Karen Bell, BACP
Compassionate UK counsellor Karen Bell
- Trauma and abuse support
- Stress and anxiety help
- Video phone chat messaging
About Karen Bell
Karen Bell is a UK-based counsellor with 18 years of professional experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship difficulties, trauma, depression and a wide range of life changes. She practises from a person-centred approach, sometimes called Rogerian therapy after Carl Rogers, which places the client's experience and emotional needs at the centre of the work and emphasises non-judgemental listening and empathy. Karen is a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), the main professional body for counsellors in the UK, and brings that registered-practice perspective to her clinical work.
Her career has included roles in a GP surgery, work as a trauma counsellor with Someone Cares supporting people who are suicidal, self-harming or survivors of child sexual abuse, and service as an Occupational Health Counsellor with Northumbria Police specialising in trauma and employee assistance programmes. These positions have given her substantial experience with bereavement, loss, workplace stress, and complex trauma, as well as with family and relationship issues, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting concerns and neurodiverse presentations such as ADHD.
Karen welcomes clients of all genders, sexualities, cultures and faiths and works with people who identify with protected characteristics, those on the autistic spectrum and people with ADHD. She supports clients through individual sessions delivered by video, phone, live chat and text-based messaging, and aims to create an open, non-judgmental environment where feelings and experiences can be explored. This is not an emergency service - if immediate help is needed in the UK, callers are advised to contact the Samaritans on 116 123, emergency services on 999 or attend A & E.
Taking the first step can feel difficult, and Karen offers steady, practical support to help people move toward more fulfilling and manageable ways of living.
Her career has included roles in a GP surgery, work as a trauma counsellor with Someone Cares supporting people who are suicidal, self-harming or survivors of child sexual abuse, and service as an Occupational Health Counsellor with Northumbria Police specialising in trauma and employee assistance programmes. These positions have given her substantial experience with bereavement, loss, workplace stress, and complex trauma, as well as with family and relationship issues, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting concerns and neurodiverse presentations such as ADHD.
Karen welcomes clients of all genders, sexualities, cultures and faiths and works with people who identify with protected characteristics, those on the autistic spectrum and people with ADHD. She supports clients through individual sessions delivered by video, phone, live chat and text-based messaging, and aims to create an open, non-judgmental environment where feelings and experiences can be explored. This is not an emergency service - if immediate help is needed in the UK, callers are advised to contact the Samaritans on 116 123, emergency services on 999 or attend A & E.
Taking the first step can feel difficult, and Karen offers steady, practical support to help people move toward more fulfilling and manageable ways of living.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Hypnotherapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Karen Bell have?
Karen Bell has 18 years of experience in counselling and psychotherapy.
Is Karen Bell a registered therapist?
Yes. She holds membership of the BACP, the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
In which languages does Karen Bell provide therapy?
Therapy is provided in English.
Where is Karen Bell located?
Karen is based in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Karen Bell as my therapist?
Clients can work with Karen via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Karen Bell work with international clients?
No. Karen does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Karen Bell cost?
Costs can vary depending on factors such as location and availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current pricing and details, please click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is straightforward: click the "Start Therapy" button, complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist, and depending on availability you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online support
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current emotional patterns and interpersonal needs. In sessions the therapist explores attachment styles and helps clients build safer, more secure ways of relating, which can be especially helpful for relationship difficulties, abandonment issues and trauma-related attachment concerns.Client-Centred Therapy emphasises empathic listening and the client's own capacity for growth. The therapist offers acceptance and careful reflection so clients can explore feelings, values and personal goals at their own pace - an approach that works well for stress, low self-esteem, life transitions and many forms of emotional distress.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. CBT can assist with anxiety, depression, sleep and coping skills, and is often used alongside other approaches for a tailored plan.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Karen works collaboratively with each person to identify methods that suit their needs, goals and preferences. She will discuss options and adapt techniques so the work fits the individual rather than following a one-size-fits-all model.
Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging offers flexibility for busy lives and those who prefer remote access. These formats make it easier to attend regular sessions, maintain continuity during life changes, and connect with registered professionals from home or other convenient locations.