Welcome to
Kirsten Owen Counselling
A confidential space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences
Counselling is a space that is separate from your everyday life and relationships to explore whatever difficulties you might be facing.
You might have a clear idea of what's troubling you, or perhaps you have a sense that something just isn't quite right in your life. Counselling can give you the room to understand what's going on for you, and to think about the direction you might like to grow in.
Thank you for visiting my website. Welcome. I'm Kirsten, counsellor, supervisor and living, breathing, thinking, feeling human and I believe in bringing that realness into my therapeutic role. I'm autistic and queer and committed to affirming and anti-oppressive practice.
I work in a person-centred way, which means I see and respect you as the expert in your own life and I deeply value the therapeutic relationship we create together.
I like to think about counselling being a place where the light gets in.
I work with individual adults around a variety of themes including, but not limited to, neurodivergence, burnout, stress, anxiety, life transitions, relationships, grief and loss.
As an autistic therapist, I really welcome enquiries from other neurodivergent folk and I invite you to have a look at the specific section below on this aspect of my work.
I offer online and telephone counselling for individuals living within the UK. From a private space within your own home, remote counselling can mean being able to adjust your environment to suit you and help you feel as comfortable as possible.
This might mean having a cup of your favourite tea during sessions or having a soothing object with you such a blanket, pillow or soft toy. Pets are always welcome too.
ND-affirming Therapy
As a late-realised autistic therapist, I see neurodivergence not as disorders to be fixed but as natural variances to be welcomed, supported and celebrated.
I also recognise that we live in a world full of neuronormative systems, assumptions and expectations which are frequently not safe and accommodating for our neurodivergent minds and bodies.
I aim to provide a space where you can bring all of your unique self, and where all of your identities are welcome.
There will be no expectation to mask, and equally no expectation to unmask either. I'll trust that the person who knows your needs best is you.
Safety for your bodymind is so important.
Perhaps you are wondering if you may be neurodivergent and are looking to explore this.
I can provide a gentle, non-pressured space to support you in your curiosity and understanding of yourself and your experiences in the world.
Supervision
Much like in my therapy practice, supervision is, for me, a relational process.
Being in supervision can be a vulnerable experience as we bring all aspects of our therapeutic work, including the parts we may feel anxious or concerned about.
I aim to provide a compassionate, supportive and reflective approach grounded in the seven-eyed model of supervision
Having been a qualified therapist since 2014 and supervisor from 2023, I recognise that what we seek and require from supervision changes over the life course of our career.
I will get to know you and your practice, and meet with you fully at the place where you are currently in your journey as a counsellor, taking both your professional and personal self into consideration, respecting where you have come from, your experience and your future developmental needs.
I bring a broad range of therapeutic experience to my supervision work having worked in the voluntary sector, with EAPs and in private practice. I work with trainee and qualified therapists, self-employed therapists as well as those working in agencies.
As an autistic therapist, I really welcome supervision enquiries from other neurodivergent therapists.
If you are looking for a supervisor, please feel free get in touch and we can explore if we would be a good fit to work together.
Qualifications
I have been a qualified therapist since 2014. I am an accredited and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and committed to abiding by their ethical framework. With my practice being online, I have a Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling. I also hold an Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision (Including Online Working).
Fees & availability
Counselling sessions are £55 for 60 minutes. Sessions can be weekly, however we can discuss how often we meet and explore what best suits your needs.
I have a limited number of reduced cost spaces for counselling students and those on low incomes/benefits. Please contact me if you would like to know more about this.
Please note that if you wish to cancel an appointment I ask at least 24 hours’ notice is given, otherwise the fee for the session will still be due.
Supervision sessions are £60 for 60 minutes for qualified counsellors, £50 for trainees.
Payments are made by bank transfer on the day of the appointment.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about counselling. I offer an initial free, no obligation, twenty-minute online or telephone appointment to talk through what you would like to bring to counselling and to see if we would be a good fit to work together.
You can also text me on 07456597406 if you would prefer. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.