Sally Jane Webster

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Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Carmarthen SA31 & Narberth SA67
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello and welcome! I am an experienced and caring counsellor who meets with you face to face in office settings.  I also offer outdoor, nature-based therapy  - sometimes called Walk and Talk sessions.  Walking and working alongside each other brings a depth of personal interactions, engagement with the natural world, movement and creative opportunities to our encounters.  I am passionate about counselling young people and adults who are at a crossroads in their lives, for example, if you are wanting to make changes; manage your personal, student and working life more effectively; be more creative, calm and joyful.

In our sessions I will use my skills and personal strengths to support you during difficult times and to help you feel better about yourself, build confidence, improve your relationships and other aspects of your life  My work with you is informed by many years of experience supporting others in health, education and outdoor settings and my love of art, gardening and creative writing.

In counselling sessions I will offer you support and encouragement whilst you express what is going on for you and then help you identify, explore and tap into your existing personal strengths and resources to improve your situation.  I can also share exercises and techniques that may, for example, help you manage stress, low mood and overload.   I can draw on skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused therapy where these may suit your particular needs. 

I believe as humans we need other people - their company, support and encouragement - and also contact with the natural world, in order to thrive.   I realise this isn't always easy, e.g., if the problem seems to be other people, the way you are treated, or there is difficulty in socialising and getting out and about.  Having worked with community health teams, student services and a refugee organisation I know it can also be useful to signpost clients to additional resources and activities that they can explore for themselves. 

Starting Counselling You are very welcome to get in touch with me to discuss the possibility of starting counselling and ask any questions you might have.  Do let me know if you have any health or access needs so that I can, if at all possible, accommodate these. At an initial appointment you can tell me more about your situation and we can explore the possibilities of working together.  I can work in a short term way  (usually 6 to 10 sessions) or longer term, but there is no obligation to have a certain number of sessions and I encourage you to check in with me regularly during our sessions and let me know how the counselling is going for you.

What is person-centred counselling like?    My core approach to counselling is person-centred therapy.  As a counsellor I see you as being the expert on yourself and your situation.  If, for example, you are feeling stuck, depressed or anxious, you are the best person to say how this is for you - and to decide what is important to you and what your version of feeling better looks like.  I can help you set your own pace and manage things step by step. As a counsellor I will support you to share your feelings and thoughts and help you to find your own particular way through your current situation.  This kind of counselling is based on the belief that people have the capacity to grow, find solutions, make positive changes in their lives and develop their potential in the various aspects of living. 

In person-centred counselling the counsellor's role is to believe in your ability to thrive and to offer a supportive environment to help you move forward in your life.  This includes being genuine with you; listening carefully to you and showing understanding of your situation, thoughts and feelings; and also respecting you and your values and not judging you or your situation.  

Nature-based counselling As well as meeting with clients in indoor settings I specialise in nature-based therapy.  This can include, depending on your situation and wishes, walking and talking, sitting together outdoors, mindfulness exercises and using materials from natural surroundings to express and explore your thoughts and feelings.  Being outdoors can bring physical benefits as well as helping with improving your mood and lowering anxiety levels. Do contact me if you have specific access/mobility needs as I will endeavour to accommodate these if at all possible. I can meet in a park, at a beach or a nature reserve after an initial session or sessions necessary to agree and establish our working arrangements for outdoor therapy.

Some people find it easier to talk outdoors away from other distractions. Others find side-by-side walking and talking is more comfortable for them than being face to face, sitting in an office. Previous clients have found that the outdoor environment helps them explore emotions and thoughts differently. They may come across animal, bird or insect life that helps them tell a story about some aspect of their own life and it may also stimulate their interest in wildlife and the outdoor environment.  Nature-based therapy clients can find inspiration for creative activities, physical exercise and sometimes experience a spiritual connection with other life forms or beings beyond ourselves. 

If outdoor counselling sounds like something you would like to try please let me know.  I always meet with clients for at least one session in an indoor location before starting outdoor appointments. This is because there is a lot to consider, for example - issues of safety and confidentiality, location, access and mobility  -and being outside in varying weather conditions. I can then explore with you whether I can offer sessions and locations to meet your particular requirements.

Areas of experience I have addressed with clients in counselling  It may be helpful to let you know that I have worked successfully with clients experiencing difficulties related to the following:-

  • bullying
  • early childhood experiences
  • panic attacks
  • depression and anxiety
  • physical health issues
  • relationship issues
  • work and home life balance
  • transitions to parenthood
  • menopause
  • loss and bereavement
  • spiritual concerns
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • caring for family members diagnosed with dementia

Do get in touch if you feel counselling might be of help to you. I am happy to discuss your needs in more detail via email or telephone and answer any questions you may have about starting counselling with me.  
I look forward to hearing from you and to meeting you.

Warm regards,

Sally

Training, qualifications & experience

Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Person-Centred), University of East Anglia, UK, 2014
Certificate in Counselling Skills, University of California, (Riverside Extension) USA, 1993
BSc Psychology, University of York, UK, 1982

Other professional training includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Family Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Existential Therapy, Process-Oriented Therapy and Nature-based Therapies

I work in private practice as a counsellor. I also have experience of counselling students in university counselling services, and working with refugees as a psychological therapist. I am experienced in working alongside interpreters.

In a previous role as an assistant psychologist for the NHS I carried out psychological assessments and CBT work with a wide range of people both in their homes and in a community based hospital facility.

I have significant experience of working with people living with a diagnosis of dementia. Working in care team development for an Alzheimer's charity, I helped develop individualised care programmes for people with dementia and supported their families and carers.

My work with groups includes facilitating problem-solving, anxiety management, reminiscence groups and art workshops. I have managed a horticultural therapy project, been a forest school and outdoor leader and now specialise in nature-based psychotherapy.  Complementing my nature-based work I hold a Masters degree in Wild Writing, which combined the study of nature-based creative and environmental writing alongside the study of ecological issues, including the health benefits of outdoor activities.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with


Ecotherapy
Nature-based therapy
Outdoor therapy
Horticultural therapy
Support Group facilitation

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 - £65.00

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Individuals - Initial Consultation and Assessment session         £50.00 

Individuals - Further 50 minute sessions                                    £50.00


Longer sessions available on request. Please ask re pricing for nature-based counselling as this is dependent on my travel and mileage costs.  Please note I am happy to discuss discounted therapy with you if you are a keyworker, a student and/or have a low income.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Carmarthen-based, mainly on Wednesday.  Midweek nature-based counselling in Carmarthen and Narberth. I will be taking leave during August and December 2023. 

Carmarthen, Sir Gaerfyrddin, SA31

8 Market Street, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, SA67

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Groups
Organisations

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

For nature-based work I welcome enquiries from those who have particular mobility/access requirements and will explore possibilities with potential clients.

Additional languages

I can work with clients using professional interpreters within organisations.

Sally Jane Webster
Sally Jane Webster