Karen Spilsbury, NCPS - Therapist in United Kingdom

Stress and anxiety
Addictions support
Values focused work

About Karen

Karen Spilsbury is an NCPS credentialed counsellor in the United Kingdom with eight years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and change after major life events. Karen focuses on practical steps a person can use day to day. She explains things in plain language and keeps sessions down to earth.

Her approach starts with listening to the story the client brings. She treats the person as the expert on their own life and looks for existing strengths to build on. Sessions often include talking through current patterns, noticing what gets in the way, and practising small skills that can make routines easier.

Karen uses a mix of approaches depending on what someone needs. That can include acceptance and commitment ideas to help clarify values, cognitive behavioural techniques to test and change unhelpful thinking, and client-centred conversation to explore feelings. She also draws on other methods such as dialectical behaviour skills and hypnotherapy when those match the person’s goals.

People typically come to her when they feel stuck after a change in work, a breakup, health problems or difficulties with addiction. She helps with practical coping, rebuilding confidence, and managing intense emotions so day-to-day life feels less overwhelming.

To begin, she asks new clients to complete a short matching questionnaire and arrange an initial session. Pricing varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How therapeutic approaches are used online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to a person and taking small actions that align with those values. It can help when someone feels directionless after change by breaking decisions into manageable steps. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviours that keep problems going and uses straightforward exercises to test and change them. This can be useful for anxiety, stress and unhelpful habits. Client-Centred Therapy relies on open-ended conversation and supportive listening to help people work through feelings and build confidence in their own choices. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karen will talk with the client about goals and preferences, and pick methods together. That collaborative process helps shape each session, so the approach can shift as needs change. Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as the biography does not list them. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling around work or family commitments. They also allow shorter check-ins when a full session is not needed, and options that do not require being on camera can lower demands on bandwidth or attention. Ask about the available formats when you complete the matching questionnaire so sessions fit into everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse Self esteem Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Attachment issues Autism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityCo-morbidityCodependency Commitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issues Forgiveness Guilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelity Isolation / loneliness JealousyLife purposeMen's issues Midlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPersonality disordersPhobiasPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)HypnotherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

8+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of issues does she work with?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and coping with life changes.

How does she approach someone who feels stuck?

She listens to the person's story and looks for strengths to use in practical steps. Sessions often combine talking, skill practice and goal-focused work.

How much experience does she have?

She has eight years of professional experience working with clients in the United Kingdom.

What credential does she hold and where is she based?

She is registered with NCPS and her practice is based in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the UK work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How are sessions priced?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working with her?

Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.