Sara Close

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MBACP

About me

A space to feel heard, understood and accepted

Online person-centred counselling for adults in North Yorkshire, and across the UK, who are experiencing anxiety, self-doubt, relationship difficulties or other challenges in their lives. 

I have a particular interest in supporting clients who are struggling to find their own voice in amongst the expectations they feel have been placed on them by others in their lives, or by society as a whole. Perhaps you feel unable to live the life you want to live through fear of being judged, or you feel weighed down by the feeling that your life “should” look different from how it actually does. In sessions we can look at what matters to you, what your values are, and how you can live a life that feels more aligned with who you really are.

In sessions together we may explore feelings such as guilt, shame, self-doubt or simply the sense that life hasn't turned out quite as you imagined it would have. This area of counselling is one I am particularly passionate about having spent parts of my own life feeling concerned by how others view me, and finding that my mental health and sense of wellbeing suffered as a result. Over time, I have learned to trust my own voice more, and I want to help you to do the same.

Counselling can give you a space to explore where the expectations you carry came from, so that you can gain clarity about whether you are living your life according to what you want or in order to do the things you feel you "should" do. Gaining clarity about this can help you understand how you really feel and help you to begin to separate your own feelings from the opinions and expectations of others around you.

My work is grounded in person-centred counselling, which means I believe you are the expert on your own life. I won't tell you what you should do or decide what the right way forward is for you. But that doesn't mean simply sitting and listening. Together, we can explore the beliefs and expectations you've been carrying, where they came from, the parts of your story that feel difficult to face, and the difference between how you really feel and how you think you should feel.

I'll offer empathy, acceptance, curiosity and gentle challenge, where it feels helpful, giving you space to understand yourself more deeply and begin trusting your own feelings and choices.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and hold a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. My qualifications are as follows:

  • Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Humanistic Route)
  • Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
  • Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology

During my counsellor training I volunteered as a student counsellor at my local branch of the mental health charity Mind, and at a children's hospice supporting bereaved parents. 

Member organisations

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

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£50.00 per session

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

After you contact me, we can arrange a free 15–20 minute introductory telephone call. You can tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions and get a sense of whether I might be the right counsellor for you. There is no obligation to book a session afterwards. If you would like to continue, sessions last 50 minutes and cost £50.

Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL7

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Online platforms

Google Meet

Social