East London Therapy Karen Sheinman tel: 0771 374 8058

I have been working with Karen for some years now. When I first went to see her I was feeling a poor excuse of a human being. Addicted to alcohol, prescribed medication, self harming and severely depressed.

It's been a long journey of self discovery and recovery. Luckily I found the right person to restore a sense of trust and safety that was missing within me, to embark on and through this process. Her consistent support, encouragement, understanding and commitment has allowed me to rebuild my life, and put all of the pieces of me back together.

I felt safe with Karen through this journey undoing all the layers of pain and deprivation. She has given me a safe place to work through early frustrations and losses in the 'hear and now'.

I would highly recommend Karen as she is sincere, empathic, caring and a true professional.

Just wanted to say thank you for the life-coaching / counselling sessions!.....and for all your support. x



Hi Karen

I hope you are doing well and keeping warm in this freezing weather.

I just wanted to tell you, that today I had my Annual Review at work... and.... it was excellent. I had the highest review than anyone else on my team and I am so happy and proud of myself.

A year ago at that same review, I was told I needed to improve my confidence... which was one of the reasons that I started seeing you - and with the time I spent with you this year it helped me greatly improve my confidence, so much so, that I got a super review and people said some really nice things about me in the feedback.

All that hard work has paid off and I am so proud of myself, and I thought telling you would make you smile.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you, Thank you for being you.

When I first thought about finding someone to talk to, I was having problems being in a social situation in a confined space such as an office, shop, pub or restaurant. The thought of meeting a counsellor in an office or consulting room brought on a sense of panic and stopped me seeking help.

“Walk and talk” was the perfect way to overcome this. I was at ease being outdoors for the first session and found walking and talking easier than sitting in a room.

As the weeks have gone on, I find that I can talk through issues and exercise at the same time. I have become better in situations such as being in a pub or restaurant but still enjoy being outdoors walking when I can.

As the session have gone on, I have also enjoyed meeting for coffee after walking as I feel more relaxed in this situation.

Although it hasn’t worried me, I could see that some people might worry about discussing confidential problems out in the open. I find that when I am talking, I am unaware of other people around me.

Well you havent heard from me, which has to be a good thing. You obviously did a good job! I've taken the summer off work and had the most chilled time.....
thank you for being such a wonderful support throughout 2007/8. I'm sure we'll be meeting for the occasional session at some point - so that you can help me keep myself on track! xxx

"When I first met Karen, I thought of myself as "broken" - feeling tearful (often without really knowing why), lonely and with low self-esteem. I had reached a point where I felt I needed some help but was nervous and apprehensive about who to speak to and what counselling/psychotherapy would be like.

From the start, Karen was so warm and kind and put me at ease straight away. Together we worked through some worries which I realised I'd been carrying around for years (and was extremely relived to talk about out loud) and we challenged how I thought about myself (which, at that stage, was often negatively) and why I thought like that. Karen helped me to restore a healthy perspective to how I view myself, gave me effective "coping techniques" and helped me to face challenges which, before working with her, I was too nervous to even think about.

After working with Karen I feel like myself again (sounds like a cliche, but it's true) - only much calmer, happier and able to coach myself along rather than beat myself up for even the smallest mistakes (in other words, she taught me how to "be kind to myself"). Now and then I have a wobble, but I remember the techniques Karen and I worked through and know that she will be there if I need to have another session or two.

All I can say is - thank you so much Karen! Working with you has totally changed how I feel about myself for the better."
2013-2014

I first started seeing Karen because I felt unhappy and didn't know what to do about it. Over the years she has helped me to understand my thought processes and explore why I think the way I do. Most importantly I have learnt to accept the way I am, and stop being judgemental about myself, accepting that it is ok to make mistakes.

I have learnt coping strategies and techniques for dealing with situations I feel uncomfortable with. I became a more confident, less introverted person as I found that saying things in the open rather than keeping them in my head lessons their negative impact. Working with Karen has been challenging, often emotional, sometimes humerous, occasionally frustrating, but definitely the most important and worthwhile thing I have ever undertaken for myself.

