I'm Karen, and I provide couples counselling, predominantly but not exclusively, for couples where one or both partners identify as Autistic, having ADHD, or both. Typically, people who seek my support are married or engaged and wanting pre-marriage counselling.
My approach is warm and personalised, with a focus on addressing your communication differences, and the results of mutual misunderstandings, i.e. bickering, ferocious arguments, withdrawal, and affairs, whilst repairing, and deepening your connection.
Using Imago Relationship Therapy, we will co-create a safe space where you can both be honest, you both feel heard, and valued.
If you are looking for a therapist who is well trained, experienced, and good at what they do, feel free to get in touch.
Well, if you are willing to attend regularly, and are committed to the process, both within AND between sessions, I can help you to:
I have worked successfully with a variety of issues, for instance: sexual, emotional and physical abuse, grief and loss, the impact of racism, affairs and strained relationships, alongside the search for meaning and direction in life. I often work with issues around identity.
My passion is transgenerational trauma; the passing of trauma between the generations of a family, and I often work with individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, and express their pain through anger, depression or high levels of anxiety.
“You may not control all of the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou
Couples counselling
I am a Relate trained Couples Counsellor. I am also an Imago Therapist, and now work exclusively with the dynamic and empowering model that is Imago Relationship Therapy.
My particular focus is couples who are committed to restoring their love relationship. It may feel as if your marriage is suddenly on the rocks after an affair, or, over time, the things that drew you to each other before marriage, now feel like intense sources of irritation. Your communication struggles may even feel like a mystery to you.
Through the Imago Dialogue process, we can co-create a safe space where you can both share your truths, feel heard, understood and valued, and where intimacy and love can grow.
Faith and spirituality are of particular interest to me, and I often have enquiries from Christians. I am not a Christian Counsellor, but I am a Christian who is trained to a high level in counselling and psychotherapy; if you would like our work to have a Biblical perspective, I can do that.
Some well-meaning people place a heavy burden on Christians, because they don't think that it is God's will to see a counsellor, whilst they might not question seeing a dentist for a toothache. Obviously, I don't share such a view, and will never judge anyone for seeking help.
You may stand at the pulpit battling depression, sit in the congregation struggling with anxiety, or it may even feel that pain has stifled your faith and you're done; whatever you are going through, you don't have to struggle alone.
In a world where we can be so busy 'doing': earning love and respect, and generally proving our worth, I provide a space where you can take the time to breathe and 'be'. As we work together, you can be many things: still, heard, real, understood, co-creative, accepted, you.
If you are ready to overcome your past, and rewrite what seemed to be an inevitable future, whilst growing in hope and resilience, get in touch and we can discuss your specific needs.
Online sessions mean that location is no longer a barrier, wherever you are, Manchester and beyond, I look forward to hearing from you. Help is available, so take that step and book a consultation, because your emotional well-being is worth the effort.
My name is Karen, and following a late diagnosis, I identify as neurodivergent. In practice, this means that I am good at thinking outside the box, and also at focusing on its contents!
I understand that it can be difficult acknowledging that you need to speak with a counsellor, after all, you may never have sought help before, let alone from a stranger. If you are neurodivergent, you may also be carrying the baggage of a lifetime of misunderstandings, about you and by you.
What can you expect from me?
You can expect me to see your worth, and treat you with respect..
You can expect me to be engaged and fully committed to our therapeutic relationship, working at your pace on the things that concern you.
You can expect ethical practice. I have regular supervision and also seek advice from the BACP when necessary. If I feel that I cannot meet your needs, I will say so, within the limits of my position, and do my best to help you to find another therapist.
Do I have a specialism?
I specialise in couples counselling with those who identify as neurodivergent, typically, autistic, dyslexic, or as having ADHD.
Common frustrations are:
feeling misunderstood
feeling rejected
feeling disconnected and alone
The nature of Imago dialoguing can be comforting to those of us who require
structure, predictability, and space to think.
The skills that you develop during the Imago Dialoguing process can be used at anytime, to safely address your frustrations, whilst working towards a shared vision for a mutually fulfilling relationship.
My main approach to mental health is based in Transactional Analysis which has the core beliefs of: I'm OK, You're OK - in other words, we all matter, (even if it seems hard to believe, you matter) and are worthy of respect.
We can all think and influence the outcome of our lives, unless we have sustained brain injury which undermines this ability. Decisions can be changed - especially those life limiting decisions that helped us to survive as children, but are no longer helpful.
From the perspective of Imago Relationship Therapy, I believe that intimacy flows from a safe, conscious connection, and view conflict, but not violence, as an opportunity for growth.
No, I only offer online couples counselling.
Successful Imago therapy sessions, do not require any of us to be in the same room, just that we all have excellent internet connections, and up to date equipment.
For me, the ideal is that you and your partner are in the same room, where you can touch, and sooth each other when needed, laugh together, and celebrate your wins.
If you are unsure about online therapy, I am happy to have an exploratory session with you and your partner, just send me an email.
