Counselling, Psychotherapy and Imago Relationship Therapy in TAMESIDE, East Manchester and Online

Welcome to

Thyme to Be

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Imago Relationship Therapy in East Manchester and Online

Hello and welcome

I'm Karen, an accredited therapist with the BACP, and a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist. I specialise in couples counselling, for engaged and married couples, but am happy to support communication between a parent and their adult child, or between siblings.

I am Neurodivergent, and work with individuals and couples who identify as neurodivergent, typically, Autistic, as having ADHD, AuDH, and also as Neurotypical.

I am based near Tameside, East Manchester, but work exclusively online, with UK based clients. For many neurodivergent people, online therapy is a good alternative to face-to-face sessions as it enables you to work from the comfort of your own home, where you can accommodate any sensory needs that you may have. I am open to discussing any accommodations that you might need in order to work online.

You're probably wondering, 'what can this counsellor do for me?'

Well, if you are willing to attend regularly, and are committed to the process both within the session and outside, I can help you to:

Clarify your reasons for seeking couples counselling and what you both hope to gain.
Bring into awareness, underlying motivations for unhelpful and repetitive thoughts, feelings and actions.
Improve your communication skills.
Speak your truth and also hear what is true for your partner.
Deepen your understanding and acceptance of yourself and your partner.
Connect or reconnect with your self-worth, and your inner strengths.
Develop a safe, loving, and intimate connection with your partner.

I have worked successfully with a variety of issues, for instance: sexual, emotional and physical abuse, grief and loss, racism, affairs and strained relationships, alongside the search for meaning and direction in life. I often work with issues around identity, regarding race or neurodivergence.

My passion is transgenerational trauma; the passing of trauma between the generations of a family, and I often work with individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, and express their pain through anger, depression or high levels of anxiety.

“You may not control all of the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou

Couples counselling

I am a Relate trained Couples Counsellor. I am also an Imago Therapist, and now work exclusively with the dynamic and empowering model that is Imago Relationship Therapy.

My particular focus is couples who are committed to restoring their love relationship. It may feel as if your marriage is suddenly on the rocks after an affair, or, over time, the things that drew you to each other before marriage, now feel like intense sources of irritation. Your communication struggles may even feel like a mystery to you.

Through the Imago Dialogue process, we can co-create a safe space where you can both share your truths, feel heard, understood and valued, and where intimacy and love can grow.

You're not alone

Faith and spirituality are of particular interest to me, and I often have enquiries from Christians. I am not a Christian Counsellor, but I am a Christian who is trained to a high level in counselling and psychotherapy; if you would like our work to have a Biblical perspective, I can do that.

Some well-meaning people place a heavy burden on Christians, because they don't think that it is God's will to see a counsellor, whilst they might not question seeing a dentist for a toothache. Obviously, I don't share such a view, and would never judge anyone for seeking help.

You may stand at the pulpit battling depression, sit in the congregation struggling with anxiety, or it may even feel that pain has stifled your faith and you're done; whatever you are going through, you don't have to struggle alone.

A space to be

In a world where we can be so busy 'doing': earning love and respect, and generally proving our worth, I provide a space where you can take the time to breathe and 'be'. As we work together, you can be many things: still, heard, real, understood, co-creative, accepted, you.

If you are ready to overcome your past, and rewrite what seemed to be an inevitable future, whilst growing in hope and resilience, get in touch and we can discuss your specific needs.

Online sessions mean that location is no longer a barrier, wherever you are, Tameside and beyond, I look forward to hearing from you. Help is available, so take that step and book a consultation, because your emotional well-being is worth the effort.

About Me

My name is Karen, and I offer counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, and couples, aged 18 years old and over.

I understand that it can be difficult acknowledging that you need to speak with a counsellor, after all, you may never have sought help before, let alone from a stranger.

What can you expect from me?

You can expect me to see your worth, and treat you with respect, regardless of the experiences that you have had and the choices that you have made. You can expect me to be ethical and fully committed to our therapeutic relationship, working at your pace on the things that concern you. I will be transparent, and will refer you to an alternative counsellor or psychotherapist, if I don't feel that we would be a good fit.

