Therapy · Essex · UK & Beyond
Relational, trauma-informed, inclusive therapy in Essex, across the UK and beyond.
Maybe you are feeling a little lost, stuck or misunderstood? Or perhaps you are feeling low or anxious or even full of rage? Perhaps from the outside things look "fine," but inside you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or quietly struggling in ways that are hard to explain.
You might find yourself repeating the same dynamics in relationships, wondering "why does this keep happening?" even when you're trying to do things differently.
You might have even tried therapy before, but something wasn't quite right.
If any of this resonates, I hear you.
But who am I? You ask...
I am an integrative therapist, qualified teacher and scientist. I feel strongly that therapy can be life-changing when you find the right therapist for you, whilst also acknowledging that accessing good therapy is often a privilege.
I am committed to lifelong learning and unlearning, and my work is guided by the following values: empathy, acceptance, freedom, authenticity and justice.
I offer individual, weekly therapy sessions over Google Meet. Available to clients in the UK and Europe. In-person support available in Essex, England.
A new chapter
Our stories can shape us...
...here's some of mine.
Feeling stuck, anxious, burnt out or a little lost? Well, I've been there too.
Some years ago, I made the decision to try therapy, and it had a profound impact on my life. It wasn't quite as simple as "have therapy, become a therapist," but it did shape the path I'm on today. What matters most is that I've experienced therapy from the other side. I know it can be challenging at times, but also deeply rewarding and transformative.
As therapy is deeply personal, it is important to find the right therapist for you. I hope the below helps you get to know me better, and if you think working together might be a good fit, then do get in touch.
I live by the sea, I am a proud cat-parent and my pronouns are she/her.
My journey has been far from linear, and that's part of what I bring to my work. Before training as a therapist, I spent 15 years working in high-pressure, high-stakes environments, first as a forensic scientist and later as a science teacher.
I initially trained in forensic toxicology, drawn by a fascination with chemistry and the challenge of solving complex problems. This experience shapes how I work today: I am deeply curious about patterns, about what sits beneath the surface, and about how early experiences continue to influence how we think, feel, and relate to others.
But over time, the work became automated and formulaic. I was missing a human element. Wanting to stay connected to science but also to make a difference in people's lives, I retrained as a science teacher. I loved sharing knowledge and inspiring curiosity, but what I really found myself drawn to was the pastoral side: supporting wellbeing and building relationships.
When I found myself supporting other teachers to navigate burnout and stress, it made me realise I wanted to go deeper; to understand and address the underlying psychological patterns that lead to struggle. That drive ultimately led me to train as a therapist.
Along the way, I've drawn on my own lived experiences. That said, I am never the "expert" on you. You are always the expert in your own life. My role is to create a safe, reflective, and supportive space to explore, understand, and move forward.
As both a therapist and teacher, I am committed to continuous learning and unlearning: making mistakes, apologising, reflecting, and doing better. I see this as an essential part of ethical, curious, and relational practice, and something I bring into every session.
The Formal Bit
Everything you need to reassure you that you are in properly trained, accredited and ethically practising hands.
Further Training
I am always engaging in further training and CPD, including plans to begin couples therapy training later this year. Feel free to contact me for specifics on further training undertaken.
My Approach
I am currently based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, but work with clients all over the UK.
As an integrative therapist (fancy word, but basically it means I'm trained in and draw from different therapy modalities, ideas and theories), I tailor therapy to you and your needs. You won't find a one-size-fits-all method here, and equally, I'm not going to sit in silence while you do all the talking (unless that's genuinely helpful).
My approach is grounded in humanistic, psychodynamic, and existential thinking, which means I'm interested in you as a whole person, the patterns in your relationships, and the bigger questions: "how did I get here?" and "what is all this for?" I focus on helping you understand the why behind your experiences, not just managing symptoms, but making sense of what's shaped you and how it's still showing up today.
I also work relationally. The relationship we build in therapy really matters. The way you experience connection, trust, or even discomfort in the room can often reflect what's happening in the outside world, and exploring this together can open up new ways of relating.
Alongside this, I integrate trauma-informed and somatic awareness into the work. Our experiences don't just live in our thoughts, they are held in the body too.
We move at your pace and I will always check in to make sure things feel okay for you, and if not, we pause or stop. We recognise it's okay to feel 'stuck' and there is no space for blame or shame in our sessions. There is never any pressure to share more than you feel comfortable with.
Sessions are a space of support and compassion, shaped around where you are each time we meet. There is no expectation to follow structured plans, tick off goals, or engage in forced eye contact. We can find a way of being together that feels natural and regulating, whether that means movement, special interests, or simply being.
As a former teacher, I believe strongly in sharing knowledge. I explain things clearly and practically, so therapy doesn't just feel supportive, it feels genuinely illuminating. My aim is to help you make sense of yourself in a way that actually clicks, empowering you to break free of patterns that no longer serve you.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Get in touch if there's something else you'd like support with.
I currently only work with adults (18 years or older).
Couples therapy, both romantic and platonic, will be available later in 2026. Register your interest here.
Click below to enquire about availability and booking.
Contact
Getting in touch is the first step. There's no obligation.
Please fill in your details and reason(s) for getting in touch, below. I will always do my best to get back to you within 48 hours. If it's a weekend, it might take a little longer.
It helps to include:
FAQs
They might be answered below.
"I came to therapy during a difficult period in my life and felt completely lost and hopeless. Through our work together, I've been able to move on, rebuild my confidence and feel more like myself again. I'm so grateful for the support I've received."
Client A
"Working with Karly has given me a space to slow down and reflect in a way I haven't before, and I have gained a much deeper understanding of patterns in my relationships and why I respond the way I do. This has been life changing for me."
Client B
"I started therapy when I was feeling very lost and depressed. With Karly's support and insight, I have worked through and integrated big parts of my shadow self. I have learned valuable tools to process my emotions rather than feeling controlled by them, and as a result I feel empowered, calmer and better able to handle challenges."
Client C
"I was nervous about starting therapy but Karly made me feel at ease from the first session. She listened without judgement and allowed me to explore things I've never really been able to talk about before."
Client D
The best way to find out if we're a good fit is simply to reach out.