About me
Sarah Leone Griffiths
“Guiding Star” Trauma & EMDR Therapy
BACP Accredited Psychotherapist | EMDR UK Accredited Practitioner | BPS Accredited Clinical Supervisor (CSAccredProf).
Sometimes life can begin to feel emotionally exhausting, overwhelming or difficult to manage, even for people who appear to be coping well on the outside.
You may be struggling with anxiety, burnout, trauma, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, grief, workplace stress or the lasting impact of difficult life experiences.
Many of the people I work with, are highly functioning individuals who are used to supporting others whilst quietly struggling themselves. This can include professionals, frontline workers, carers, parents and those who have spent much of their lives “holding it together” for everyone else.
I offer a calm, compassionate and non-judgemental therapeutic space where you can begin to feel emotionally safer, more understood and better equipped to process what has happened to you, at a pace that feels manageable for you.
My approach is warm, relational and tailored to the individual. I understand that no two people experience life in the same way, and therapy should never feel like a “one size fits all” process.
Training, qualifications & experience
Professional Qualifications & Experience:
*Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) – Membership No. 045891
*British Psychological Society (BPS) Accredited Clinical Supervisor – (CSAccredP)
*EMDR UK Accredited Practitioner – Levels 1–4 completed May 2024
*DDP Informed Practitioner – Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Level 1 (2022)
*MSc / PGDip / PGCert in Play & Therapeutic Play (Levels 5–7)
*PG Diploma in Integrative Counselling (Levels 4 & 5)
*NVQ Level 4 in Management – Barnardo’s Cymru
Clinical & Leadership Experience:
I have over 22 years’ experience working across psychological services, trauma therapy, safeguarding, leadership and clinical supervision within NHS, private practice, residential care and specialist frontline settings.
Current and previous roles include:
Clinical Lead of Psychological Services within Police & Fire Rescue Services - England - (2025–Present)
*NHS Band 7/8A Area Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor across Gloucestershire, London & Cheshire substance use services (2024–2025)
*Therapeutic Team Manager within specialist residential care services (2024)
*EMDR Specialist & Service Manager for NHS-funded trauma and substance use services (2021–2024)
*Barnardos Cymru Children’s Services Manager & Senior Counsellor (2008–2010)
*School-Based Counsellor within Blaenau Gwent CBC (2010–2013)
*Private Practice EMDR and Trauma Psychotherapist GUIDING STAR - 2004 - Present) ROSS-ON-WYE or Remote.
*BPS Accredited Clinical Supervisor
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I specialise in Trauma Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Systemic Psychotherapy and DDP-informed approaches when working with adults, young people and families.
My work is grounded in attachment theory, trauma-informed practice and an understanding of child and emotional development.
I support families and parents in strengthening relationships, improving communication and understanding the impact that trauma, attachment difficulties and life experiences can have on emotional wellbeing and behaviour.
Alongside 1:1 therapeutic work, I provide Clinical Supervision, organisational consultation, psychoeducation, team formulation and wellbeing support for professionals, services and multi-agency teams, including frontline and high-demand environments.
Guiding Star Trauma Therapy offers a compassionate, safe and professionally boundaried therapeutic environment. Therapy requires emotional readiness, consistency and commitment to the process.
Where individuals are experiencing immediate crisis, significant instability or ongoing risk, additional or alternative specialist support services may be more appropriate alongside, or prior to, therapy.
Therapies offered
Fees
£70.00 - £300.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Fees, Sessions & Important Information:
Initial Consultation:
Before beginning therapy, an initial 30-minute telephone or video consultation is required. This provides an opportunity for us to briefly explore your needs, discuss what you are looking for from therapy and consider whether my approach and style of practice feel right for you.
Consultations can be booked via email enquiry or through the secure “Book a Call” option on this Counselling Directory profile.
Initial Telephone Consultation (up to 30 minutes): £35
***Please note that ongoing therapy sessions cannot be arranged until this consultation and a basic assessment process have been completed***
Important Information:
Counselling and psychotherapy require emotional commitment, consistency and readiness to engage in the therapeutic process. Therapy is not a crisis management or emergency support service.
***If you are experiencing immediate risk, severe crisis or require urgent support, please contact your GP, NHS 111, (press 2) local crisis services or emergency services.***
Session Booking & Cancellation Policy:
Following assessment, sessions are held using a “week in advance” booking arrangement. To support continuity and protect your allocated therapy space, an advance payment equivalent to two sessions is required at the start of therapy (minimum £140 based on the standard adult rate). This secures both your first and final planned session.
***A minimum of 48 hours notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. Sessions cancelled outside of this timeframe may be charged at the full session rate***
Please note that fees are non-refundable once sessions have been booked and secured.
Therapy Fees:
Individual Counselling & Psychotherapy
50-minute sessions: £70
Weekend appointments: additional £10 per session
Online Therapy (Teams / Zoom):50-minute session: £70
EMDR Psychotherapy:
50 or 100 minute sessions: £100 – £200
Couples Therapy:
50-minute session: £100
Children & Young People (CYP) Counselling:
50-minute session: £80
Filial Therapy:
(1 Adult & 1 Child): £150
DDP-Informed Therapy:
60 or 90-minute sessions: £100 – £150
Clinical Supervision:
Qualified Professionals:
£80 – £120 per 1.5-hour session
(In line with BACP supervision guidance)
Student Supervision:
(Student ID required)
£70 per hour or £100 per 1.5-hour session
Professional Services:
Medical / Legal Report Writing
(From £300).
Organisational Consultation, Training & Psychoeducation:
(From £250).
Please contact to discuss organisational requirements, wellbeing support, trauma-informed training or clinical consultation services.
Insurance & Medicolegal Referrals
Higher fees may apply for referrals received via insurers, private healthcare providers or medicolegal organisations.
When I work
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Further information
I am one of the only EMDR Psychotherapists practicing in my home town of ROSS-ON-WYE HEREFORD
I offer a required 30-minute telephone consultation for £35 before therapy begins. This allows us to explore whether we are a good fit, complete a baseline assessment, gather essential details, and consider whether counselling or psychotherapy is suitable for your needs.
***Please note that counselling and psychotherapy are not crisis management or emergency services***
Alongside 1:1 therapy, I provide clinical supervision for frontline professionals, including teachers, police officers, emergency service workers, social workers, probation practitioners, and domestic abuse practitioners. I also offer support and guidance to carers.
I have worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist for 22 years across health, education, social care, local authority, private practice, and leading children’s charities throughout England, Wales, and the wider UK.
