Sarah Bainbridge
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I believe in my clients' potential to change and the science of neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to heal by forming new connections and pathways). I have seen the positive, life changing effects that counselling can bring in people's lives. Perhaps you are looking for ways to improve your own mental health and wellbeing or a parent wanting to help your child (11+). Effective counselling with the right person, can help reduce anxiety and depression; increase confidence and self-esteem; and improve assertive communication. This can, in turn, increase your ability to think, feel and perform at your best and help you reach your full potential.
Knowing that clients have found counselling helpful, gives me confidence in the process. Understanding that counselling may bring about real change and improvement to mental health and wellbeing can bring hope where there are feelings of hopelessness. Whether you are feeling anxious, sad or a mixture of both, I can offer support to work through emotions to help discover what you need to feel better.
You don't have to deal with your emotions alone. I understand that the idea of speaking to a stranger about your life and the difficulties you are facing, can be daunting at first but it can feel very freeing to talk to someone who listens without judgement and criticism. In fact, clients often say they find it easier to talk about their worries to me - an impartial, qualified counsellor - rather than friends or family. I work in a very gentle and caring way and I will listen to whatever you bring with respect and compassion: working at a pace that suits you.
A counselling session with me is professional yet informal. You have complete control over what you want to talk about. I offer a flexible approach to appointments and you can book weekly, fortnightly, monthly or as and when you feel you need someone to listen and give you their full attention. Face to face, online and telephone counselling sessions are available along with the option of outdoor/walk and talk therapy in both Oswestry and Shrewsbury.
I offer in person and online appointments, throughout the week, from my cosy counselling room just outside of Oswestry. Appointments are available during the day - Monday to Friday and on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. I also have limited availability on a Sunday afternoon. The counselling room is situated on the ground floor, with a step into the building; there is free parking close to the entrance.
For those who can't travel to Oswestry or who need a smooth, flat entrance to the counselling space, I offer appointments at the Roy Fletcher Centre in Shrewsbury on Monday and Tuesday afternoons.
If you are interested in outdoor counselling, this is available within daylight hours, during the week, for clients aged 18 or over. There are lots of reasons why people choose outdoor counselling. Some people prefer to talk side by side, rather than face to face. Some enjoy the benefits of walking in open spaces. Some feel safer being out in the fresh air. Sometimes it's just good to have a change of scenery. If you would like to spend more time sitting than walking, we can choose a location with benches or places to perch. Let me know your requirements and we'll decide on the best location for your counselling sessions, together. We can be prepared for most conditions and temperatures and dress accordingly but if severe weather is forecast, there is the option of switching to online or telephone counselling or to rearrange for when the weather is less extreme.
Whichever location you choose, standard sessions last up to fifty minutes and are priced at £45 (£35 concessions). Shorter sessions are available for children and young people, if required. Longer sessions - up to 90 minutes - are available for adults at the higher rate of £60. These longer sessions may be suitable if you feel standard sessions are too short, if you would like more time for working creatively or if you find you need time to settle into sessions and transition ready to leave.
Contact me for more information on how we can work together to help you manage life’s challenges with increased strength and confidence. If you have any questions or would like to book an initial session, please ring and leave a voicemail, send me a text message or email with your details and I will get back to you as soon as I can (usually within 24 hours). If you would like to speak to me before booking a session, I can phone you for a short chat, free of charge, to help you decide whether what I offer matches your needs.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- CPCAB Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Person Centred)
- Foundation Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- ABC Level 2 Award in Counselling Concepts
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Domestic Abuse
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health and First Aid
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Children and Young People's Mental Health
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding the Care and Management of Diabetes
- Emergency first aid at work and outdoor first aid trained
- Mental health first aid and suicide first aid trained
Further training
I have completed further training in online and telephone counselling as well as outdoor counselling. I have regular safeguarding and child protection training and have an enhanced DBS check certificate. I have also completed Prevent and safeguarding vulnerable adults training.
If you would like to use mindfulness, relaxation or breathing techniques to help anxiety, we can incorporate these into sessions. I can also offer coping and grounding strategies.
Using creative interventions alongside talking therapy is an area I have also had training in and pens, pencils, paint, sand and stones can all be used according to your preferences. These techniques can help express feelings without using words - whatever your age.
Experience
I volunteered as a counsellor at U&I Counselling Community Interest Company in Oswestry from February 2021 until February 2024. I have experience counselling children aged 11+, young people and adults encountering many different types of problems, challenges and mental health difficulties. These include anxiety, depression, bereavement, domestic abuse, family issues, low self-esteem, low confidence, relationship issues and trauma.
I work in a neurodiversity affirming way with those who have a diagnosis and those who suspect they may be autistic or have ADHD, ADD, Irlen Syndrome, dyspraxia and dyslexia. I do not consider people who are neurodivergent as having a disorder. I recognise that trying to fit in with neurotypical expectations can be exhausting and negatively affect your self-worth. I offer a supportive space for you to talk about the challenges you are facing without fear of judgement or criticism.
I provide a welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ and anyone who considers themselves part of the queer community.
Complementary to my counselling work, I have over ten years experience working in the role of SEND teaching assistant supporting children with social, emotional and mental health needs in an attachment and trauma friendly school.
Member organisations
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
£35.00 - £60.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
- Concessions £35 (weekdays only)
- Standard weekday day and evening rate £45
- Weekend rate £50
- 90 minute session rate (adults only) £60
- Indoor availability from my counselling room in Oswestry during the day, evenings and on Sunday afternoons.
- Indoor availability at the Roy Fletcher Centre in Shrewsbury - Monday and Tuesday afternoons only.
- Outdoor availability at various locations in and around Shrewsbury and Oswestry during daylight hours.
I offer discounted sessions during the day, depending on circumstances - please enquire for details and availability.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
So far, I have planned time off from Friday 19th July 2024 to Friday 2nd August 2024 and 24th December 2024 - 1st January 2025.
