About me
Do you feel like you are talking past each other, not with each other?
Do small disagreements blow up into big fights, or have you slowly grown distant like roommates rather than partners? Maybe trust has been broken, life changes have knocked you off balance, or you are holding back how you really feel because you are afraid it will only make things worse.
Relationship struggles do not just happen overnight, and they do not have to stay this way.
I am Sara Walker, a qualified and experienced counsellor and psychotherapist based in Rochdale, specialising in supporting both couples and individuals. I offer a safe, neutral, and fully confidential space where you do not have to pretend everything is fine. Here, you can speak openly, feel truly heard, and start to see the patterns that are keeping you stuck.
I use an integrative approach combining psychodynamic, person-centred, and emotionally focused therapy so I adapt my work to your unique needs rather than using a fixed method. Together, we will look beyond the surface of what is happening now and explore how your past experiences, beliefs, and expectations shape how you relate to one another today.
Whether you want to resolve constant conflict and improve communication, rebuild trust and emotional closeness, navigate big life changes or difficult transitions, or gain clarity and decide what feels right for your future, we will work at your pace without pressure. You will learn new ways to connect, express yourselves honestly, and move forward in a way that works for both of you.
I welcome couples from all backgrounds, ages, and relationship types. You can choose to meet in person at my Rochdale practice or online, giving you flexibility to access support in the way that suits your life best.
I am fully insured and registered with professional bodies, following strict ethical guidelines so you receive safe, high-quality, and effective support.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- I am a fully qualified Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, with a BA Honours in Counselling and Psychotherapy validated by the University of Lancaster
- I also hold - Certificate in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples – a leading evidence-based approach for relationship work
- Menopause Coaching Certification
- Relationship Coaching Certification
Professional Registration & Accreditation
- Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- Adheres strictly to the ethical frameworks and professional standards set out, ensuring safe, confidential, and effective practice at all times
Training & Specialist Development
My training is integrative, meaning I draw from multiple therapeutic models to suit each couple’s unique needs. Alongside my core training, I have completed specialist training focused entirely on relationship dynamics, including:
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) – helping couples understand and change patterns of interaction that cause distress
- Psychodynamic approaches – exploring how past experiences and early relationships shape current expectations and behaviours within a partnership
- Person-centred counselling – creating a warm, non-judgemental space where you both feel safe to express feelings and be heard
- Conflict resolution and communication skills training – supporting couples to move from arguments and misunderstandings to constructive dialogue and connection
Experience
I have worked in private practice for several years, supporting hundreds of couples facing a wide range of challenges, including communication breakdown, frequent conflict, loss of trust, infidelity, emotional distance, life transitions, and difficulties around family or parenting.
Before moving into full-time private practice, I gained valuable experience working in charitable and community sectors, supporting individuals and relationships through times of crisis and change. This background has given me a deep understanding of how external pressures and life events can impact a relationship and how to help couples navigate these together.
I work with couples of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and relationship types, and I offer sessions both in-person and online to ensure support is accessible and flexible.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£25.00 - £135.00
Additional information
Fees
Introducing new options
Per individual session
Ideal if you'd like to take a little more time or if you're on a tight schedule and need focused, quick support
Mini – £25
- 30 mins • Quick, focused support
Standard - £50
- 50 mins • Your regular space
Deep Dive – £70
- 90 mins • When you need more time
Couples session
Mini – £50
- 30 mins • Quick, focused support
Standard - £90
- 50 mins • Your regular space
Deep Dive – £135
- 90 mins • When you need more time
When I work
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