Karla Puertas Acosta

Karla Puertas Acosta is a trainee integrative psychotherapist and is a registered student member of the BACP. She uses person centred, CBT and psychodynamic modalities. Karla is currently working towards her Masters in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy degree. She works within The Awareness Centre’s low cost counselling service in Clapham.

des an environment that is safe and private, she welcomes clients to speak of difficulties they may be encountering or have encountered. Karla supports clients through their struggles in a non- judgmental environment, demonstrating understanding of the clients experiences, acceptance of the the clients thoughts as well as compassion towards the clients feelings and behaviour. At the same time clients are encouraged to challenge themselves within the safe space in order to reach their true self and identified goals. Karla uses an integrative therapy where the therapeutic relationship is based on the person centred approach. At times the use of CBT will come into play in order to identify patterns in behaviours and give the clients the tools to change their approach towards thoughts, feeling and behaviours. Alongside the therapeutic relationship and CBT Karla integrates a psychodynamic approach to further understand the clients relationship styles and development. Each therapeutic process is different therefore the integrative approach is tailored according to the clients goals and therapeutic journey.

Prior to becoming a therapist Karla worked within a hospital and clinic specialising in treatment for eating disorders. Karla has experienced seeing first hand how an eating disorder can take over ones day to day activities, effecting relationships, work and personal life. Karla worked closely with clients to identify coping strategies in order to regulate mood and emotions and to steer away from and challenge the impulses clients are faced with on a day to day basis. Alongside eating disorder, Karla has experienced working with individuals who have presented with anxiety, depression, shame, trauma and suicidal ideation.