I started my working life as a physiotherapist, specialising in inpatient cardio-respiratory care. My last NHS physio job was in a specialist cancer unit and a local hospice. I realised, (even in my predominantly physical work at that time), the tremendous value of being alongside people in a supportive way when they were experiencing emotional suffering and observed the strong links between the physical and psychological aspects of our experience.
As I took some time away from work to have my family, I experienced my own mental ill health with severe postnatal illness.
Through my recovery and volunteering with NHS mental health services after this, I decided to retrain as a psychotherapist. It was also at this point in my life that I discovered the profound benefits of a personal yoga practice, which has nourished and supported me since.
Since qualifying as a psychodynamic psychotherapist, I have worked for nearly 15 years in a blended way – working part-time as a secondary school counsellor with young people from 11-18 yrs old, alongside my private psychotherapy practice.
Having developed a special interest in trauma and adverse experiences through childhood, I have added further trainings in this field.
These include EMDR therapy, mindfulness-based approaches and more somatic/ body-based ways of working with the nervous system, including breath work and polyvagal theory.
With my own established yoga practice of many years, I trained as a yoga teacher in 2021 and then went on to complete an in-depth 600hr Yoga Therapy Diploma.
This integrates my mind and body qualifications and deepens my understanding of working in a truly holistic and multi-layered way to support both mental and physical health.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, Kings College, London University 1992-1997
- Post Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, (Distinction), Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF) 2008-2012
- Mindfulness in Schools Teacher Training 2013
- Training in Mindfulness Based Approaches, Level 1, Exeter University, 2015
- BPS Approved Introductory Certificate in CBT 2019
- EMDR Training Part 1, 2 & 3 2021
- Yoga Teacher training 200hrs, Yoga Campus London, 2021-2022
- Yoga Therapy Professional Diploma 600hrs – (completing final case studies), The Minded Institute, 2023-2025
- Pregnancy and Post-Natal Yoga Training 80hrs 2025
Memberships
- Member of the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP)
- Member of The EMDR Association UK
- Member of the British Wheel of Yoga
- Currently qualified from The Minded Institute to practice Yoga Therapy as a student practitioner
What is The Karuna Pod?
Karuna Pod is the culmination of over twenty years of therapeutic practice across various settings, working with a diverse mix of people, experiencing a wide range of difficulties.
Karuna is a Sanskrit term relating to compassion in action; both for others and for oneself.
A pod can be:
- a protective container for seeds, that can bear huge energetic potential for growth and creativity, given the right conditions
- a small simple building or dwelling, protected from the elements
- a group of people who have a lot of contact and prioritise one another’s needs
- a small group of marine animals that move together and look out for one another
Pod also happens to be my family nickname from birth!
My hope is that The Karuna Pod can become a safe space, and a place for potential growth, where people can come together and share an experience of compassion in action – both for themselves, and to/ from others.
© Pip Tuppen
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