Sara Paolini

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she/her/hers
BA PGDip MBACP

About me

Whatever brings you here, you are welcome just as you are 

Not just the parts of you that seem put-together, coping, or easy to talk about, but also the uncertain parts, the overwhelmed parts, the angry, ashamed, grieving, confused, messy, guarded, tired parts too. I believe therapy is a space where the whole of you is welcome, safe, and met with curiosity, compassion and respect.

Your story

I have a genuine interest in meeting you as you are, and in understanding how your unique story has brought you to this point in your life. My aim is to offer a warm, relaxed and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, relationships and experiences at your own pace, without pressure to be anything other than yourself.

A space to be heard

Whether you are going through a difficult time, feeling stuck, struggling to make sense of things, questioning old patterns, searching for meaning, or simply needing a space where you can be heard, therapy can offer room to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. It would be a privilege to walk alongside you in that process.

Working together

My way of working is collaborative and tailored to you. Some sessions may involve deeper exploration and reflection, while others may be more practical, focused, or gently challenging. Together, we can find an approach that feels supportive, honest, and meaningful for where you are right now.

I offer therapy both online and face-to-face, with the option of walk-and-talk sessions where appropriate.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am an MBACP-registered counsellor with a Postgraduate Diploma in Transactional Analysis counselling and psychotherapy. My experience includes private practice, voluntary counselling services, and third-sector work, supporting adults with a wide range of emotional, relational and psychological difficulties.

I work with individuals experiencing anxiety, low mood, trauma, emotional overwhelm, self-criticism, relationship difficulties, life transitions, identity questions, and the impact of past experiences on present-day life.

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

£45.00 - £60.00

Concessions offered for

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

Additional information

I offer a free 20-minute phone or video consultation, giving us an opportunity to briefly connect, talk about what is bringing you to therapy, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit. There is no obligation to continue after this conversation.
Reduced-rate sessions may be available for students or those on a lower income.

Further information

At the heart of my work is the belief that meaningful change happens within a safe, authentic therapeutic relationship. I work in a warm, collaborative and down-to-earth way, offering both compassion and honest reflection as we explore whatever may be bringing you to therapy.

Therapy with me can be short-term and focused, or long-term and open-ended, depending on what feels right for you.

Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

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

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

PVG Scheme

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Additional languages

Italian

Online platforms

FaceTime
Google Meet
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
Zoom