Karen is a Speech and Language Therapist. She qualified with a BSc (Hons) in speech pathology and therapeutics from Glasgow University in 1986. She completed her MA (Education) through the Open University in 1993.

She has worked in a variety of clinical settings during her career and is now working as a clinical coordinator for language units and mainstream support bases within Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. She has a particular interest in developing collaborative working practices within schools.

As well as working in the Health Service Karen has worked within the University sector as a research assistant and within the voluntary sector. She has recently coordinated a Children's Fund Project CATS (Community Action Therapists in Schools) which looked at Allied Health Professionals working with non-clinical needs in mainstream schools. Karen is also an Elklan Tutor and runs a range of training courses.