Sarah Ayre

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

Integrative psychotherapist, couples therapy UKCP registered
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Darlington, DL3 7BQ
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I am a Psychotherapeutic counsellor, Integrative Psychotherapist and Couples Therapist, I mostly work with adults either online or face to face, I describe myself as a relational based integrative psychotherapist, my framework is humanistic and relational centered work. I work with a variety of issues such as anxiety and depression or grief.

In addition I work with couples on their relationship struggles if you would like to know more please see how I work.

I came to this work as a mature adult after encountering many around me with mental health issues, offering them the support I felt was needed.

I am a registered member of the UKCP; in addition I am also a member of SCPTI and work to their Code of Ethics and Practice which also follow the Code of ethics and Practice of the UKCP. This ensures the protection and maintenance of client confidentiality.

My aims

My aim is to provide support in assisting you through exploring difficulties and internal conflicts and move towards solutions and living in a more resourceful and satisfying way, managing situations and enabling greater self-awareness. It is useful to understand our own motivations and actions and I believe in two fundamental necessities:-

  • The relationship between therapist and client should be understanding and trustworthy. If you are not comfortable with a particular therapist or modality, you should find another one which does work for you.

  • A willingness to change, consider how prepared you are to explore your rules and beliefs, in order to increase self-awareness.

It is important to remember that counselling and psychotherapy do not guarantee a change. They offer an opportunity where change is possible.

My therapy room provides an ideal setting where I am able to provide you with a safe, confidential and supportive environment. Conveniently located close to Darlington town centre, with good connecting links to public transport services (as well as ample parking located nearby). Toilet facilities and refreshments are also available.

How I work

My approach to counselling and therapy is based on the therapeutic alliance; this is the relationship between the counsellor and client, and is based on how at ease a client feels with the therapist. The therapeutic alliance or working alliance as it can be also termed, is in place when you feel comfortable enough to be open and share with your counsellor. Depending on whether you are in therapy for a few weeks or over a period of months this alliance should remain in place for the work to be successful.

In building this alliance with a client, I believe the benefits are that my clients know I am listening to, and engaging with them in whatever issue they have brought so that they may feel ‘heard’ in a non-judgemental environment. Working together we can make a plan of action on the best way to approach any problem.

My intent is to provide a non-judgemental, safe, trusting environment in which you the client will feel ‘held’ with the knowledge that what you say in my room, stays in the room.

My background

I have been practicing as a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor for twelve years and as an Integrative Psychotherapist for the few years. For a number of years i worked in talking therapies as a counsellor before setting up in private practice. I prefer my work in private practice as i am not restricted to duration.

In my role I am committed to furthering and challenging my development and continually enhancing my experience and skills through a committed programme of Continued Professional Development (CPD).

As part of this commitment to my professional development, I am currently in the process of completing an Advanced Diploma for couples counselling and therefore pleased to announce that I am now available to offer therapy sessions to couples.

I am, and remain committed to my own personal development; I believe that in remaining with personal growth, I have become more psychologically robust and contactful, whilst understanding how my own personal problems have affected and shaped whom I am today.

As a counsellor and Psychotherapist, it is one of my beliefs that self-knowledge and awareness is essential in enabling me to provide my clients with the best possible therapeutic support. The more I know about myself, the more effective I can be in supporting you, the client.

Couples therapy

In couples therapy you and your partner will both attend all sessions together and there will be no situation where either half of the couple will be seen separately.

During each session, I will encourage open and honest dialogue between the couple in order to talk about the issues you are both facing and how that is impacting you as a couple and individually.

The role I offer is to provide you with support to understand what is happening, and to help you find ways of supporting each other. This might be through an exercise or by sharing your experience with me so that you can understand how you are feeling about the issue you are currently experiencing.

My aim is to provide a safe, open and non-judgemental space where you and your partner can explore what is happening in your relationship.

Training, qualifications & experience

Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy

This training further enhanced my knowledge of the subject matter listed below which i undertook for two more years to gain this qualification

Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

This extensive training covers many different modalities of therapy and would be termed under a general heading of integrative, put simply this term is like a heading or title, and contains the following key elements:-

  • Attachment theory;
  • Developmental theory;
  • Gestalt theory;
  • Transactional analysis;
  • Congruence and empathy;
  • Dependency;
  • Bereavement and loss;
  • Projective identification;
  • Object relations;
  • Transference and countertransference;
  • Dreams and there meaning;
  • Personality styles and disorders;
  • Relationship theory.

In order to complete this training, I have completed over 450 hours of supervised ‘client’ time, and finished two dissertations.
If you would like to know more about the above terms, I provide an explanation of these on my website.

Advanced Diploma in working with couples:

Building on my previous experience I now offer couples therapy.

I am committed to my own professional development and training and to date have completed the following:-

  • Integrative psychotherapy training;
  • Forgiveness the double-edged sword in trauma Lynne Jacobs, radical relationality;
  • Richard Hycner, “The Therapist as relational artist”;
  • Working with relational trauma;
  • CORE Training;
  • TA 101;
  • Child Protection;
  • Drama Therapy Workshop;
  • Sexuality;
  • Working relationally in a time limited setting;
  • The role of shame in the borderline process;
  • Trans-generational Trauma;
  • Transference and countertransference;
  • Working with relational trauma;
  • Mental Health

Clinical supervisor working towards accreditation with the UKCP

Memberships

  • Scarborough Psychotherapy Training Institute (SCPTI);
  • UKCP

Previous places of practice

In addition to private practice, previous places of work include:-

  • Therapy and Counselling Teesside (TACT);
  • Holyrood House (Thirsk);
  • Primecare provider (Stockton on Tees); (name withheld for confidentiality)

CRB/DBS Checks

The former Criminal Records Bureau (CRB checks) have now been replaced by the new Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
I hold a current Enhanced DBS Certificate and is available for viewing on request.

The certificate is dated 11th March 2015 with certificate number 001479070704

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.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for 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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Photos & videos

Fees

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

If you are interested in engaging in counselling or therapy then please feel free to contact me. My fees are negotiated with individuals or couples depending on the nature of work required. Fees are usually paid at the end of each session. Payments can be made by either Cash, PayPal or Direct Bank Transfer.

The first session is an assessment session, this is a chance for us to discuss what you might want from therapy and your reasons for wanting therapy, and this will takes approx. 60 minutes and will be the same cost as a standard session.

  • A standard therapy session is up to 60 minutes duration
  • Couples Therapy is up to 75 minutes duration

Online clients are able to make payment by direct bank transfer.

When I work

My office opening hours are 10:00-20:00 Monday to Friday

Further information

I am a registered member of the UKCP; in addition I am also a member of SCPTI and work to their Code of Ethics and Practice which also follow the Code of ethics and Practice of the UKCP. This ensures the protection and maintenance of client confidentiality.

I also maintain Professional Indemnity Insurance (policy details on request).

For further information see my website, e-mail me, or contact me by telephone.

If you telephone, please remember I may with a client and unable to answer; if you leave a message, I will always return your call.

In our busy lives time can often seem short, and I recognise that many of my clients, and potential clients may work and therefore I offer availability during the following:-

10:00- 20:00 Monday to Friday

Appointments can be arranged by sending me an email through the Counselling Directory, or calling me on the number listed above. To find out more please feel free to visit my website www.sarahayre.com

69 Woodland Road, Darlington, DL3 7BQ

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older adults
Couples

Social