Hannah Sterling

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she/her
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Bristol, Somerset, BS1
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Are you feeling an increased level of anxiety or depression? Experienced a recent bereavement or loss? Maybe you'd like to explore recurring relationship patterns? Or have an early experience or trauma that is affecting you as an adult?

Whatever stage of your life you're currently negotiating, I offer an authentic space where we can talk and explore what it is to be you. Our work will be safe, confidential and accepting of whatever is troubling you.

My work is fundamentally trauma-focused and compassionate: following the theory that all parts of us emerge to help us survive and cope with traumas and relationships that we experience through our life.  As we grow, we often notice that the parts that used to serve us so well, now get in the way of living a wholehearted life.  A large part of therapy is noticing what you want to hold onto and deciding what to let go.

As well as being a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor of adults, I am currently training as a Play Therapist to work with children. When working face-to-face, I offer sandtray therapy and other creative options to work at an unconscious level.

​I am calm, accepting and caring and you can expect to find the most authentic version of me in the counselling room.

Although I work with a wide variety of clients with different presenting issues, I have additional training to work with trauma, infertility, victims of narcissistic abuse and the adult children of addicts.  

Training, qualifications & experience

I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling (PGDip) from UWE Bristol and a Certificate in Counselling from Birkbeck University. I have worked in a variety of settings with young people and adults in Bristol and South Glos including at Bristol Mind and The Priory.  While at Bristol Mind, I co-ordinated the MindLine and MindLine Trans+ helplines which included the recruitment and training of volunteers.  Research interests include trauma theory, neuropsychology and play therapy.

I am currently undertaking a Certificate in Therapeutic Play and can be found on both the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) register and the PTUK (Play Therapy UK) register of Play Therapists

I have additional training in Infertility counselling (BICA certified), Internal Family Systems, Narcissistic Abuse (relational and familial) and working with the adult children of addicts.  I am gender-aware and an advocate for the Trans community.  

In my pre-counselling life I have completed a degree in English Literature and Film Studies (BA Hons) and worked in the charity sector helping to raise thousands of pounds for charities nationwide. I have held contracts in financial services roles and also worked with young homeless people in North London and as a support worker to young mums.

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

Fees

£60.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

Initial session - £30

Weekly thereafter - £60

Some low-cost appointments are sometimes available - please enquire for more details

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I work face to face on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.  Enquire for availability.

Bristol, Somerset, BS1

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Adults
Older Adults

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

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Hannah Sterling
Hannah Sterling