Sarah Handley

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her/she/hers
MSc
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV8

About me

Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you are used to carrying everything on your own or putting other people’s needs before your own. Many of the clients I work with are used to putting everyone else first. They arrive feeling emotionally exhausted, caught in cycles of overthinking, struggling to set boundaries, or wondering why they keep repeating the same painful patterns in relationships.

I also work with people who find themselves turning to food for comfort, soothing, distraction or emotional regulation. Often these patterns make sense when we begin exploring the feelings, experiences and unmet needs underneath them.

I offer a warm, relational and collaborative space where you do not need to have the “right” words or arrive with everything figured out. My approach is primarily person-centred and integrative, meaning therapy is shaped around you as an individual rather than following a rigid formula or one-size-fits-all approach.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, low self-worth, people-pleasing patterns, emotional overwhelm, shame, burnout, grief, relationship difficulties, and emotional or binge eating patterns. I am particularly interested in how earlier experiences and relationships can shape the way we relate to ourselves and others in the present.

Clients often describe me as warm, grounded and easy to talk to. I aim to create a space that feels human, supportive and non-judgemental, where you can explore your thoughts and emotions openly and at your own pace. 

Therapy with me is conversational and collaborative. You won't be expected to lie on a couch, be analysed, or have all the answers. We work together to understand your experiences and move towards meaningful change.

Alongside person-centred values, I draw from a range of approaches where helpful, including attachment-based ideas, psychodynamic thinking, compassion-focused approaches, and ACT-informed values work.

I offer online therapy across the UK.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am a qualified integrative psychotherapist with a Master’s degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy.

My core training is grounded in the person-centred approach, while also drawing from wider integrative models to support clients in a way that feels tailored to their individual needs.

My training and ongoing professional development include work informed by:

  • Humanistic and person-centred approaches
  • Psychodynamic theory
  • Attachment theory
  • Compassion-focused approaches
  • ACT-informed practice
  • Relational therapy

I also hold:

  • Level 3 Counselling Skills
  • Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems

Alongside formal training, I engage in regular supervision and continuing professional development to support safe, ethical and reflective practice.

I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties including anxiety, self-esteem difficulties, shame, relationship issues, burnout, grief, emotional overwhelm, and emotional or binge eating patterns.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & 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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Photos & videos

Fees

£40.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Individual therapy sessions are £40 per 50-minute session.

I offer therapy online across the UK.

A free 15-minute introductory phone call is available prior to booking for anyone who would like to ask questions or explore whether therapy with me feels like the right fit.

Further information

I understand that reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, and many clients worry about what to expect from the process. There is no pressure to share everything immediately or have a clear explanation for how you are feeling before starting therapy.

Before booking a full session, I offer a free 15-minute introductory phone call. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what has brought you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and are available online across the UK.

I currently offer weekday appointments, including some evening availability depending on current capacity.

Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV8

Type of session

Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

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

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Zoom

Social

Sarah Handley
Sarah Handley