Sara Von Sommaruga

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Sevenoaks and East Grinstead Counsellor for Young People MSc
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Sevenoaks TN13 & East Grinstead RH19
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Would you like to be a happier and closer family? Explore difficulties and improve communication?

We all experience difficult times in our lives and struggle to cope on our own.  During these times we could benefit from talking to a counsellor.

I have nineteen years experience working as a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor. During this time I have built two successful private counselling practices in East Grinstead, which I have recently expanded and now offer counselling to young people in Sevenoaks. I provide counselling either face to face or on Zoom.

I work with children and young people, aged from 10-21, providing both long term and short term therapy to children, while also supporting their families.

For over fourteen years I worked in secondary schools setting up and providing counselling to students and supporting staff. During this time I have built successful working relationships with local Doctors, CAHMS and young people’s services.

In addition to my MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling for Children and Adolescents I have a Diploma in Group Supervision and have continued to engage in regular training and other developmental activities.

I have worked as an Associate Lecturer at London University, teaching on the MSc Psychodynamic Counselling for Adults.  I also provide supervision to trainee and qualified counsellors with a charitable organisation.

I am an Accredited and Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and follow their ethical codes and practices. I am up to date with Safeguard training.

What I offer:

Face to Face and Online video calls 

One-One Counselling
Group Counselling/workshops (I am currently putting a group together for teenagers, so if you are interested please let me know)
Parental Consultation
Short and long term counselling
Individual and group supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors

Reviews:

''Sara is really nice and easy to talk to.  Some of the stuff that we talked about was hard but Sara was easy to talk to and very gentle''. Young Person

''Sitting here now, months down the line, I have my child back.  They are happier and their old selves, laughing and smiling. My relationship with them is back to how it was and we owe it all to Sara.  I will never forget what Sara has done for my family and we would recommend her to any of my friends and family who need help''. Parent

  Together we will explore and resolve difficulties and find a way forward

Please feel free to contact me through email or telephone if you would like to make a time to talk about your child. I would be very happy to have a free, no-obligation chat about any worries or concerns that you might have about your child and to discuss how I could help. Why not give me a ring and ask any questions that you might have about your child attending counselling. If you are contacting me through email or leaving me an answer phone message please specify your preferred location for counselling. Such as, either, East Grinstead or Sevenoaks.

Warmest wishes  Sara von Sommaruga


Training, qualifications & experience

  • MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling/Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents,University of London
  • Diploma in Group Supervision, London Institute of Group Anaysis
  • Specialises in working with children and teenagers
  • Nineteen years experience counselling young people in different settings
  • Accredited Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists
  • Completed foundation course in Group Analysis, Institute of Group Analysis, London
  • Qualified as Suzuki flute teacher with American Suzuki Institute
  • BA in Fine Arts, Auckland University, New Zealand
  • Continued professional
    Child Protection Training
    Self-Harm Training

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

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
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

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 - £70.00
Free initial telephone session

Additional information



Counselling

Free Initial phone consultation to discuss your family/child
Individual: Sliding scale £60-£70
Support Group for Parents/Carers: price negotiable
Parent/parent couple/families: On request

Clinical Supervision
Individual - £60
Group - £40
Trainee Counsellor - Reduced rate

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Please feel welcome to email, ring or send a referral form through this link:

https://gateway.mayden.co.uk/referral/e3c21633-fbfa-48e1-83ad-2fd84783083a

Further information

Appointments are usually held weekly at a regular time which is convenient to you.

I hold DBS Enhanced Disclosure to work with children and young people

Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13

East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children
Young people
Families
Groups
Organisations

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom