About Karen

Hello and Welcome!

I hold a Master’s in Integrative and Humanistic Psychotherapy (Clinical) and work in line with the ethical standards of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist began in the sciences. I first studied physiology and pharmacology, driven by a fascination with how the body and brain work — and how we try to ease suffering through medical means. But as I progressed in that field, I found myself increasingly drawn to the human stories behind the symptoms: the emotions, the relationships, the deeper layers of experience and trauma.

This curiosity led me to retrain in integrative and humanistic psychotherapy, where I found a more holistic and meaningful way of understanding distress—not as something to simply "fix," but as something to explore with compassion and curiosity.

My science qualification provided a solid grounding into how the brain and body works, but psychotherapy opened a door into the emotional and relational complexity of human life. Studying neuroscience through the lenses of psychology and somatic experiencing added yet another dimension—one that deeply resonated with me.

I began to understand how trauma and stress are not only psychological, but also physiological—shaping the nervous system in ways that can keep us stuck in survival states. Studying literature from  Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, and Gabor Maté, I learnt that responses such as freezing, shutting down, or going blank not as failures, but as natural, adaptive responses to feeling unsafe. I believe healing occurs through both nervous system regulation and insight into our personal histories.

We are inherently wired for connection. In the therapeutic space, I’ve seen how being genuinely seen, heard, and understood in a safe, attuned relationship can catalyze profound internal change. Clients often arrive with a felt sense of their struggles, and it’s through the process of naming and tolerating previously overwhelming experiences that clarity begins to emerge. Reflective dialogue—exploring new perspectives and strategies—can lead to those transformative “light bulb” moments. I named my practice Talking Connections to reflect this process.

To remain grounded and ethical in my work, I attend regular clinical supervision and engage in ongoing personal therapy. I prioritise my own wellbeing and am committed to continuous professional development.