No, I do not offer free couples counselling sessions. A Google search may bring up the names of any charities who do offer free therapy.
I do offer an opportunity to discuss Imago Therapy, how it might benefit you and your partner, and how we might work together, via a telephone or video call, of approximately 20 minutes.
The call is free of charge.
It will not be a therapy session and I will not delve into your reasons for wanting therapy.
If you would like to explore the benefits of Imago Therapy for your relationship, please get in touch.
An initial assessment for couples and individuals, is 60 minutes.
Subsequent sessions can be 60 minutes or 90 minutes.
There is the possibility to have longer sessions; fees will be charged accordingly.
You can book a session by calling or sending an email.
60 minute sessions
Individuals: £75 - £95
60 minute sessions
Couples: £100, weekly, for the first 4 weeks, to support your learning of the Imago Dialoguing Process.
90 minute sessions
Couples: £150, fortnightly, from week 5, giving you more time to process between sessions.
All bookings remain provisional until you have paid.
Once we have agreed, the date and time of our FIRST session, I will hold that space for 24 hours to give you time to pay.
For subsequent sessions, I ask that you pay, 7 business days before each session, via bank transfer.
Non-payment, for a first session, will be taken as a cancellation. For subsequent sessions, a notice of 7 days is required for a cancellation, if less notice is given, the fee will still be payable.
Fee Increases: I experience increases in the associated costs of being a therapist, i.e. insurance, supervision, advertising etc. and this may be reflected in my fee, which I review on an annual basis.
No.
I also work with individuals, siblings, friends, and parents with their adult child. I am happy to discuss your needs and how Imago therapy might help.
I've had clients who found that a single session was all that they needed to kick start the growth that they desired. More commonly, I have clients who prefer to work on a long term basis. Essentially, our work together will be tailored to your needs, and you'll have as many sessions as you need to achieve your desired outcome.
Short term work with individuals, is usually between 8 and 12 sessions.
For couples therapy, we usually agree to between 4 and 15 sessions, which can be adjusted, as required.
Long term work is open-ended, but punctuated by regular reviews.
Counselling and psychotherapy require commitment: to regular attendance, to being open, to processing outside of sessions. However, you are under no obligation to continue in therapy, and when you feel ready to end the contract, I ask that we do this in a planned way, so that we can tie up any loose ends.
I am an accredited member of the BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (membership no. 00919098).
I am also a member of Imago UK.
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Privacy Policy
In accordance with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), this privacy policy explains how I will handle the personal data that you share with me, as a client, perspective client or visitor to my website. It also describes your rights, under the new GDPR. For the purpose of data protection, the data controller is Karen Morris.
By visiting my website, you are accepting and consenting to this privacy policy.
WHY MIGHT I COLLECT YOUR DATA?
My purpose for collecting data, is primarily to fulfil our therapeutic contract.
I may also collect data on website visits, as I have a legitimate interest in the improvement of my website and marketing.
WHAT INFORMATION IS HELD?
Initially, you may provide your name, telephone and email address, when you first contact me. Additionally, I may receive information by other means, such as SearchMax, and Google Analytics which gather information through the use of cookies. SeacrhMax is much less detailed than Google analytics, and provides general information of visits per day and the pages visited.
Google Analytics may collect the following type of information, each time you visit this site:
Google Analytics will also provide information about your use of the site, for instance, the date, time and duration of your visit, including the pages visited and time spent on each page.
You can gain further information about Google Analytics, here
You can find details about an opt-out from Google Analytics, here
If you would prefer not to allow any cookies from my website, you can set your browser so that it blocks them.
HOW WILL I USE YOUR INFORMATION?
To provide you with the services required to fulfil our therapeutic contract.
To communicate with you about any changes to my service.
For technical and administrative purposes related to operating my site and business, in an appropriate manner, i.e. trouble shooting, data analysis, or record keeping.
WILL I SHARE YOUR INFORMATION?
I will never sell your information, and will only ever disclose anything about you, when I am required, on ethical or legal grounds. For instance, if a child or you are at risk, or if you disclose details of money laundering or terrorism,
STORAGE OF YOUR INFORMATION
If you send an enquiry via email, text or contact form, I will store your information for a short while, after sending my response. The information that I hold, will be your email address and the details that you shared in your correspondence.
If we begin to work together, I will store electronic communication only for as long as it is necessary. Emails and contact forms will be stored on a password protected laptop. Text messages will be stored on a phone that is protected by password and fingerprint lock.
ACCESS TO YOUR INFORMATION
It is your right to request access to personal information that I hold about you.
You may also request that I amend any personal information that I hold that you feel is inaccurate or out of date.
You may also request that I delete the personal information that I hold about you. Except where I am permitted, for business purposes, i.e. financial or professional auditing, or required for legal reasons, I will endeavour to comply with your request.
This privacy statement applies to use of this website, and is subject to change, inline with current regulations. It is advisable to check this privacy statement on a regular basis, to ensure that you still agree with its terms.
If you have any questions about this policy, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Karen Morris
Data Protection Officer
Data Protection Registration reference: ZA344599