About Karen Doherty
What I do
I’m a relationship therapist, cultural commentator on modern love and specialist in relationship dynamics and neurodivergence.
Couples Therapy
My main work is helping all kinds of couples to understand each other in ways they’ve never been taught. My work reveals the processing differences, emotional patterns, and unspoken assumptions that can quietly erode connection.
When couples finally see the ‘why’ beneath their conflict or difficulties, everything changes. Communication opens. Trust rebuilds. Safety returns. Love becomes possible again.
Cultural Commentator
We’re living in a world of relentless pace, digital overload, and shifting identities. Couples are navigating pressures that didn’t exist a decade ago, and the old relational maps no longer work.
My work sits at the intersection of relational psychology, modern culture, and recognising the dynamics and patterns that shape how we love today.
Accreditations and professional development
I am a fully qualified Psychosexual Therapist and Relationship Coach, with over 20 years experience.
- PG Dip in Individual and Relationship Therapy (Tavistock Centre for Relationships)
- MSC Psychosexual Therapy
- Internship EMFT
- BACP Member
- COSRT
- UKCP Accredited
How I work
I work with the architecture of a relationship.
How two internal worlds meet, clash, or misread each other.
My approach integrates:
- Deep emotional attunement
- Pattern recognition
- Attachment and intimacy frameworks
- An understanding of how technology, identity, and neurodivergent processing impact connection today
I offer help in different formats for my couples so that they can get the best from therapy. This can be weekly coaching sessions, coaching packages or intensive vision days.
I use my own innovative coaching model.
It’s a unique blend of psychodynamic therapy, behavioural and coaching techniques. I create a safe space and a bespoke programme for each couple I work with. Helping couples to decode their patterns and rewrite their COUPLE DEAL, so that they can move forward with clarity, boundaries and accountability.
Once the couple is out of crisis mode we can go deeper to strengthen the love and understanding that can rekindle the original connection.
I speak to couples across all of life’s stages: from those just starting out, those experiencing life transitions, couples in crisis, couples trying to recover from an affair, loss of sexual and intimate connection, and the challenges of grief and loss.
Why I do what I do
I believe that relationships are the most powerful source of stability, growth, and meaning. But, they need intentional care.
Couple relationships offer the safest, kindest base for any of us to move into the world, develop, grow and thrive as individuals and together.
When an individual feels as if there is another person on their team then life work, managing families, illness and life challenges can feel slightly less daunting. The quality of our relationships enhances the quality of our lived experience. My work is to help restore harmony, joy and stability to those who have lost touch with this in their relationship.
My Values
- To provide a consistent safe space for my clients
- To maintain my skill set to reflect current learning and thinking
- To provide compassionate and attentive listening
- To maintain the procedures , confidentiality and integrity as laid out in the governing bodies of UKCP, BACP, COSRT
Background
Once I completed my training at TCCR, I opened a clinic in Canary Wharf with colleagues, Reframe Counselling. We opened a second branch in Mayfair and recruited more therapists. The Reframe team specialises in couples and relationships and we meet every fortnight for supervision.
In 2016 I gave my first talk about how neurodivergence may impact couple relationships. Recognising the patterns and helping couples manage the impact of neurodivergence in relationships has become a core part of work.
In 2019 I gave a presentation to CORST on how Autism can impact couples.
Since the pandemic I have launched two online courses ‘Focused on Autism’ and ‘ADHD and relationships’. These are for couples wishing to understand how neurodivergence can impact their relationship.
I run regular webinars on the impact of neurodivergence in relationships.
In 2026 I established the Karen Doherty Clinic for couples in crisis or who are impacted by neurodivergence.
Recently I have appeared on ADHD Chatter, Hidden 20% podcasts and Netflix Blue Therapy.
My role on Blue Therapy invites viewers inside the therapeutic process. They get to witness the real work couples must do to repair trust, deepen intimacy, and navigate the pressures of modern life.
As society changes, relationships must evolve too.
I offer the clarity, structure, and emotional intelligence that couples need to stay connected. and the insight that helps audiences worldwide understand love in a new way.