Karen Richards

Hi, my name is Karen. I am a sensitive, respectful and widely experienced therapist. I work with high standards of integrity and adhere to a professional code of ethics and good practice. My core model of therapeutic understanding is Psychodynamic, which is informed by additional trainings in the Systemic, Psychological First Aid (Trauma), Cognitive Behavioural (CBT), Interpersonal (IPT) Therapy and Relationship Counselling theoretical approaches. This allows my work with individuals to be flexible and adaptive in order to be most helpful to my clients. I am also a qualified Clinical Supervisor.

Just as everyone is unique, the length of the Counselling or Therapy can be tailored to match the need; whether you are limited for time, wish to focus on a particular difficulty or situation, or would prefer a deeper exploration requiring a longer period of support. Over the last 19 years my clinical practice has involved working with both individuals and couples in various settings and organisations (including the NHS and Relate), as well as in private practice. Alongside my clinical work with clients, I have also found providing clinical Supervision to Psychodynamic and Multi-disciplinary therapists, individually and in groups, to be an extremely rewarding experience.

Training & Experience:

I have trained in a wide variety of therapeutic approaches and worked clinically with a very diverse caseload of clients. I have worked as a Therapist and Supervisor in Charitable Community Counselling Centres, Schools, NHS, NCH alongside Social Services, Employee Assistance Programmes (as a manager and clinical supervisor, but also as an affiliate therapist), Relate Counselling Centres, GP practice within a very busy and challenging inner-city location. I hold a senior clinical position supporting a wide team of Counsellors based from GP practices, working throughout Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Additionally, I have many years of private practice in Hertford.

I have also worked as a Clinical Supervisor to Counsellors and Therapists during and after training. I have provided supervision to qualified practitioners in training in professional and charitable organisations, as well as in my private practice.

 My Qualifications

·       1998-2000: OCR Diploma Foundation and Certificate - Counselling
·       2000- 2002: University of Hertfordshire Diploma - Professional studies of Psychodynamic Counselling
·       2000-2002: WPF (Herts & Beds Counselling Foundation) Diploma - Psychodynamic Counselling
·       2002-2004: WPF (Herts & Beds C Foundation) Advanced Diploma - Psychodynamic Counselling
·       WPF (Herts & Beds Counselling Foundation) Advanced Certificate - Counselling Skills
·       2005-2006: Relate Central Office Fast Track - Couple Counselling (Systemic)
·       2006: Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. Post Grad course - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
·       2006: Herts & Beds in association with CID Training Diploma - Critical Incident Debriefing
·       2008: WPF (Herts & Beds Counselling Foundation) Diploma - Supervision of Psychotherapists
·       2013: University of Surrey, Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Trust - IAPT: Interpersonal Therapy

My Professional Memberships:

Insurance Companies I work with:

• Aviva

• Cigna

• BUPA

• AXA

• Nuffield Health

• Vitality

• WPA