Counselling in Neath, Swansea & Online Across the UK
Supporting you through life changes and transitions
Personal Counselling and Therapy to Support Your Wellbeing
Welcome, and thank you for visiting Karen Aitchison Counselling.
Considering counselling can feel daunting, but reaching out is a powerful step toward change. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, managing ADHD or autism, experienced a bereavement or any challenge affecting your daily life. You're not alone—let’s navigate this journey together.
About me
I am a fully qualified integrative, person-centred counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I offer face-to-face and outdoor/walk- and- talk sessions in the Neath and Swansea areas. I also work online with clients across the UK.
One of the most important aspects of therapy is the relationship between the client and the counsellor, for many reasons, not least because you need to feel comfortable opening up to another individual.
My approach is gentle and non-directive, grounded in the belief that you already hold the answers within you. I offer a calm, supportive non-judgmental space where you can feel truly seen, heard, supported. And be able to reflect, process your emotions, and gain fresh insight, helping you move toward a life that feels more authentic, grounded and connected with your inner resources.
How can I help?
Whether you're feeling stressed, anxious, low in mood or self-esteem, or navigating a major life transition such as bereavement, a new job, becoming a parent, divorce, redundancy, retirement, menopause, or an emptynest, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. These changes can bring confusion, grief, anxiety, or even a sense of losing yourself. You don’t have to go through it alone.
I’m here to walk alongside you, literally or metaphorically, as you explore your inner world at your own pace. I also have both personal and professional experience of neurodiversity, particularly ADHD and autism. I understand that navigating a world that often isn’t built with neurodivergent minds in mind can be exhausting, confusing, and sometimes isolating. Whether you’ve had a diagnosis, are exploring the possibility, or feel that your brain works a little differently, I offer a space where you don’t have to mask, explain, or apologise for who you are.
Cope when life feels too much
Life can often feel overwhelming, stressful, and exhausting due to the constant demands of work, relationships, and daily responsibilities. It's easy to put others first and neglect our own needs. But our health and well-being deserve attention too.
Adapt and find meaning in change
Navigating life transitions – such as becoming a parent, going through divorce, menopause, an empty nest, retirement or redundancy can be daunting, but with the right support, it can also become an empowering journey.
Grow in your own way and pace
I am here to listen and be alongside you as you navigate your journey and explore your internal world, supporting you in finding your own solutions to difficult situations or challenges, and also equipping you with the ability to continue this process once therapy has ended.
What my clients say about counselling:
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
ADD / ADHD
Anxiety
Autism spectrum
Bereavement
Cancer
Chronic fatigue syndrome / ME
Depression
Disability
Menopause
Midlife
Neurodiversity
Redundancy
Relationships
Self-esteem
Self-harm
Stress
Work-related issues
Pregnancy-related issues and miscarriage
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about how counselling works or arrange an initial assessment, please feel free to get in touch. This first meeting is an opportunity to talk through what’s bringing you to therapy, explore whether it may be helpful for you, and see if we’d be a good fit to work together.
You’re also welcome to call me on 07845245513 if you’d prefer to leave a message or have a brief chat before booking. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have before scheduling your first session.
All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.
Frequently asked questions
What will counselling sessions be like?
In our counselling sessions, you’ll find a warm, welcoming space where you can simply be yourself. There’s no pressure, no judgment, just a calm and confidential place where we go at your pace. We’ll gently explore whatever you’re carrying, even the tough stuff, in a way that feels safe and supportive.
My hope is that you’ll feel truly seen, heard, and accepted for all of who you are. This isn’t about fixing or changing you, it’s about getting to know you, together, with honesty, care, and respect. Our conversations will be real and human, and the work we do will be shaped entirely around you, your story, your background and your personality.
You won’t be expected to fit into a box. Along the way, I’ll invite gentle questions and reflections to help you better understand yourself and what you want from life, always holding space for whatever comes up.
What kind of counselling do you do?
