Hi, I'm Carlene and I'm a qualified psychotherapist with a Master's Degree in psychotherapy, based in Bury St Edmunds

I have been in private practice since 2007 working with individuals and couples, children and adolescents and families, offering both short term and open ended therapy.

Counselling / Psychotherapy services offered:
- couples counselling
- individual counselling
- family counselling
- young people’s counselling
- children counselling

Clinical Supervision services also offered.

About Me

As a therapist I bring many years of experience to my work gained through working in various settings – schools, statutory, mental health, charities and voluntary agencies.

Along with my private practice, my therapy experience has also been gained through working as a Relate Licenced counsellor for over 15 years and working within the NHS’s Talking Therapies (previously IAPT) service offering relationship counselling and Couple’s Therapy for Depression (CTfD) as an accredited therapist.

I am also an accredited Mentalization Based Therapist (MBT), this approach is an evidenced based treatment, and I have gained experience of using this approach as part of a Reducing Parental Conflict Team, working with both intact and separated couples where the focus is around keeping the child in mind.

I am trained and qualified as a telephone and online therapist. I see working at a distance/online as another way of offering therapy to people in our now ever developing digital world. I have extensive experience of working online.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is the professional associate for members of the counselling professions in the UK. I have been a member of the association since 2005 and work alongside their ethical framework and I am in support of their objectives and values.

I offer a hybrid clinical practice – a mixture of both face-to-face and online.

Psychotherapy

Counselling / Psychotherapy is a talking therapy which can help people with emotional, social or mental health issues. Some people come to therapy because they are struggling with issues from their past which are holding them back from living a happy and satisfying life in the present. Others come for more present day reasons, there are no “wrong” reasons to come to therapy. Common issues I have worked with include-
• Sadness and unhappiness
• Anxiety and depression
• Self esteem/confidence
• Self harm
• Stressed or anxious
• Childhood issues
• Relationship difficulties
• Intimacy difficulties
• Sexuality and other identity issues
• Work place stress and difficulties
• Lack of motivation
• Loss of someone or something important
• Dissatisfaction and disappointment
• Body image/issues with food
• Just not feeling “right”

Therapy is a confidential space which provides you with the opportunity to talk with a trained professional about issues affecting you that you would perhaps feel uncomfortable discussing with your family or friends. It is a place where you can consider, understand and gain knowledge and deeper insight about what troubles you. In privacy and with support, you can explore and develop new coping strategies which can positively affect how you think and feel about your life and your relationships. You can explore the life you want to live and the relationships you want to have. Sometimes you can feel worse before you feel better, this is quite common and a natural part of the process of therapy.

Therapy can be anything from a few weeks to a number of years engagement and commitment. You decide which is best for you at this time. You can always come back as a later stage and carry on.

I am a member of the BACP and keep up to date with current practice through attending regular Continual Professional Development.

I have an enhanced DBS check.

Clinical Supervision

I am a trained and qualified Clinical Supervisor with a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Supervision of Individuals and Groups.

I have a number of years experience in supervising counsellors and psychotherapists and those professionals working in the caring professions.

I supervise practitioners working in a wide range of settings, private, educational, statutory and non statutory, with a wide range of clients; children, young people, families and adults; both individuals and couples.

I believe the supervisory relationship based on mutuality, collegial support and challenge offers the best opportunity for good ethical practice.

As we both, supervisor and supervisee bring our lives and experiences into the supervisory relationship we have collective and dynamic resources to draw upon to create a learning space where practice can be shared and discussed.

Supervision is conducted using the platform Zoom.com or via the telephone. You choose how we work together. I do currently have a small amount of availability to offer face to face supervision.

I attend to my own clinical supervision for both my therapy and supervision practices.

Please contact me if you are interested in clinical supervision and we can arrange a no obligation introductory meeting.

Fees

Coming to therapy can be scary and finding the “right” therapist can feel daunting. I therefore offer a free introductory 30 minutes ‘meet and greet’ session where you can come and meet me to see whether I am the “right” therapist for you to work with. You can ask me questions about how therapy “works” or talk through any concerns or fears you may have regarding starting therapy – I know when I started, I had lots of fears.

If you do want to work with me then we can agree a mutually convenient time to meet again. If I’m not the right therapist for you then there is no charge for the 30 minutes.

Alternatively, if you are unsure, you can go away and contact me at a later date if you so wish.

Therapy sessions both face-to-face or online are available, please contact for prices.

All sessions are 50 minutes in duration, although longer can be negotiated for couples work. Sessions are usually weekly.

For Clinical Supervision, I charge from £60 per hour.

I review my fees annually in January.

You can contact me via this page or ring me on my work specific mobile phone. I have an answer machine so if you leave me a message, I will return your call as promptly as I can. We can then arrange a mutually convenient time to meet to discuss your therapy or supervision needs.

I aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours but please note that I do not respond or work over the weekend.

My practice is based Bury St Edmunds with street parking locally and also a pay and display/ pay by app car park within a 10 minute walk.

I look forward to hearing from you

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know if you can help me?

I offer a free 30 minute ‘meet and greet’ introductory session. This is an opportunity for us to meet and see if we can work together.

Will you give me advice?

As a Therapist I will support you to open up and sometimes just talking can help you see things differently; I will listen and ask questions but will not give you advice.

What happens in a counselling session?

I offer a safe and confidential space which provides you with the opportunity to talk with a trained professional about issues affecting you that you would perhaps feel uncomfortable discussing with your family or friends. I am ethically bound to keep what you share private.

Can I do all my sessions over the internet?

Yes! I am trained and qualified as a telephone and online therapist. I see working at a distance/online as another way of offering therapy to people in our now ever developing digital world. I have extensive experience of working online.

How long will each session last?

For therapy sessions both face-to-face or online, all sessions are 50 minutes in duration, although longer can be negotiated for couples work. Sessions are usually weekly.

How long will I need therapy sessions?

Therapy can be anything from a few weeks to a number of years engagement and commitment. You decide which is best for you at this time. You can always come back as a later stage and carry on.