Karen, I just wanted to say a big thank you for helping me through a difficult couple of years. I was at a very low point with my OCD when I first met with you back in September 2007. I remember many emotional sessions at the beginning, and you were always on hand with a box of tissues! It’s strange looking back and realising exactly how far I have come. Some of it has been hard to deal with, frustrating and upsetting. However, most importantly, my experience has been rewarding and a huge turning point in my life. I thank you for that.

I feel I now have the tools to manage my OCD and I will continue to improve as time goes on. I couldn’t have done it without you.

If you are reading this thinking of getting help with any problems you may have, trust me, you are in a safe pair of hands with Karen.

"I have been to see Karen at various points in my life, and I have always found her to be non-judgemental and incredibly supportive. Most recently, when I was feeling quite unhappy about where I was in my life (single and not knowing how to react to my emotions about this), Karen helped me to hear myself, and she pointed out that I have to be my own best friend and look after myself.


One of the things that I love about Karen is that she's not afraid to say what she thinks, whilst at the same time she never put words in my mouth! I always felt safe when expressing myself, and I am still working on trusting myself and listening to myself...the difference now is that I have a wonderful husband to trundle down the path of life with! And I was overjoyed that Karen came to the wedding ceremony to see how truly happy I was on my wedding day, and still am now!!!"

Karen was recommended to me when I was going through a very difficult period.
when I look back to the flat, empty person just existing as opposed to the happy, content, active person who's actually living now, there really is no comparison.

Karen gave me a safe, calm environment in which to air, understand and tackle the experiences and problems in my life.

Hi Karen,

I wanted to write and thank you for the time we had working together to overcome my recent difficulties.
I found you through using Google and Yell.com and was impressed by your website and the information I found there which inspired me with the confidence that you were the right therapist for me.

At our first meeting, I arrived feeling broken and weighed down by my problems including the depression for which I was being treated by my GP. Having achieved an immediate rapport with you, and feeling straight away that you were warm, non-judgemental and supportive, I felt able to offload the main issue I was dealing with. Your advice was straight to the point and I instantly felt better than I had done for months. You offered so much support with this particular issue, that I felt working together would be deeply therapeutic and based on mutual respect and understanding.

The following months saw the gradual undoing of negative patterns of behaviour and destructive ways of seeing myself and the world. We progressed at a pace that suited me with regular check-ins to evaluate how things were going and interesting homework assignments to support the work we did in the sessions. You listened, understood and advised always with a deep level of trust and respect. I began to feel as though I was rebuilding my life, dealing with whatever issues came up as our work continued, particularly from childhood that influenced the way I felt about myself as an adult.

Finally, when I was feeling stronger and happier than I had felt in years, we brought our sessions to a close. You helped me feel even more supported by saying that, if I needed you, I could pick up the phone and arrange a one-off session. So deeply embedded are the techniques and strategies you taught me, I haven't needed to call.

I now feel rebuilt and positive about the future; so much that I am in the process of coming off the medication I have been on these past two years. I am excited, happy and forward-thinking.

I'm so glad to have found you, to have had such an amazing experience working with you and to have you there should I need you in the future. Thank you for all you've done for me and for making the journey back to happiness such an interesting and fulfilling one.
With deepest love, respect and thanks.

I had always been a 'together' person, in control, knowing where I was going etc. Suddenly my life fell apart - my now ex-husband was in the depth of an alchoholic phase and tried to commit suicide and the man who had asked me to marry him let me down. My ex-husband's mother almost died in hospital, while he was away in rehab ......
Karen was a lifeline - she was a marvellous support and always there when I needed her. With her help, I got through those terrible months and regained my self worth and confidence. It is good to know she is still there and cares.

I started having sessions with Karen when I was at a difficult crossroads
in my life and very confused about the future. Karen offered an excellent
environment for me to talk through everything on my mind while encouraging
me to think about my situation in many different ways. It was very helpful
and I found Karen very easy to talk to.

