Sarah Clark
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
Therapy can be a daunting prospect, especially if it's a new venture for you, and especially if you're struggling, overwhelmed or distressed. I've been practicing as a therapist for over 10 years, but I never forget how hard it can be to reach out and talk to someone new. So please be assured that you'll find a kind and friendly welcome here and a respectful, non-judgemental space, and that I'll try to make it as easy as possible for you to talk about whatever is troubling you.
Our first 30 minute meeting is free and without obligation - an opportunity for you to meet me, ask any questions, and generally see whether I feel like the right person for you, and for me to get a sense of what you're looking for. This first appointment can usually be arranged within a few days.
I work from a quiet, private consulting room in my home in the village of Wivenhoe, near Colchester, Essex. There is easy on-street parking nearby and Wivenhoe railway station is a 5 minute walk away. I also offer online sessions. Flexible daytime and evening appointments are available.
I work with individuals and couples, and I use a variety of approaches (details on my website), but always bring care and sensitivity, lively curiosity, and open heartedness to our sessions. Some people imagine that therapists 'just listen' and don't say much - whilst I will listen very carefully to you, I will also talk and am very actively engaged in sessions and working with you.
Over the years I have worked with people of all ages and from all walks of life, and with a wide range of issues, including depression, anxiety and panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, addictions, eating distress, relationship issues, family issues, loss of meaning in life, work issues, worries around ageing and illness, bereavement, and I have extensive experience of working with trauma, sexual abuse and PTSD.
I provide both counselling/psychotherapy and Minded Yoga Therapy for mental health, but I can integrate many of the tools of yoga therapy (eg. mindfulness and breathing techniques) into talking therapy, if you're interested in that.
I look forward to hearing from you and will be glad to help in any way I can.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have been practicing as a therapist for over 10 years and am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I have previously worked as a therapist at a charity which supports women who have experienced sexual abuse or domestic violence. I currently work in private practice and see individuals and couples on a short or long term basis.
My training and qualifications are as follows:
- Internal Family Systems Therapy Levels 1, 2 and 3 (2018-2020)– a highly compassionate, accepting and transformative approach which works with the many different ‘parts’ each of us has within us to create greater emotional balance and promote healing and personal growth.
- Emotionally Focussed Couples Therapy (2018) - a structured approach to couples therapy which research has shown to move 75-90% of couples from relationship distress to recovery.
- Minded Yoga Therapy (2014-2016) - specialising in the use of yoga and mindfulness for mental health
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (2011-2012) - a body-based method that is particularly useful for working with trauma.
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling (2006-2010) - including person-centred and psychodynamic approaches
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
In addition to Counselling/Psychotherapy I am also a trained Minded Yoga Therapist. I specialise in using yoga and mindfulness for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD, but I also work with people with physical difficulties and with the mental health implications of physical issues such as chronic pain or the distress of serious illness. Please see my website for details, or contact me to discuss your concerns and how I may be able to help.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial in-person or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My fees are usually £65 per hour for individuals and £90 per 1 hour or £130 per 1 hour 30 mins for couples. However, I can sometimes offer reduced rates on the basis of need: if the usual fee is not affordable for you, please don't be put off - this is something we can discuss in our initial free consultation.
Reduced fees (£50) are available to students on counselling, psychotherapy or psychology training.
When I work
Daytime and evening appointments are available. Initial free consultations can usually be arranged within a few days.
