KM Psychotherapy
Karen Morton MA (Psych & Couns) MBACP (Accred)
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Support with Anxiety, Trauma and Self-Esteem
Anxiety and Self-Esteem
Being stuck in a cycle of anxiousness and/or having low self-esteem can be overwhelming and can stop you from living your life as you would like. Holding on to anxiety rather than releasing it often seems the 'right' way of managing it; sometimes we are not even aware how much we hold internally. Therapy can help you work through your anxiety, understanding and acknowledging triggers, trauma and fears, and find new ways of coping. There are many techniques that we can use to support this, and I will work with you so that we can discover which are appropriate for you.
I welcome the opportunity to support you to identify patterns, develop strategies and to develop further insight and perspective to resolve personal issues and find new ways forward.
Trauma
Situations, events and experiences which are stressful, upsetting and or confusing can be traumatic. Trauma manifests itself in many different ways and takes many different forms; being rejected, abandoned, humiliated, unsupported, harmed, or witnessing harm, growing up in difficult circumstances, racial, cultural, gender and/or sexual identity discrimination or harassment, to name a few.
Trauma may be stored in your body for years, and then something happens which triggers that experience. We know, for instance, that adverse childhood experiences can be triggered many years later, and unprocessed trauma can lead to issues in your adult life, such as anxiety, depression, addiction and both physical and mental health disorders.
Trauma is stored and imprinted in your body not with words, but rather in emotions and sensations. Understanding your triggers and where appropriate, working through the trauma will not change what happened to you in the past, but it will enable you to live better in the present and going forward.
MindBody Connection
If you are experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, IBS, joint pain or fibromyalgia, for example, your body may be literally carrying or holding the weight of your anxiety and trauma. We can consider whether a more holistic mindbody approach will help you – exploring the connection between your physical symptoms and your anxiety and trauma.
I have extensive mindbody and somatic practice training and experience. Where appropriate, we integrate somatic and experiential techniques, as well as any relevant chronic pain and illness practices and approaches. Please see Chronic Pain & Conditions for more information.
How I Can Support You
I am a humanistic and integrative therapist, which means that I have a flexible and holistic approach, tailoring your therapy to your personal circumstances and needs as a unique individual. We work together to explore the approaches and techniques that will work best for you.
I provide a trauma-informed, collaborative space, prioritising your emotional safety and autonomy. Where appropriate, I integrate grounding and stabilisation techniques to help you build practical coping skills when difficult emotions arise and experiential somatic practices to address how trauma and stress are held in your physical body – going beyond just talking about your history by integrating your physical and emotional experiences, allowing you to feel grounded, resilient, and more connected in your everyday life. My goal is always to validate your experience and support you in the best way possible to empower you to live your best life.
What I Can Support You With
While my approach is holistic and tailored to you as an individual, I have extensive experience supporting clients navigating the following areas:
Emotional & Mental Health
- Anxiety and Panic
- Depression and Loneliness
- Low self-confidence and Low self-esteem
- Suicidal thoughts and Self-harm
Trauma, Loss & Relationships
- Trauma and Post-traumatic stress
- Abuse
- Bereavement
- Relationships and Sexuality
Life Transitions
- Life changes and Loss
- Redundancy and Work-related issues
- Stress and Work/life balance
Physical Health & MindBody Conditions
- Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia
- CFS/ME and Persistent Fatigue
- IBS and Digestive issues
- Stress-related physical symptoms
While I have grouped these areas for clarity, in practice, our emotional and physical selves are not separate. We work to understand the whole picture of how these experiences are interrelated, rather than treating issues in isolation.
What to Expect in Our Work Together
We start our work together with an assessment. This involves gathering information about your physical and mental health, as well as exploring your history and current lived experience.
Throughout this process, we work at your pace. We prioritize your safety by incorporating grounding techniques whenever needed, ensuring you remain centred and regulated as we navigate your story. Together, we identify your short, medium, and long-term priorities, providing a clear direction for our sessions while remaining flexible so as to evolve as your needs change over time.
Professional Background and Approach
Professional Accreditation
I am a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor and a registered and accredited member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (‘BACP’), which requires me to be insured to practice, receive appropriate standards of supervision and undertake relevant Continuing Professional Development. I abide by the guidelines, code of ethics and professional practice standards set out by the BACP.
My Therapeutic Approach
I am a humanistic and integrative therapist, which means that I have a flexible and holistic approach, tailoring your therapy to your personal circumstances and needs as a unique individual. We work together to explore the approaches and techniques that will work best for you.
Additional Training
I have completed significant additional training, including extensive training with SIRPA (Stress Illness Recovery Practitioners' Association), Pain Reprocessing Therapy, Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy, Focusing, nervous system regulation and grounding techniques and somatic and experiential practices for trauma and anxiety.
How I Work
I work with clients both online and in person.
I also offer a 'hybrid' or 'blended' approach, where we agree each week whether to have an online or in person session.
Please get in touch by email so that we can discuss how I can best support you, why you are seeking therapy and address any concerns or queries you may have. I provide therapy to adults, from young to the elderly.
Emergencies and Crisis Support
Find Help Now
In the event you are feeling suicidal, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day by calling 116 123 (free call) emailing at jo@samaritans.org.
Check what other services are available in your area or talk to someone you know.
I also recommend the Stay Alive app developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention:
Considering therapy?
If you would like to discuss how I may be able to support you, please feel free to get in touch.