Qualifications and CPD

Imago Relationship Therapy
Best Practice When Supporting Autistic Clients
An Insight Into The world Of Autism
Working With Neurodivergent Couples
ADHD In The Therapy Room
The Reality Of Living With ADHD
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
Advanced clinical training in Transactional Analysis
University Advanced Diploma: Introduction to Couple Counselling (Relate, Level 6)
Certificate in Counselling Skills
PGCE - Primary education
Psychology and Anthropology BSc (hons) (2:1)

Do I have a specialism?

I specialise in couples counselling with those who identify as neurodivergent, typically, autistic, dyslexic, or as having ADHD.

Common frustrations are:

feeling misunderstood

feeling rejected

feeling disconnected and alone

The nature of Imago dialoguing can be comforting to those of us who require

structure, predictability, and space to think.

The skills that you develop during the Imago Dialoguing process can be used at anytime, to safely address your frustrations, whilst working towards a shared vision for a mutually fulfilling relationship.

Personal approach

My main approach to mental health is based in Transactional Analysis which has the core beliefs of: I'm OK, You're OK - in other words, we all matter, (even if it seems hard to believe, you matter) and are worthy of respect.

We can all think and influence the outcome of our lives, unless we have sustained brain injury which undermines this ability. Decisions can be changed - especially those life limiting decisions that helped us to survive as children, but are no longer helpful.

From the perspective of Imago Relationship Therapy, I believe that intimacy flows from a safe, conscious connection, and view conflict, but not violence, as an opportunity for growth.

Get in touch

Whether you have a specific concern, or are wanting to explore non specific uncomfortable feelings, I won't be 'working on', or trying to 'fix' you. Instead, we will work together towards your goals for therapy, with the aim of enabling you to live your life as you want to.

I'm holistic in my view of emotional well-being, and along side counselling and psychotherapy, I may incorporate mindfulness exercises, or use EFT (emotional freedom technique or tapping) where it seems appropriate. Together, we can create an environment where your insight, healing and growth can occur.

If you are looking for a counsellor, feel free to call 07570099058 or send me an email. I'll get back to you within 48 hours, usually less.

Frequently asked questions

Currently I am based solely online.

Yes, I do work with couples. Initially we will contract for 4 sessions, this can be increased, if you feel that you would like more support.

Please note that I do not work with couples where there is domestic violence.

An initial assessment for couples and individuals, is 60 minutes.

Subsequent sessions can be 60 minutes or 90 minutes.

There is the possibility to have longer sessions, or additional sessions during the same week: fees will be charged accordingly.

You can book a session by calling or sending an email.

60 minute sessions

Individuals: £75

Couples: £100 (reduced fee £80) weekly, for the first 4 weeks, to support your learning of the Imago Dialoguing Process.

90 minute sessions

Couples: £150 (reduced fee £120) fortnightly, from week 5, giving you more space to process between sessions.

Reduced fees will be reviewed after every 10 sessions.

All bookings remain provisional until you have paid.

Once we have agreed, the date and time of our FIRST session, I will hold that space for 24 hours to give you time to pay.

For subsequent sessions, I ask that you pay, 2 business days before each session, via bank transfer.

Non-payment, for a first session, will be taken as a cancellation. For subsequent sessions, a notice of 7 days is required for a cancellation, if less notice is given, the fee will still be payable.

Fee Increases: I experience increases in the associated costs of being a therapist, i.e. insurance, supervision, advertising etc. and this may be reflected in my fee, which I review on an annual basis.

I am available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Occasionally, I can offer Saturdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

I've had clients who found that a single session was all that they needed to kick start the growth that they desired. More commonly, I have clients who prefer to work on a long term basis. Essentially, our work together will be tailored to your needs, and you'll have as many sessions as you need to achieve your desired outcome.

Short term work with individuals, is usually between 8 and 12 sessions.

For couples therapy, we usually agree to between 4 and 15 sessions, which can be adjusted, as required.

Long term work is open-ended, but punctuated by regular reviews.

Counselling and psychotherapy require commitment: to regular attendance, to being open, to processing outside of sessions. However, you are under no obligation to continue in therapy, and when you feel ready to end the contract, I ask that we do this in a planned way, so that we can tie up any loose ends.

I am an accredited member of the BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (membership no. 00919098).

I am also a member of Imago UK.

PRIVACY POLICY