Sallie Ward

Are you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, low or stuck? Perhaps you're struggling with your relationships, experiencing a loss, or finding it difficult to cope with something that has happened in your life.

I'm Sallie, an experienced, UKCP-accredited psychotherapist based in Teddington. I offer a warm, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about whatever is going on for you.

You don't need to have everything worked out before you come to therapy. Sometimes it can be difficult to put into words what you're feeling or understand why you're feeling the way you do. I aim to offer a space where you can explore what is happening for you, talk about your experiences and consider what you might need from therapy.

A Brief Summary:

• Anxiety & self-esteem – my primary area of interest
• Childless not by choice – specialist experience
• Counselling & psychotherapy trainees – experienced with a range of modalities
• Private practice in Teddington – face-to-face, online & flexible hybrid sessions
• Private medical insurance – approved by Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva & Vitality
• Free 15-minute consultation – an opportunity to talk about what you need

In More Detail:

My areas of particular interest
Anxiety, self-esteem and feeling overwhelmed.

Anxiety can affect every part of life, whether you're experiencing constant worry, panic attacks, overthinking, difficulty sleeping or simply feeling that you're no longer coping as well as you would like. You may also struggle with low self-esteem, confidence or a fear of getting things wrong.

Therapy can provide a space to explore what's behind your anxiety, recognise patterns that may be keeping you stuck with the aim of developing a kinder and more helpful relationship with yourself. Together, we can explore ways that might build confidence, manage difficult emotions and help you come to choices that feel right for you.

Childless not by choice
I have a particular interest in supporting people who are childless not by choice, including those whose journey has involved miscarriage, IVF difficulties, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), early menopause, not meeting a partner with whom to have children, or challenges around starting a family as a same-sex couple.

Involuntary childlessness can involve profound grief, loss, anger, uncertainty and feelings of isolation, particularly when it feels as though others don't understand. Therapy offers a space where you can talk openly about your experience, have your feelings heard and explore who you are and what life might look like beyond the hopes and expectations you once had.

Counselling and psychotherapy trainees
I have many years’ experience of working with counselling and psychotherapy trainees and understand that training can be both rewarding and challenging. I work with trainees from a range of modalities, including the Humanistic schools, and as a Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA), I am also qualified to work with trainees undertaking Transactional Analysis psychotherapy training.

Alongside the demands of training, you may find yourself navigating personal issues, relationships, self-doubt or experiences that you worry might be brought into your therapeutic work.

As a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist, I can offer a confidential space to explore whatever you may be experiencing as you navigate your training. I offer a concessionary rate of £67.50 per session for trainees and work with one student per year at each training institution.

Issues that I have experience supporting adults with:

• Low confidence and self-esteem
• Stress and feeling overwhelmed
• Feelings of isolation and loneliness
• Depression and low mood
• Loss and bereavement
• Relationship difficulties
• Attachment issues
• Early emotional trauma
• Identity and life changes
• Feeling stuck in life
• Difficulties achieving your full potential
• Being Childless not by choice

This list isn't exhaustive. You don't need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what is wrong before seeking therapy. Sometimes simply knowing that you're struggling is enough reason to reach out.

Private Medical Insurance
I am an approved therapist for Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and Vitality, and have many years experience working with clients accessing therapy through private medical insurance.

If you have private medical cover, you may be able to use your policy to contribute towards the cost of your therapy. Your insurer will be able to confirm your individual level of cover and any authorisation required before starting treatment.

How I work
I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is an important part of the work, and I aim to create a space where you can feel safe, heard and able to be yourself. 

Depending on your needs, we might work together for a shorter period to focus on something you're currently experiencing, or over a longer period to explore deeper or longstanding difficulties.

My therapeutic approach is Transactional Analysis (TA). I work with adults aged 18+ on a one-to-one basis.

Face-to-face and online therapy
I offer face-to-face sessions from my private practice in Teddington, as well as remote sessions via Zoom or Teams. We can also use a flexible hybrid approach, combining face-to-face and online sessions where this best suits your needs and circumstances.

If you're considering therapy but aren't sure whether it's right for you, we can start with a free 15-minute phone or online consultation. This gives us an opportunity to briefly talk about what has brought you to therapy, answer any questions you may have and see whether I might be the right therapist for you.

There is no pressure to commit to therapy following this initial conversation.

Fees

• Free 15-minute consultation
• Initial session: £55
• Individual sessions: £70 per 50-minute session
• Trainee counsellors and psychotherapists: £67.50 per session

If you're thinking about starting therapy, please feel free to get in touch. Taking the first step can feel daunting, but you don't need to know exactly what you need before you reach out.

Somatisation

Childless Not by Choice

• Phone consultation - Free of charge
• Initial Session - £55.00 (50 minute session)
• Individual Counselling - £70.00 (50 minute session)
• Concession - Counselling and Psychotherapy Trainees - £67.50 (50 minute session)

A weekly commitment is required. Over 18 only. 

Location
My private practice is based in Teddington, close to Hampton Hill and Twickenham.

Parking & accessibility
There is non-restricted parking on the street of my practice. The therapy room is on the second floor and is accessed by stairs. Toilets are available.

Public transport
The practice is approximately a 10-minute walk from Fulwell station. There are several bus routes nearby.

Sessions
Sessions are 50 minutes and are typically held weekly. I currently offer appointments Monday to Thursday during the daytime.

Online sessions
I offer online sessions via Zoom or Teams. If you are having online therapy, you must be resident in the UK at the time of your sessions and in the UK when sessions take place.

Starting therapy
I offer a free 15-minute telephone or online consultation. This is an opportunity to tell me a little about why you are seeking support, for me to explain a little about how I work, and for you to ask any questions you may have.

If, following this initial conversation, we both feel that it may be appropriate to work together, we can arrange an initial 50-minute introductory session to explore more fully what your aims for therapy might be. Thereafter, I usually suggest an initial period of working together (4-6 sessions) so that we have an opportunity to consider whether I am the right therapist for you and whether the way we are working feels suitable for your needs. Following this, we can discuss whether it would be helpful to continue on an open-ended basis or agree a specific period of therapy, depending on your needs and what you are looking for from therapy.

There is no obligation to continue with therapy following the initial consultation.

Confidentiality
As a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist, I follow the UKCP Code of Ethics and Practice, including its requirements around confidentiality. I will talk through confidentiality and its limits with you in more detail during your initial session, so that you are clear about how this works from the outset.