Karen Cromwell

I can offer appointments in the morning, afternoon and evening.

I currently have available appointments and will respond within 24 hours to any enquiry.

Hi,  my name is Karen Cromwell and I鈥檓 a qualified counsellor and supervisor, with 30 years experience in private practice and 13 years in NHS. I am a registered member of 麻豆原创.  

During my 4 year training, I studied a variety of  therapeutic approaches, including person-centred, gestalt, CBT and solution focused; which enables me to work in the best way for you, depending on your goals. I also studied Stress Management, and teach this to individuals & organisations. I have a particular interest in helping clients understand the connection between the mind and the body, and I am passionate about supporting people in the practical application of stress management skills.

People often come to counselling feeling overwhelmed or anxious, they might be struggling with certain relationships, or find that they feel low or depressed and don鈥檛 really understand why.  I can help you learn specific ways of dealing with these challenges, and I can help you develop your self-awareness and strategies for dealing with whatever life brings.

With a warm and very personal approach, my intent is to help you see where you have choices in your life, and to help you develop the inner resources to deal with any problems or feelings whatever the cause. As  your counsellor, I am committed to offering you support, honesty and respect, in a safe, confidential environment; and within that atmosphere you have the opportunity to talk and be heard, with kindness, and without judgement.

Before studying counselling, I was already qualified in deep tissue massage, and I experienced how much people hold trauma and stress in their bodies.  As a result of this growing awareness, I felt I wanted to understand more about how to help people overcome their emotional difficulties, which if left unaddressed, would often result in physical symptoms.  One of my specialties now is teaching my clients strategies to release stress, tension and trauma held within the body; including how to switch off the stress response.

Counselling sessions with me last one hour, and cost 拢55.  Reduced rates are available if necessary.

I offer counselling in 3 different ways:

• Face to face with increased protection for Covid
  
• Online via Zoom or Teams
• Outdoors in nature - walk and talk

The first session is an opportunity to find out what you need and to see if you feel comfortable talking to me.  If you decide to continue, we can explore your reasons for coming, and perhaps identify some goals, which helps to set the focus for our time together.  

Feedback from recent clients:

鈥�Karen鈥檚 support has made the world of difference to me.  Her holistic approach has supported both my physical and mental health and has helped me to understand and appreciate my place in the universe.  She has provided me with the tools and techniques that I need to maintain my well-being on a daily basis.  When I needed it she provided a safe and comforting space to release pent-up emotion.  I couldn鈥檛 recommend her highly enough.鈥�  

Ruth, Shropshire

鈥淔rom the moment we met, I knew I was in safe hands.  Karen held me through my darkest days, guided me through my healing journey, and rejoiced in my growth.  We鈥檝e built one of the strongest relationships I have in my life; I know she wants what鈥檚 best for me, I鈥檝e never felt judged, and I can finally be my true self.  I will be grateful for Karen鈥檚 kind and loving presence in my life forever.鈥�

JR Shrewsbury

I have availability currently and usually I can offer sessions four days out of 5.  Happy to be flexible where I can.

Mornings, afternoons and early evening appointments available.

During my 4-year training, I studied a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Person-Centred, Gestalt, Cognitive, Bodywork and Solution-focused; which enables me to work in the best way for each person I meet, depending on your goals. I have a particular interest in helping clients understand the connection between the body and mind, and this is a valuable skill when working with any client who is holding stress, trauma and unresolved emotional pain in the body. I have experience of working psychodynamically, and I often use an integrative approach in my work, coming from a humanistic perspective.

I have a warm and personal approach, ensuring that supervision, although it is an ethical requirement of our profession, is also experienced as a vital part of taking care of yourself. Our sessions will help you increase your self-awareness, and enable you to continually learn, grow and flourish in your work.

I trained and qualified in the seven-eyed model of supervision (Shohet & Hawkins), an extremely versatile framework which is widely recognised and implemented across many helping professions. My wish is to offer you a safe and comfortable space to honour you, your clients and how you work; and provide you with the opportunity to reflect, explore and deepen your understanding of what is taking place in the therapeutic encounter. I will encourage you to focus on all the relevant relationships between client, therapist and supervisor; with curiosity, with an intent to uncover any unconscious gaps, and a willingness to be vulnerable.

In my own professional life, I have benefitted enormously from excellent supervision over 30 years, and the impact on myself and my work with clients has been profound. This is of course an ongoing process, and I'm fortunate still to have a warm and nurturing relationship with my own supervisor, a peer supervision group, and several supportive mentors, both personal and professional over 3 decades 鈥� their help and support has been invaluable with regard to my emotional wellbeing, & my personal growth as a human and as a therapist! I now wish to provide this valuable resource for other therapists, enabling you to grow and develop in your work; to feel inspired and supported, and above all, to feel passion and fulfilment in this challenging role.

Although I now work solely in private practice, I spent 13 years in NHS in GP practices. I ran a stress management clinic, and I have provided workplace stress management training across public, private and voluntary sectors over the last 25 years. I am a registered member of the 麻豆原创.