Karen Sweeney

Psychotherapist
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About

Karen is a qualified psychotherapist, an accredited member of the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) and a certified transactional analyst with the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA). She has worked as a psychotherapist in the NHS, the private medical sector, Cambridge and Essex University Counselling Services and as a volunteer counsellor at Farleigh Hospice Bereavement Service. She also has her own private practice.

Karen has worked as a sessional therapist at Priory Hospital Chelmsford since 2019, seeing clients weekly for face-to-face or Zoom therapy appointments. Her therapy style is relational, in which she aims to create a safe, empathic and non-judgmental space for clients to identify and explore issues, which are preventing them from leading a productive, fulfilled and contented life.  
Karen offers explorative therapy encouraging clients to come from a place of curiosity about themselves, to address the issues that have brought them to seek therapy.

Transactional analysis has its roots in psychoanalysis, but also incorporates elements from the cognitive behavioural and person-centred approaches, which allows Karen to work in an integrative way, and adapt her approach to the client’s needs.

Through psychotherapy, clients will bring into awareness unconscious, maladaptive ways or strategies which may have protected them in childhood, but which are problematic and limiting in adulthood.

Karen works with adults of all ages. Her open and empathic style is especially effective with young adults, particularly those who have become reclusive or ‘hard to reach’.

Languages

  • English
  • French

Qualifications

  • MSc psychotherapy – Middlesex University
  • Certified transactional analyst (CTA) – awarded by EATA (European Association for Transactional Analysts)
  • Diploma TA psychotherapy – Metanoia Institute
  • Diploma transactional analysis (TA) psychotherapeutic counselling - Metanoia Institute
  • Certificate psychodynamic counselling – awarded by WPF (Westminster Pastoral Foundation)
  • BA Hons French – University of Wales