Sarah-Jane Johnson
About me
HASLEMERE, GODALMING, GUILDFORD AND FARNHAM (AND VILLAGES) BASED COUNSELLOR
** Introductory Offer - Taster/Assessment Session lasting up to 40 minutes for £20* for YOU to decide if YOU want to work with me. Please mention Counselling Directory if YOU contact me by phone or mobile **
Looking for a therapist takes courage. It is brave because it means you have taken the decision to open something up that could be potentially painful and difficult, but you feel it is essential for your well-being to work through in a safe and professional setting. You may be feeling vulnerable and scared, unsafe even. A therapist is not here to judge you or tell you what to do. We listen, we hear and we build a relationship and work together for you to find your own answers.
All therapists will have their own flaws, vulnerabilities and insecurities. We will have come to the profession through our own life experience and we have undergone our own therapy pre-qualification to enable us to be effective in our work. Yes, we have all been clients too and may still be so we know that apprehension, that initial fear of the therapist and the first therapy session. What is essential for therapy to work is a willingness to engage and work with the right therapist, someone you feel really “gets you” and with whom you feel safe. Therapy can bring you empowerment and life changing results. It is sometimes a difficult path to travel, but it is a journey you will never regret undertaking.
Who am I and what can I offer you? I am Sarah-Jane and I bring an eclectic mix of theories, modalities and skills to my therapeutic work, my main approaches being person-centred, integrative, Jungian and Solution Focused. Each person is unique, however, and I tailor my approach according to your individual needs. One size does not fit all!
I also understand that some of us may need therapy but worry about the cost. I am mindful that when I was training as a single parent on a very limited income, I was supported and enabled to continue my studies by concessions from my therapist, supervisor and college and I am a believer in paying it forward. To this end, I offer taster sessions and concessions dependent on individual circumstances as therapy should be available for anyone who needs it. Let’s talk and see if we can work together.
My role as a therapist is my passion and my life work. I am a registered member of the BACP and adhere to their Ethical Framework at all times. I also undertake regular supervision to monitor and enable me to be continually effective in my client work. I hope to meet you soon.
I offer a safe place to meet and gently explore your issues in privacy, comfort and confidentiality at my therapy room in Haslemere, therapy rooms at The Eaves Counselling and Psychological Services in Godalming, Guildford and Farnham to whom I am affiliated; therapy walks in the beautiful Surrey countryside or in your own home (usually within a 20 mile radius of Haslemere). My Haslemere, Guildford and Godalming venues offer free parking and easy access to bus routes and close proximity to mainline stations. If you are unable to e-mail me, but would like to make an initial enquiry before speaking, please text this to me and I will respond. You may also contact me via my Facebook page at Guiding Lights Counselling and Empowerment.
What do my clients say about me?
"Sarah-Jane is more than a counsellor, a god send even ..." A (32)
“It was so good seeing you today. It reminded me of all I have overcome and achieved. I couldn’t have done it without you ..” S (18)
“I have learned so much about myself from our work together ... I was in a dark place and now I can see the light. I am ready to move forward and embrace all life has to offer..” D (45)
“Thank you for helping develop my self-confidence and value myself again. If I hadn’t gotten your help, I would probably be sitting in my room day after day feeling sorry for myself. You have opened my eyes in so many ways ..” C (14)
*The taster/assessment session offers us the opportunity to meet and decide if we want to work together and you are under no obligation to continue if you decide that what I offer is not right for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I qualified at Guildford College in the Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP Accredited) in 2007. I worked as a school counsellor with secondary school pupils aged 11-16 for 10 years from 2005 - 2015. Issues covered would include bereavement, bullying, low self-esteem, self-harm, rape, PTSD, peer and family relationship issues and many positive outcomes were achieved.
I have also worked in private practice since 2012 with adult clients, couples and young people on a variety of issues to include low self-esteem, sex addiction, anxiety, depression, sexual (to include rape) emotional and financial abuse, PTSD and relationship issues. I tailor the approach I use to fit individual clients' needs.
In October 2014, I was chosen by Psychologies Magazine to be sponsored as an Empowerment Champion and I introduce Packtypes self-awareness cards to interested clients to enable them to equip, strengthen and empower themselves.
