Therapy focused around you
Hi, I'm Karen and I run Total Focus Therapy in Plymouth, Devon.
I have a reputation for:
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Empathy
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Intuition
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Compassion
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Kindness
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Knowledge
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Creativity
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Energy
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Nurture
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Patience
I am a qualified therapist with many years of experience supporting adults and young people across a range of settings. I offer in-person sessions in Plymouth and online across the UK, with a focus on creating a safe, trusting space.
Before training as a therapist, I worked in TV and radio and later as a teacher, including within special educational needs. This shaped my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and understand the pressures within education. I am also a published author.
I bring both professional and lived experience to my work with my understanding of neurodiversity. Following a late diagnosis of autism and ADHD, I understand the mix of clarity, grief, and re-evaluation this can bring. And, in parenting a neurodivergent child, I understand the challenges that may be faced by family members too. In therapy, I take a neuro-affirming approach that helps you make sense of your experiences, recognise your strengths, and find what works for you.
My own experiences of feeling lost, struggling with meaning, and living with a strong inner critic led me to therapy, where I developed a more compassionate and nurturing relationship with myself. This underpins my work, particularly with those in caring or high-responsibility roles, or those navigating trauma or suicidal thoughts — many of whom are used to holding a great deal for others — often at the expense of their own needs. This is something I hold at the heart of my work — offering a space where all parts of you are welcome, and supporting a shift from self-criticism and pressure towards self-understanding and compassion.
Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling
Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
Trauma Informed Training
Neurodiversity awareness (ADHD, Autism)
Managing ADHD
Managing Anxiety and Panic attacks
STORM training - Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm
Emotional Based School Avoidance training (EBSA)
Emotional Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA)
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Qualifications
Fees & Bookings
I understand that reaching out can feel daunting, but by being here, you’ve already taken the first step. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch.
Sessions cost £60, payable by BACS or cash. I also offer packages for 3 or 6 sessions at a discount and have 2 low cost slots available.
If you have any questions or want to find out if the way I work fits with what you're looking for, I offer a free, 20-minute consultation by phone or online.
Or click this link to fill in my contact form:
Find me on Psychology Today and on the Counselling Directory.
I am an Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society, NCPS.
"We cannot change, we cannot move away from what we are, until we thoroughly accept what we are. Then change seems to come about almost unnoticed."
- Carl Rogers