Karen McClurkin, BACP, NCPS

Karen McClurkin is a counsellor who focuses on thoughts and everyday habits to help people cope with stress and emotional strain. She works to build a strong therapeutic relationship where people can speak without feeling judged. Karen aims to create a space to talk through current problems and things that have been difficult for years.

She draws on several approaches to shape sessions to each person's needs. That means using a mix of listening, practical ideas, and gentle challenge to address anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship issues and addictions. Sessions also cover grief, trauma and abuse, sleeping problems, anger and the practical ups and downs of life.

With seven years' experience she has supported people with a wide range of concerns including bipolar issues, ADHD, chronic pain and long-term illness. Additional work has included matters such as abandonment, attachment issues, codependency and fertility-related stress. The credential BACP means she is listed with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and NCPS refers to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.

Karen aims to adapt her approach to each person's priorities. She blends client-centred listening with techniques from CBT and mindfulness where helpful. People who choose her can expect a collaborative, practical way of working that focuses on everyday thinking and habits.

To start, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions based on availability. International clients can be supported in English.

Approaches that guide online work

Karen uses attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current patterns of closeness and trust; this can help when intimacy, abandonment or attachment issues are causing pain. She also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, which focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thoughts and habits to reduce anxiety and improve day-to-day coping. When helpful she brings in mindfulness practices to help people notice thoughts and feelings without getting swept away by them.

Finding the right blend of approaches is part of the work itself. Karen treats therapy as a collaboration and will help you try things and decide what fits your goals and preferences. Sessions are shaped around what you want to achieve, and adjustments are made as progress unfolds.

Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions around work, childcare or travel, and reducing time spent getting to appointments. Online work can make it easier to keep regular check-ins when life is busy or when frequent short sessions suit your routine. Because the biography does not list specific formats, please confirm the available session types before booking.