My sessions with Karen really helped to give me more self awareness and work on some things that had not been working for me for a while. Karen and I quickly built up rapport and I gained so much out of just a few sessions.

My time working with Karen was very positive, she provided me with a great space from day one to hear myself out loud and work through some questions and decisions I had to make during quite a difficult time in my life. It's important to find a therapist that is welcoming enough to allow you to express yourself without fear and that's what Karen manages to do. She also provided some useful exercises and key points to remember when outside of the meetings and in the real world. I would definitely recommend therapy, and Karen to anyone seeking some support.

When Karen and I agreed to work together I was very happy and during my journey she allowed me to explore and gave no judgement only support and understanding. I feel I have gained a much greater understanding of myself And my interactions with others from those sessions. I enjoyed her forthright and down to earth approach.

Over the months spent with Karen I learnt a lot about myself and how I interact with my emotions. I've gained the ability to apply this knowledge to my everyday life in a preventive manor. My time with Karen has been an absolute success!


I'm female and 27. I started seeing Karen when I was diagnosed with an ilness my world came crumbling down. I hit rock bottom, my past traumatic experiences were also haunting me. I couldn't cope from day to day and very suicidal. Still was reserved about counselling but Karen was so easy to talk to, I felt safe and calm in our sessions.
She helped to bring out emotions I never thought were bothering me. She made me realise my strengths and how to tackle my weaknesses, very emotional roller coaster. Even in my darkest hours when my sessions would end I knew she was always a phone call away offering me support. I saw her for a long while and and still if I feel I need to I can go whenever I feel. I like that whatever I said, she remained non judgemental but she still shared how she felt and I loved that honesty (rare to find).
Karen I thank you so much I have so much gratitude, love and respect for you, you literally turned my life around xxx

I never got the chance to say thank you for all your help and support over
the past 12+ years so I am now. You helped me to see myself in a different
way so I now understand myself better, and feel equipped to manage and work
through stuff when I need to. I still think what would Karen say! so THANK
YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I just want u to know that I appreciate a lot what we had and how much u helped me!! Honestly, it was what I really needed!! I'm sorry I am saying it so late, but life is hectic as u know :) just quick update on how I'm doing, starting volunteering for the police in few weeks, going gym so look even more stunning ;) and started dating an amazing guy two months ago!! :)) thank u very much for all ur help, u r a great person and I was blessed to find u. Yes u were a huge help for me to explore myself and be stronger in what I want, and I guess I've got it all or most of it right now :))

I felt lost and hopeless when I found Karen. She listened patiently and prompted me to focus where I needed to focus. I never really considered seeing a counsellor before but I highly recommend that you do it. I highly recommend Karen, I cannot thank her enough.





Hi! Here is a review for you. I hope it’s okay. I very much mean every word. Matt x
Karen worked with me through the traumatic break-up of my marriage, my divorce and the difficult times that followed. Whatever state I was in at the beginning of a session, Karen would always help me find balance and a way forward. With a wonderful mix of gentleness and good humour she would support me through moments of crisis and help me find new perspectives and a resilience I never believed I would have. Karen was always a safe port in the storm, and I don’t know what I would have done without I know you asked for a short review, but I feel that may not do the impact you had on me justice, so I'll just speak from the heart:




Karen helped me through the most difficult time of my life. Between a nervous breakdown and then shortly after losing a loved one I'd developed a panic disorder so severe I was having multiple debilitating panic attacks a day (something that before this I believed was a myth made up by people unable to cope with reality - boy was I wrong).
Through Karen's incredible insight, experience and empathy she helped me rebuild, understand and accept myself like never before. She equipped me with the tools and knowledge to identify within myself those triggers and thoughts that got me to that point, helping me to protect myself from ever feeling that way again.
Karen saved my life.

Karen, you can publish that with my name if you want - I stand by every word.

Love and light x

Kirsten