Rate Karen Yuen

Hello, I'm Karen an accredited and registered counsellor/therapist in the UK with 8 years of professional work experience within NHS Direct, occupational therapy, mental health, social care settings in the community and spiritual settings in meditation wellbeing retreats.

As a British East Asian (Hong Kong, Vietnam, Myanmar heritage) woman and counsellor I understand the nuances of different cultures and how it influences our perspective and interactions with ourselves, others and the world. The direct and indirect discrimination, racism, sexism that we humans experience in daily life and how it can take a toll on our wellbeing.

I specialise in working with people from multicultural/immigrant backgrounds.

I offer an opportunity to explore personal difficulties in a confidential, non-judgemental and supportive environment. Sometimes it's helpful to speak to someone outside your personal circle. I am here to listen and understand you, create a space for you to be seen, heard and process what is going on for you.

Through compassion and curiosity we will explore how your childhood and relationship with family has influenced your current beliefs, perceptions, behaviours and thought patterns. You will be supported in becoming aware of these aspects, clearer understanding of them and unpacking the feelings that come up. Leading to insight into your current situation, to challenge unhelpful perceptions, thought patterns and beliefs. This process can foster growth and lead to positive change in your life.

My intention is to help you have a healthier relationship with your thoughts and feelings. This will help your relationship with yourself, others and different experiences and situations you encounter in your daily life. Ultimately, becoming and feeling more whole as a human being.

I can help you with:

- Anxiety

- Bereavement, Grief, Loss

- Depression

- Discrimination

- Low self-esteem

- Relationships (work, family, friends)

- Stress

- Trauma

I have been trained in an integrative therapeutic approach, incorporating person centred, cognitive, psychodynamic, spiritual and transcultural approaches. This allows me to adapt to the needs of the client and their therapeutic journey. The foundation of my approach is through trauma informed, compassionate inquiry, intuition, genuineness, and empathy, to create an empathic, safe, informal and non-judgemental space.

I will also bring in other therapeutic tools if and when appropriate such as mindfulness, body awareness, breathing meditation, role play, visualisation, and creativity.

My qualifications are:

- BSc (Hons) Counselling and Therapeutic Studies; 2:1, Leeds Metropolitan University, 2005.

- PGCert Occupation and Wellbeing; Merit, Sheffield Hallam University, 2023.

- CPD Advanced Certificate Counselling Psychology.

- CPD Training in Recovery from Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse.

- CPD Compassionate Inquiry.

I have travelled and lived in different cultures and communities around the world: India, Hong Kong, Nepal, Portugal and France. I have learnt a lot from all and am grateful to have had these experiences and to have spent time with wise, insightful everyday humans, doing their best in embodying compassion, kindness, patience and unconditional love. I bring the theory, knowledge and counselling skills I've learnt from my studies as well as the insights and wisdom from all the people I've met and learnt from.

I am a Registered Member of the BACP and Accredited Senior Member of ACCPH and adhere to BACP and ACCPH Code of Conduct and Ethical Framework, Enhanced DBS cleared to work with vulnerable people. I work with individuals from the age of 18 and over, working on a short term or long term basis depending on the needs of the client.

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions, I look forward to working with you!