Karen Swarbrick

My previous career consisted of 35 years working within the NHS, working as a nurse midwife and health visitor. I volunteered for Relate working with couples and have volunteered for the past three years with an organisation in my local area. I currently work part time with this organisation, where I offer counselling covering a wide range of concerns.  I have also volunteered for Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Society) for the past 25 years offering support to individuals, couples, and families on an ongoing basis. I set up the local Sands group in my area to offer support for local families 8 years ago. 

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I use different theories and adopt these to suit the needs of the clients. I offer a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space for people to share their concerns openly. I am a calm, empathic, genuine, and warm individual and my overall passion is to help people to overcome the difficulties and concerns they are experiencing. I believe that everyone has the ability to explore inner resources with the help of a counsellor and achieve positive changes to relieve their concerns and improve their general well-being and relationships.

My approach

I am an integrative counsellor adopting different theories to suit the client’s needs. I particularly adopt a systemic approach, meaning I explore the influences of family, community and wider society which make up the individuals we are and can impact on our relationships.  I believe that there are so many challenges in life today which can ultimately affect relationships causing concerns and difficulties, which people find overwhelming and unable to manage without help. I work openly and explore the concerns people present to find other options to move forward. I seek to do this by assessing, listening, communication and incorporate the use of different theoretical approaches ultimately exploring inner resources to promote beneficial change. I am trained to use a variety of theories including systemic, solution focussed, person-centred and transactional analysis. Goals for therapy will be discussed and planned together, working to achieve the changes you require.  Ultimately counselling is your journey and I will guide you using my skills and knowledge to help you achieve your goals.

Where it all started

I have always had the desire to help people and my experience within nursing and midwifery enhanced this and led on to my interest in training as a counsellor. I, like many people have experienced traumas in life and these directed me to other opportunities. I became involved 25 years ago with Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Society) at first as a way of accessing support which led to me becoming a volunteer and being heavily involved with the charity.