I find it more helpful to think of counselling as a way of ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’. There is no set of instructions or a checklist when it comes to talking therapy.
I primarily adopt a person-centred approach, which means I don’t tell you what to do, but rather encourage you to take an active role in the counselling process. Every person has the capacity and desire for personal growth and change, and my role is to help you work towards empowering yourself in a way that suits you. Sessions can be directed in any way you see fit. This is your time; I will always encourage you to pursue whatever thread of thought or emotion that comes into your mind.
Along with taking a person-centred approach, I draw from a number of different therapeutic techniques to ensure you receive a form of counselling that addresses the particular issues you’re facing. We will work together to understand what your problems are and the most effective way to deal with them.
What happens in my first counselling session?
The first session is 60 minutes, which gives us some extra time to complete the intake and assessment form together. With your consent, (detailed in my Privacy Statement and the Counselling Agreement) we’ll go through your contact and emergency contact information, brief medical and counselling /therapy history (as relevant), and a brief risk assessment. We’ll also chat a bit about why you are coming to therapy, and what changes you would like to make.
The assessment is not a test or exam by any means! It’s a standard part of ethical practice that helps me to find out more about you, your counselling needs, and how I can best and safely support you in our work together.
How many sessions will I need?
This is up to you. How long we work together depends on many individual factors, including how much time you can commit to therapy, and how 'deep' into the work you want or feel ready to go.
We will discuss this during the assessment session. Some clients find the help they need in a shorter period of time; others need longer to work through more complex issues that may have originated in childhood.
Counselling therapy does, however, require a level of commitment and time investment into the process: it is not a quick fix.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
Are counselling rooms accessible?
I have access to a ground floor counselling room which has a downstairs toilet and a step at the front door.
If you have any additional accessibility needs or considerations, please let me know so that we can make counselling a comfortable experience for you.
How does outdoor/walk- and- talk counselling work?
Along with offering counselling from my practice in Neath, I can also offer walk-and-talk where we meet at a mutually convenient outdoor location, such as a park. Sometimes an office or a Zoom screen can feel stifling; it may prevent you from truly expressing how you feel. Being outside in nature is a less confrontational, more authentic way of speaking to another person, enabling you to feel more comfortable and speak freely.
I understand that confidentiality can be an issue when it comes to outdoor sessions, and I will take care to manage our conversation and ensure we aren’t overheard by others. We can either walk or sit on a bench, depending on what feels right for you. If the weather turns out to be poor, we can switch to online.
Session fees
Counselling sessions for individuals last 50 minutes, usually taking place on a weekly basis, and cost £40 per session.
Depending on your needs, I provide long-term, short-term, and time-limited therapy, available in person, online and over the phone.
My approach to counselling is flexible — there is no requirement to attend weekly at a set time, and no limit to the number of sessions you can have.
Note that if you want to cancel an appointment I require 48 hours’ notice; otherwise you will still need to pay for any sessions missed. I accept payment in cash or by bank transfer.
My location & availability
I work privately within a clinic setting based in Neath, South Wales, and also offer online and telephone sessions for adults throughout the UK. Walk-and-talk sessions are also available in the Neath and Swansea area, providing an opportunity to explore therapy in a more natural, outdoor environment.
I also offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation, giving you the chance to ask any questions and discuss what you are looking for in therapy. Please feel free to contact me to check my current availability or to arrange your initial consultation.
First counselling session
Finding the right counsellor can feel daunting, but it is essential to find the right fit for you and your needs. Our first session is to provide you with a safe, secure and confidential space so that you are able to start exploring what you would want from therapy.
This gives you the opportunity to meet with me and decide if I am the right counsellor for you, as the counselling relationship is a vital part of the therapeutic process. I believe in the importance of the relationship formed between us, and that the acceptance and genuineness on both sides help create a healthy space for growth.
If you feel ready to take the first step, please get in touch to arrange an initial appointment or to ask any questions you may have.
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