I am a psychodynamic psychotherapist who uses an eclectic and collaborative approach to psychotherapy, counselling and consultation. I work in the Lower Blue Mountains in Warrimoo. My private practice is approximately 5 minutes from Blaxland, 15 minutes from Penrith and 40 minutes from Katoomba.

My Areas of Professional Expertise:

I specialise in 3 areas:

(1) Individual Psychotherapy / Counselling

(2) Relationship Counselling for Couples and Individuals

(3) Single-Session Consultations / Debriefing Sessions for Busy Professionals

1. Individual Psychotherapy / Counselling: I specialise in working with individuals who experience or suffer from:

Dissatisfaction with life, and general unhappiness

Depression and Anxiety

Trauma and Abuse

Problems maintaining meaningful interpersonal and intimate relationships

Grief and loss

Deep emotional pain

Feeling trapped in an unhealthy relationship

Inability to stop repeating unhelpful patterns of relational behaviour

Feeling disconnected from oneself, others and the world

Experience of feeling numb or blank

Pervasive sense of being alone and /or lonely

Belief that one doesn’t “fit in” anywhere

Feeling hopeless, or helpless, or “stuck”

Deep yearning for connection and relationship – yet restrained by fear

A need to answer the question: “Who is the person I really want to be”?

Dissociation

Personality Disorders (especially Borderline, Avoidant and Narcissistic)

2. Relationship Counselling for Couples and Singles: I also specialise in Couples Counselling and Relationship Issues for Singles. Some of the issues I work with include:

Problems communicating effectively

Feeling alone, or unsupported

Loss of intimacy

Feeling not seen, or not heard, in the relationship

Relationship “not measuring up” to one’s expectations

Boredom and loss of fun in the relationship

Reduced vitality, or sense of aliveness, in the relationship

Inability to stop unhelpful patterns of behaviour

Fighting all the time

Unable to resolve issues

Constant putdowns, criticism

Shame and blame

Infidelity – sense of betrayal, loss of trust

Difficulty co-parenting after separation or divorce

Problems with in-laws

Problems maintaining healthy intimate relationships

3.  Single-Session Consultations – Debriefing Sessions – for Busy Professionals:

I specialise in working with busy Professionals who don’t have the time to undertake short-term counselling or longer-term psychotherapy. Busy professionals often benefit from discussing a single issue, or a range of pressing issues. Many professionals find it useful to debrief or consult with me on a “one-off” or a “needs basis”, for the following issues:

To reduce stress and anxiety levels

To prevent work-related matters from impacting upon family and personal relationships

To preserve, or improve, relationships at work, home or socially

To manage difficult relationships more effectively

To reduce conflict in one’s life

To manage disappointment and blows to one’s self-esteem

To take time out to evaluate one’s life

To make space to reflect in a deep way

To explore one’s deeper self, or spiritual dimensions

To get in touch with one’s creativity, or other untapped aspects of one’s being

To satisfy a deep human need to be fully heard and seen

To answer the question: “Who is the person I really want to be”?

What will therapy look like and feel like? My treatment approach is highly collaborative. It privileges your feelings and your unique style of self-expression; and places great value on the felt sense of “fit” between you and me, the therapist. We’ll work together to identify your goals for therapy. Then I’ll assist you to work towards your goals in a way that makes sense and feels “right” for you. I also track the progress of therapy, and actively seek your feedback, on a regular basis, to ensure that we’re consistently working in the right direction. I’m flexible to change and open to your ideas for changing direction, if you feel things need to change, in the way we’re working together. Therapy works best when you’re able to harness your inner resources and unique strengths. For this reason, I use a strengths-based approach when working with you to maximise the benefits of therapy and/or consultation.

How will you know if I’m the right therapist for you?I offer a FREE 15- MINUTE Telephone Consultation to answer any questions you may have about counselling, psychotherapy, or consultation. During that call, we’ll talk briefly about your issues and concerns and I’ll also ask some relevant questions. You can then determine more easily if you’d like to book an initial face-to-face session with me. The sense of “fit” between client and therapist is one of the most important factors determining the success of therapy.

What distinguishes me from other therapists who work with individuals, couples and professionals? I have a rich educational and multidisciplinary professional background and a history of diverse life experiences. I’ve completed ten years of tertiary study in the Arts (Philosophy and English Literature), Psychology, Relationship Counselling, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. I’m a passionate and dedicated advocate of life-long learning and supporting personal, interpersonal and professional growth. For the past 16 years, I’ve worked in diverse though related areas: crisis counselling; supervision and training of counsellors; facilitation of therapeutic groups; mediation; conflict management; family dispute resolution; individual, couple and family counselling; trauma counselling; post-separation counselling for adults and children; and long-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for cases that have been erroneously labelled “untreatable” or “treatment resistant”. I’ve also worked therapeutically with high-functioning individuals who simply wish to deepen and expand their personal growth and enhance all aspects of their lives. Importantly, I know full well how liberating and transformational therapy with the right therapist can be. I’ve had my own depth therapy (Jungian analysis) as part of my own personal and professional development. So I’m able to draw upon a rich tapestry of educational, professional and personal life experiences to assist you to move beyond pain, conflict, inertia, confusion and disappointment to lead a more vital, alive and fulfilling life.

Duration and Frequency of Therapy I tailor the duration and frequency of therapy, or consultation, to suit your needs and preferences: I offer: (1) Short-Term Therapy or Brief Therapy (2) Longer-Term Therapy – sometimes called “Depth” Therapy, or Psychodynamic Therapy (3) Single-Session Consultations usually for busy and overloaded Professionals

My unique Therapeutic Approach draws on a wide range of trainings such as:

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Conversational Model of psychotherapy

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy

Couple Therapy

Family Therapy

Systems therapy

Narrative therapy

Solution-focused therapy

Mediation and Conflict resolution

Child-focused therapy

Client-centred therapy

Post-separation counselling

Family Dispute Resolution

Crisis Counselling

Flexible hours I can usually work around your hours if you have challenging schedules. Don’t hesitate to phone me to discuss your special needs around time schedules. I work business hours and after business hours most weeknights, and Saturday mornings.

Parking Free no-hassle parking on site

Fees: fees vary depending on whether you are doing individual or couple therapy and session duration. I offer the option of extended sessions for couples and busy professionals.

Wheelchair access

Some Private Health Insurance benefits may be available. There are no Medicare rebates, however.

Your Link to Professional Counsellors

Karen Druce – Counsellor and Psychotherapist

Counselling Inquiry From Australia Counselling

Verified Listing

Karen Druce – Counsellor and Psychotherapist