Sarah Butler

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she/her
Counselling Psychologist, ADHD assessor, Accred BABCP, EMDR.
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Potters Bar EN6 & Andover SP11
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

  • Weekly therapy sessions available
  • Adult ADHD assessment
  • Intensive therapy for PTSD
  • tDCS for depression

My name is Dr Sarah Butler and I am a registered Counselling Psychologist. This title means that in addition to a degree and additional psychotherapy training, I have completed a 6 year doctoral level education in advanced theory and practice including training in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in adults. 

As a psychologist I work on many levels of understanding which enables me to work with your day to day difficulties, help you identify unhelpful patterns which might be maintaining the problem, and also look at the events and emotions that drive your actions. I am qualified to support you on every level and this can often include looking into early childhood to understand where early beliefs about yourself, other people, and the world originate. 

My approach means I am responsive to the needs and difficulties you bring to therapy, and our time together will be led by your goals and wishes, moving at a pace which is best suited you. I can offer a compassionate, non-judgmental and neuroaffirmative space for you to explore who you really are. 

My qualifications and experience mean I am qualified to work with trauma and PTSD and assess ADHD in adults, who often experience adversity in childhood. I also support people with depression, anxiety, health anxiety, social anxiety, low self-esteem and stress at work. 

Alongside regular weekly sessions I offer packages for; 

  • Adult ADHD assessment
  • Intensive therapy for PTSD
  • tDCS for depression


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Intensive/condensed treatment for PTSD

I have a special interest in providing intensive/condensed treatment for clients who wish to accelerate the therapy process. This approach can be helpful for people who are able to commit to several consecutive days of therapy. The therapy uses evidenced based approaches like CBT and EMDR and is tailored to meet your specific needs. Clients who have undergone intensive therapy report several advantages over weekly sessions for example; feeling a better sense of containment, an increase in motivation and a momentum which is more conducive to recovery. Clients also report benefitting from ring fencing a few days out of their schedule so they can focus their efforts on getting better without the normal distractions of everyday life.

My interest is reflected in my doctoral thesis which explores client’s experiences of an intensive program of EMDR for PTSD in the United States. Please contact me for more information.

In the first instance, I am happy to discuss your difficulties, answer any questions and to see if we are a good match free of charge.

Training, qualifications & experience

2023 Assessment and diagnosis of adult ADHD. UKAAN

2017-2023 Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology University of the West of England.

2020 IAPT (NHS) Working with Long Term Health Conditions. Southampton University.

2020 Attachment-Focussed EMDR. (3 days) Brayneworks

2020 IAPT (NHS) Supervision Training. Charlie Waller Institute.

2016 EMDR Parts 1,2 and 3. Sandi Richman.

2014 High Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (NHS). Exeter University.

2008-2010 Fdn Degree in Humanistic Counselling with Transactional Analysis

2003-2006 BSc Psychology and Theology

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.

BABCP
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

The BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.

HCPC
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.

They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.

Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
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 Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

Photos & videos

Fees

£120.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session

Health Insurance/EAP

  • Axa Health
  • BUPA

Additional information

£120 per hour online

£925 adult ADHD assessment and comprehensive report

£620 per day

*I am also a Healix provider for psychology sessions and adult ADHD assessments.*

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I offer weekly sessions and intensive therapy and adult ADHD assessments. I accept Bupa, Healix and AXA customers.   

Further information

More about therapy

Seeking help for traumatic experiences can feel daunting and frightening. It is not uncommon for people to feel embarrassed, ashamed, weak or out of control because of what they are going through. Because this is often the case we will work at your pace and address what happened in a gradual way, and only when you feel ready.  Most people find therapy tough but they also find that once they have confronted their fears they get a welcome sense of relief.

All trauma therapy requires a period of preparation, the length of this varies from person to person. Preparation involves finding helpful ways to manage your symptoms which are tailored to your individual needs and which will offer some immediate relief. During the preparation phase you will also become an expert on what is maintaining your difficulties and how you can overcome these.

During our initial call by phone or zoom

I will introduce myself and tell you a bit more about how I work, and I will ask you to outline your difficulties and what you're hoping to achieve with therapy. I may ask if you had therapy previously and whether you found this helpful or not. I will ask for your details so I can send you more detals by post or email.

During our first session (90 mins)

During the first assessment session we will discuss what brought you to therapy, and learn about your difficulties and how they are affecting you and your life. We will review any symptoms and explore any coping strategies you currently have. We will also discuss what you'd like from the therapy and your goals. There will also be some questionnaires to go through and an opportunity for you to ask any questions about the therapy and discuss your suitability for intensive therapy. We will also discuss confidentiality. and I will give you some advice about how to start managing your symtoms.  

INTENSIVE THERAPY

Assessment session two (90 mins)

In the second assessment session we will continue to review your suitability for intensive therapy for PTSD. We will continue to understand the problem and your goals for therapy identifying barriers that might prevent you from benefiting from the therapy identifying any concerns or worries or fears about the therapy. We will also discuss practical arrangements, and availability.

Intensive therapy special request (ITSR)

Some people need a bit more flexibility or have special requests for their intensive therapy. This could be a wish to see me face to face here in Hampshire or locally to you, or therapy days that fall across a weekend. I am happy to discuss and accommodate special requests ahead of booking.

What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is a unique, powerful therapy that helps people recover from problems triggered by traumatic events in their lives. It stops difficult memories causing so much distress by helping the brain to reprocess them properly. EMDR is best known for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and it can also help with a range of mental health conditions in people of all ages (https://emdrassociation.org.uk/).

What is CBT?

CBT is based on the concept that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are interconnected, and that negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. CBT aims to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts.You're shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel. Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/).

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events. Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt. They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult. These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person's day-to-day life (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/)

Professional Bodies: BABCP, EMDR UK and Ireland, British Psychological Society (BPS)

Face to face sessions are located in Andover or a place of your convenience.

Online sessions via Zoom

Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6

Andover, Hampshire, SP11

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

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

I am happy to provide coaching to anyone who wishes to use Zoom for our sessions. As an assessor of ADHD, I make all of my sessions as accessable and as neuroaffirmative as possible.

Online platforms

Google Meet
Skype
Whatsapp
Zoom

Social