Karen Dow

I’m genuine, approachable and easy to talk to. I enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life and believe that a little humour, when the time is right, can help lighten even life’s heaviest moments. Therapy doesn’t always have to feel heavy. Sometimes understanding what’s happening in our minds and bodies, and finding hope can become powerful parts of the healing process.

Before becoming a psychologist, I spent many years working in the travel industry which included leading tours around the world. It was an adventurous and rewarding chapter of my life that fuelled my curiosity about people, their stories and the experiences that shape who they become. That curiosity has never left me. I’m endlessly curious about people and consider it a privilege when someone trusts me with their story.

I work with adults aged 16 years and over and have a particular clinical interest in supporting people living with the effects of complex trauma. A significant focus of my clinical work has been helping adults recover from the impact of childhood trauma, family and relationship trauma, workplace trauma, first responder trauma, motor vehicle accidents, death of a loved one and other overwhelming life experiences. I also enjoy working with people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions and women’s wellbeing.

I believe therapy is a collaborative process. My role isn’t to tell people how they should live their lives, but to walk alongside them as they make sense of their experiences, recognise their strengths, values and discover new ways of moving forward.

Trauma can influence the way we think, feel, behave, relate to others and experience the world around us. It can leave people feeling stuck, overwhelmed or disconnected from themselves. 

“I believe healing doesn’t mean forgetting what has happened; it means helping people reclaim the parts of themselves that trauma tried to take away”

My work is informed by evidence-based approaches including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness, neuropsychotherapy principles and Ego State Therapy. Every person is unique, so I tailor therapy to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Seeking support takes courage, and I never lose sight of how difficult that first appointment can feel. My goal is for every client to leave feeling genuinely heard, understood and more hopeful than when they arrived. Whether you’re working through the effects of trauma, navigating life’s challenges or wanting to better understand yourself, I hope you’ll discover that healing is possible and that you don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. Because when one person heals, the ripple effect extends far beyond them. The emotional footprints we leave today have the potential to positively influence the lives of those around us for generations to come.

 

Age Groups

• Teenagers
• Adults
• Older Adults

 

Therapeutic Approaches and Modalities

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Group Therapy/Programs
• Mindfulness

 

• Mental Wellbeing • Depression & Mood Disorders • Anxiety & Stress Disorders (Including OCD) • Behavioural Issues • Somatic Disorders • Trauma/PTSD • Older Persons Mental Health • Adjustment Disorders • Anger Management • Phobias • Domestic Violence • Grief & Loss • Stress • Sleep Disorders • Self-Harm • Substance Misuse & Addiction