Since May 2015 I have been working as a volunteer counsellor at RASASC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre) in Guildford. At RASASC we offer support to those who have been raped and/or sexually abused and also give presentations to colleges, universities and other organisations to generate awareness of these issues.
In April 2016, I became affiliated to The Eaves Counselling and Psychological Services based in Godalming, Guildford and Farnham and am building my practice there in a professional, supportive and collaborative environment. From September 2016, I have been working with the Eaves to provide counselling to NHS patients through the IAPT service.
For 2 years, I ran a drop in counselling service at Guildford Action for Families giving support to young people and families in need. In addition to this and as a slight diversity to my counselling role, I worked with young people for 18 months as a youth leader which was hugely rewarding.
I undertake CPD and supervision on a regular basis and am a registered member of BACP (MBACP Reg) and am bound by and work within the BACP Ethical Framework at all times. I regularly read and update myself on procedures and techniques. I am currently working towards accreditation with the BACP. Recent CPD workshops I have attended are:
Advanced Integrative Therapy with Dr Asha Clinton
Emotional Freedom Techniques & Working with Trauma with Janice Scott MSc
Working with Addiction and Internet Porn Addiction with Stephan Dais
Working with Trauma and its complexities with Ruthie Smith
When Sexual Abuse never ends with Dr Adah Sachs PhD
An Introduction to Working with Psychosexual Issues with Cabby Laffy
Working with Erotic Transference with Cabby Laffy
Solution Focussed Brief Interventions with Martyn Lloyd and John Wheeler
Safeguarding with Paul Noke (2016)
Working with Substance Misuse with Sandra Waters
Into the Light Sexual Abuse Recovery "Supporting Others and Growing Ourselves" with Sadie Cissell
Working with Ritual Abuse with Celia Harrisson
Mindfulness Seminar with Laurence Milburn
Personality Adaptations with Steve Richards
Working with the body with DID clients with Celia Harrisson
Working with Creative Materials with Wendy Coope and Maria White
Strokes and Games in Transactional Analysis with Carmen Russo and Andy Spencer
Mindfulness for Anxiety and Depression with Victoria Karp
Stress with Carmen von Haenisch
Safeguarding with Paul Noke (2018)
Working with Client Dysregulation by Dr Susan Stevens
Working with Domestic Abuse by Ruth Godfrey
Working with Dissociative Identity Disorder with Kate Forbes-Pitt
Working with Trauma in the Here and Now with Carmen Russo and Andy Spencer
Eating Disorders and Sexual Abuse with Andy Spencer
Gender Diversity training
Commitment and Attachment therapy workshop with Dr John O'Connor
All that I learn and gain from CPD I use to enhance and inform my client work. I also offer support and empowerment to survivors of online dating scams following research into the psychological cause, effect and impact.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Individually tailored therapy based in Haslemere, Godalming or Guildford with one to one sessions in a private setting, therapy walks in the beautiful Surrey countryside, home visits (generally within a 20 mile radius of Haslemere) or telephone counselling. My sessions last 50 minutes unless more time is specifically requested.
Concessions available dependent on individual circumstances. Please don't be afraid to ask.
Therapies offered
Fees
From £20.00 to £60.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£20 per person up to 40 minutes - Taster/Assessment Session (see above)
£50 per session - individual adults
£60 ps - couples (£25 for Taster Session)
£45 ps - young people (under 21); £40 ph - students, OAPs and low income
Other concessions may be available based on individual circumstances - please inform me of your individual needs and we can discuss.
Availability
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Monday 10.00 am - 9 pm; Tuesday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm; Wednesday 10.00 am - 6.00 pm; Thursday 10.00 am - 9.00 pm.
Further information
My specialisms include:-
Abuse
Anxiety/Panic
Self-Harm
Low self-esteem
Self-awareness/development
Bereavement/loss
Bullying
Depression
Family issues
Jungian analysis/dreamwork
Rape/sexual abuse
Work/employment related issues
Relationship Issues/marriage guidance/couples counselling
Empowerment (introducing self-awareness cards and other techniques)
Self-awareness/growth
Supporting survivors of online dating scams
