Karen Charman
She/Her
Online and face to face on Hayling Island, Hampshire, UK
Who I work with
Are you coming to terms with a recent or later in life diagnosis of autism or ADHD? It can be overwhelming to reevaluate your childhood and life so far through this new lens, particularly relationships with parents and family. Perhaps you’ve always struggled to navigate the workplace and are now wondering what accommodations or help to ask for whilst feeling that dreaded imposter syndrome! Maybe you want to explore who you are or want to be after years of masking. You may also be dealing with co-occurring health conditions, parenting a neurodivergent child or the menopause and are struggling with self-compassion around managing these challenges.
Talking to a counsellor who understands all these things is affirming and validating. Without having to justify and explain your struggles, we can explore them and move forward into a life with less confusion and more confidence to advocate for yourself and your needs. I work with students, professionals, older adults and young adults still finding their way. Many are from the LGBTQ+ community who are very welcome and accepted here.
About Me and How I Work
I offer a person-centred space filled with empathy and understanding, plus ideas on how to move forward, advocate for yourself and find a balance that works for you.
Each session is yours to bring whatever issues or subjects you want to explore and I will never persuade you to talk about something you don't feel ready for. I will offer reflections which will help give you clarity or to see things differently and when I feel it would be helpful and appropriate, I will ask questions or invite you to consider other possibilities. If I think you would benefit from specific expertise with your issue, I will signpost you to further or alternative help. Most people find it extremely helpful to be able to talk to someone completely impartial, who will actively listen and seek to understand you without judgement; I find most clients are worried about burdening their family and friends with their problems. I aim to build an honest and trusting relationship with my clients until they feel ready to face life without my help. This therapeutic alliance is the key to healing. Counselling can sometimes feel very difficult at first, particularly if you're talking about things that you've kept hidden away, even from yourself for a long time. That's why we will take things at your pace until you feel strong enough to explore further.
Qualifications & Professional Background
I qualified as a Humanistic Counsellor at The University of Chichester in 2020 and soon after set up Elephas Counselling. I volunteered as a counsellor at The Bereavement Counselling Charity, Hampshire for 18 months and at the University of Portsmouth Student Wellbeing Service as a counsellor for 2 years. Consequently, I gained experience working with young adults presenting with a range of issues and with bereaved adults at any age.
I started my counselling career advertising an ‘understanding of autism’ as a by-line, which resulted in my practice immediately filling up with autistic clients, desperate to speak to someone who “gets it”. Over the years I’ve learnt so much from the wonderful clients I’ve met but also educating myself through up to date media and books and more recently learning about the huge overlap of autism and ADHD as many of my clients have both.
My previous professional background is in customer service, sales, account management, human resources and marketing. I have had a lifelong interest in counselling and have also recently graduated with a degree in psychology.
I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and abide by their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I have counsellor insurance with Holistic Insurance.
Next Steps
The first step is for us to have a free 15-20 minute chat over Teams or Telephone so we can both find out more and decide if we feel comfortable working together. You can book a first full session at the end of our chat, or take some time to think about it. It’s probably easiest to email to organise this but you can also phone or text. Be assured that all messages and voicemails will be kept confidential. I will get back to you within 48 hours to suggest a time and date.
We can meet online or if you’re near me on the South Coast of Hampshire, I’d love to welcome you for face to face counselling on sunny Hayling Island! Taking the first step of asking for help from a counsellor can be daunting, but please be assured that I will make that easier for you by answering any questions you may have over email, text, or the telephone.
counselling.elephas@gmail.com | www.elephascounselling.co.uk | 07838 406497
My fees are £60 per 1 hour session.