conflicts within the context of your social environment and relationships to find solutions tailored to your individual needs. We do not exist in a vacuum. I open-heartedly welcome people of all identities, gender orientations, sexualities, spiritualities, and cultural experiences, recognising that no matter how competent I may be, I always learn from those I work with.

We can gain new perspectives and develop acceptance; come to terms with or find ways to cope with or improve your mental health, experience of loss, bereavement, grief, health conditions, difficulties in work, behaviours and patterns you would like to change, and difficulties in relationships. You may be aware of specific issues you want to work through with a trauma-informed practitioner, such as physical, mental, emotional, or sexual abuse, including historical domestic and childhood abuse. We don’t always know what is affecting us and our relationships with others or preventing us from feeling connected; we just know something doesn’t feel right inside.

I look forward to hearing from you and learning how I can support you on your journey.

Once you have contacted me, I will arrange a free 20-minute phone call with you to ensure we are the right fit for each other.