About me
Understanding Your Experience
Life events can leave you feeling distressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or uncertain about why you feel the way you do. You may find yourself dwelling on the past, experiencing persistent unhappiness or deep sadness, or feeling disconnected from others in ways that make relationships difficult or strained
You may be looking for support with:
- Anxiety, depression, loneliness, or low mood
- Bereavement, loss, or relationship breakdown
- Stress at work, at home, or in everyday life
- Unresolved experiences from the past
- Emotional, mental, or physical changes associated with peri-menopause or menopause
- The impact of current or past abusive relationship experiences
Everyone experiences life’s challenges differently. A confidential, non-judgemental space to explore your concerns can make a meaningful difference to your mental health and wellbeing.
My Professional Experience
I have extensive experience supporting people through bereavement and loss, including traumatic bereavement following suicide or homicide. I have also worked with people coping with the loss of a child, partner, or parent, as well as experiences of miscarriage, abortion, and adoption.
I also support clients experiencing:
- Work-related stress
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Low self-esteem
- Childhood abuse and neglect
- Relationship difficulties
- Loneliness and sadness
I work with clients from a wide range of personal, professional, and cultural backgrounds.
Professional Settings
Since establishing my private practice in 2019, I have provided counselling through Victim Support, the National Bereavement Service COVID-19 hub, Cruse Bereavement Support, Seasons Bereavement Service, Chadderton 6th Form College, and Stockport Women’s Centre.
I have also assessed clients for the Health & Society Counselling Service at The University of Salford and supported people through Victim Support following bereavement by homicide.
In addition, I work as an associate counsellor for employee assistance services (EAP), where I offer solution-focused counselling.
Accessing Counselling
You can choose the setting that feels most comfortable for you. I offer counselling and psychotherapy through:
- In-person appointments at my practice in Blackburn
- Remote sessions via video call
- Walk and talk sessions in a local park - subject to weather conditions
My Approach
As a person-centred counsellor, I recognise you as the expert on your own experiences. I listen carefully, seek to understand your needs, and offer support without judgement.
Person-centred counselling is a talking therapy that gives you time and space to explore your emotions, make sense of your experiences, and consider the person you want to become. Your individuality is respected throughout, and you remain at the centre of our work together.
I am committed to providing a safe, private, and compassionate environment where you can address your concerns at a pace that feels right for you.
Contact Information
For further information, please visit my website: https://bernysansomecounselling.com
To arrange an appointment, contact me via email here or by mobile on 07539 141411 (please leave a voicemail). I aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.
Training, qualifications & experience
Professional Background
I entered the counselling and psychotherapy profession after a career in senior leadership in education, where I served as an HR Director in an academy setting. In that role, I developed a strong commitment to employee wellbeing.
As a psychotherapist, I also draw on my lived experience of a range of life challenges, including critical and chronic illness, bereavement, and balancing the roles of working mother, daughter, sibling and partner.
Training and Early Experience
My counselling training included placements with a bereavement service, a women’s centre and a sixth-form college. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked as an Associate Counsellor for a government-funded bereavement service supporting people who were bereaved during that period.
Current Practice
Since qualifying in 2019, I have run a successful private practice. Originally based in Manchester, I have since relocated to Blackburn, Lancashire.
I work with:
- Individuals who self-refer;
- Clients bereaved through homicide and referred by Victim Support; and
- Clients referred through Employee Assistance Programmes.
Appointments
I offer in-person appointments at my Blackburn practice, as well as online sessions, usually via Microsoft Teams.
Qualifications and Awards
- BSc (First-Class Honours) in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Professional Practice, 2019
- Student of the Year Award for Counselling Studies, University of Salford, 2019
- Certificate of Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy Supervision, July 2022
- Foundation Course in Domestic Abuse Counselling, DACTARI Ltd, February 2024
- Certificate in Walk and Talk Therapy, March 2023
- Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling, Counselling Tutor, September 2020
Continuing Professional Development
I regularly undertake continuing professional development across a range of counselling topics to meet the ethical requirements of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), with which I am registered. I am happy to provide further details on request.
Member organisations
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
- Bereavement through homocide
- Loss and grief felt through life or relationship changes
- Longer term impact from Covid-19
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Fee
Contact me for more information regarding fees.
My usual fee is £60 per session (50 minutes).
I have a limited number of reduced fee appointments available if you are struggling financially which we will discuss at the consultation should you ask.
I work quite flexibly with clients, and choose to not charge for cancellations in many circumstances.
Introductory Calls
Contact me directly for an no obligation, no fee introductory call - usually over Microsoft Teams.
Contact Details
bsansometherapy@gmail.com
07539 141411
When I work
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Further information
I am a certified Supervisor in the Helping Professions, utilising Hawkins & Shohet's 7-Eyed model of supervision. For further details, please reach out to me.
I maintain a private practice room in The Royal Exchange Building, St Ann's Square, Manchester, known for its tranquility and absence of distracting noises. Clients often remark on the room's safe and comfortable ambiance.
Additionally, I have a practice space on Preston Old Road, Blackburn, offering a quiet environment overlooking green space. This room is situated on the first floor and is reached by stairs.
I also provide 'Walk & Talk' counseling sessions in the areas of Witton Park and Pleasington Playing Fields in Blackburn.
As a person-centred psychotherapist, I view you as the authority on your own experience. It's not my place to dictate your feelings. Instead, it's your opportunity to express what you're able to, whenever you're ready, and I will accompany you with comprehension, empathy, and respect as you navigate your experiences and discover your own route to self-acceptance and transformation.
Take a look at my website:
https://bernysansomecounselling.com
