Karen Spilsbury, NCPS

Karen Spilsbury trained and practised in the United Kingdom and brings eight years of professional experience to her counselling work. She focuses on everyday challenges such as stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem and coping with big life changes. Karen presents straightforward support and practical ways to move forward.

Her approach starts by listening. She treats each person as the expert in their own story and looks for strengths to build on. Conversations are collaborative and aimed at small, manageable steps rather than big, sudden changes.

Karen uses a mix of approaches to suit different needs. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and client-centred ways of working, along with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and hypnotherapy when these fit a person’s goals. The aim is to match techniques to what a client wants to achieve, not to follow a single method.

She has experience supporting people dealing with attachment and abandonment issues, codependency, communication and control problems, and the emotional effects of divorce or separation. Karen also works with those coping with domestic violence, substance misuse, dissociation and the fallout from natural or human-caused disaster.

Sessions are practical and paced to the individual. Karen helps people build coping skills, make clearer decisions and strengthen confidence. Her style is calm, direct and encouraging, with a focus on achievable progress.

Approaches you can use online and how they help

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without being led by them, then commit to actions that reflect what matters to them; it can be useful for anxiety, stress and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns, which often helps with anxiety and low mood. Client-Centred Therapy emphasises a non-judgemental relationship and listening, creating space for people to explore their concerns at their own pace.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karen collaborates with each person to choose methods that fit their goals and preferences. She adapts techniques as needs change and checks in on what is helpful as therapy progresses.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video is good for face-to-face conversation and practising new skills together. Phone sessions suit people who prefer not to be on camera or who have limited bandwidth. Live chat and messaging work for shorter check-ins, flexible timing and people who find written reflection useful. These options offer flexibility to fit sessions around work, family and other daily demands while keeping the focus on practical, effective therapeutic work.