Welcome to Talking Helps
You don’t have to carry the weight alone
About me
Most people come to therapy because the way they’ve been 'coping' just isn't working anymore. You might feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stuck in a cycle of low mood, or simply at a crossroads in your life.
I’m Karen Rhodes, a qualified integrative therapist in private practice. I provide a calm, confidential space for clients to talk, reflect, and—most importantly—move forward.
Since graduating from Newman University in Birmingham alongside maintaining my private practice for the last 10 years I have worked in a variety of settings such as a busy Occupational Health Department and a Family Support charity. I have also worked with a number of companies providing Employee Support and training around Anxiety and Stress Management.
Why "Integrative" Matters
No two people experience pain in the same way, so I don't believe in a 'one size fits all' approach. As an integrative therapist, I draw on a variety of therapeutic models to suit your specific needs.
The 'Why': We can look at your past and your patterns to understand how you got here.
The 'How': We can use practical, present-focused tools to help you manage your day-to-day.
By blending different theories, we work together to create a path that feels right for you, at a pace that feels safe.
What We Can Work On Together
I support individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including:
- Anxiety & Stress: Finding calm in the chaos.
- Relationship Dynamics: Understanding how we connect with others.
- Life Transitions: Navigating the 'what now?' moments.
- Self-Worth: Building a stronger, kinder relationship with yourself.
SPEAK IN CONFIDENCE
Are you looking at the world from a dark place? Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A PROBLEM SHARED...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression - many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of what’s causing these problems - and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
MAKE BETTER, HEALTHIER NEW CHOICES
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and see how you can start to make better, heathier choices moving forward.
Contact me
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an appointment. You can also call me on 07847 280629 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first.
MY LOCATION
I am based in Tamworth, Staffordshire & Central Birmingham. I work in person and online with clients from Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & the surrounding area and across Birmingham.
I also work online with clients around the UK.
FEES & AVAILABILITY
Each session lasts 50 minutes and my fees are £50 per session, payment is by cash or bank transfer.
Please note that I operate a 7 day cancellation policy for sessions.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between counselling and therapy?
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
How long will I need to have counselling?
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. We will then arrange for counselling sessions to take place on an agreed time and day on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
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