Sharon Bishop

Sometimes life can be difficult and you may need to turn to professional support.

I am a fully qualified counsellor and a accredited member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). I have regular monthly supervision and work within the ethical framework of the BACP.

Some individuals come to counselling because they feel they have lost their purpose in life.  This may have come about through a change in circumstances.  A lot of my work has centred around all aspects of grief and loss ranging from bereavement, a child leaving home to the break down of a marriage.  When you have experienced a major loss you may loose all sense of purpose and identity, and this can cause you to have feelings of deep sadness and anxiety.

If you are feeling sad, or unsure of your role in life through the changes that have happened then I can help you to re-evaluate what is important to you and what it is you want to achieve.

Anxiety is one of the main issues individuals seek counselling - Are you a worrier? Do you spend hours going over series of events that have happened and analysing every conversation you had with individuals?

Not only does this steal your inner peace - it is non productive and adds to your distress.

The work I do on anxiety - you will very soon into sessions begin to understand why you are like this and what your triggers are.

Working through this at your pace and tailoring each session to accommodate you - my aim is for you to bring about much needed change to your way of thinking, and in a way that this is a tool that you will use regularly.  Worrying is habit forming - breaking the cycle of self doubt is the first start to your inner peace.

Relationships The most important relationship you will ever have is the relationship you have with yourself.  Low self esteem leads to low self confidence which can in turn lead to bad relationship choices.  When you begin to value yourself, your relationship with others will also change.    Self awareness and acknowledging issues is the first step in working with them.

Looking at your own behaviour and past family attachments/beliefs.  Do you suffer from low self confidence?.  Were you bullied as a child?   Was the attachment you had with your family healthy.  All these contributing factors may have resulted in your relationships with others in adult life distorted or even toxic.

By being aware of how you interact with others and how they interact with you can lead you to re-evaluate what change is required for you to be happy and content.

It is never too late to be the person you want to be.

What happens next? You can either contact me by telephone or by email.  If you contact me via email, I will ask for a phone number if possible so I may contact you to arrange an appointment suitable for us both.

The first session In the beginning you may feel anxious and unsure about what to expect from counselling.  The first session (assessment) is a time for us to get to know each other.   I am aware counselling can at times be stressful but my aim is to ease this by offering you a confidential, non-judgemental safe space in which we can discuss your areas of concern.  At the end of the session I will ask if you would like to continue with the counselling.  You are under no obligation and the choice to continue counselling will be completely your choice.

Further sessions will be discussed and arranged by us both.  Sessions are weekly.  This is for your benefit, so you are able to get the most out of the work undertaken and fully understand the process you are in and why.  When you feel ready we will discuss going to fortnightly sessions if required.

Each counselling session lasts 50 minutes - I work from my garden office which is a safe space to explore what brings you to counselling.

Organisations I have worked with include:

• Cruse Bereavement Care
• Lincolnshire Counselling and Mediation
• West Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Agency (WLDAS)
• Trusthouse Grantham (The Survivors Trust)
• CASY - (Children and Young Adults)
• Childrens Bereavement Centre - Any aspects of grief and loss - Children and Adults

I have experience working with:

Children/Young Adults

Issues include:

Abuse, anger, anxiety, bereavement (including loss of a parent), bullying, cancer, eating disorders, feeling sad, gambling, obsessive compulsory disorders (OCD), relationships, self harm, suicidal thoughts.

Adults

Issues include:

Abuse, anger, anxiety, attachment disorders, pre bereavement, bereavement (including loss of a child, suicide and sudden and traumatic death), cancer, depression, disabilities, divorce, eating disorders, empty nest (children leaving home), feeling sad, fertility issues, GAD (generalised anxiety disorder), learning difficulties, LBGT including gender transitions and cultural issues due to being Gay/Lesbian, miscarriage, panic disorders, phobia's,  post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), relationships, retirement, separation, sexuality, stress, suicidal thoughts, trauma, work related anxiety/stress.

Couples

Issues include:

Affairs, anger, anxiety, bereavement (including still birth), betrayal, family dynamics, relationship issues, separation, trust.

Individual £40
Couples £50

Concessions available for block booking with payment in advance.

Ever since I was a teenager I wanted to become a Counsellor. It wasn't until my forties when I was able to fulfil a lifetime dream. I absolutely love being a Counsellor and seeing the transformation of my clients. They come with various issues : anxiety, bereavement, relationship issues to name just a few. Even after just a few sessions they are more confident, focused and a lot more happier with themselves and their lives.

Bereavement is more complex as there is no happy ending as a major loss has occurred. What bereaved clients are able to do is to live with this loss and find their new normal by understanding the process they are going through.

I don't see asking for help as a sign of weakness, I see it as a sign of strength.   Maybe you are feeling sad and this feeling is not shifting - asking for help is the first step in changing your perception of you and your life.

You are important, be kind to yourself - you are worth it.