Sarah Kirrane

I would like to begin by extending to you, a very warm welcome. If you are seeking counselling, I imagine that you are going through something difficult, and from personal experience, I know how daunting it can be to find the right counsellor. 

I am an integrative counsellor, which means that I am trained and experienced in several therapeutic modalities. I work mostly in a person-centred way but also draw from the Psychodynamic and CBT concepts if I think they will be helpful for you. I will also listen to your preferences, and we will always go at a pace that is comfortable for you. 

As important as knowledge of these concepts are, I believe that the therapeutic relationship is fundamental to the counselling process and is the most important factor which influences how effective therapy is. As my client, your welfare is my priority, and I will listen to you without judging you or forcing my opinions and advice onto you. I cannot promise to ‘fix’ things for you. I will work to understand you and I may from time to time offer suggestions or signpost you to additional sources of information where appropriate. 

I am passionate about supporting people as they try to come to terms with a loss they are facing and have worked with many people grieving following the death of a loved one, loss of health, the end of a relationship and more. I am particularly passionate about supporting people who have received challenging health diagnoses, with a focus on autoimmune diseases. 

Non-death Loss

Being able to identify and name life experiences as losses worthy of grief can be an important part of healing. Yet often, we tend to identify death as being the only life event worthy of grief. But so many other less tangible types of loss deserve to and need to also be acknowledged and mourned. These could be things like loss of confidence, loss of sense of self following having a baby or ill-health. It could be that you have moved to a new area and have lost your sense of belonging or that you struggle to trust others. Whatever it is, you may be experiencing feelings of intense sorrow, longing or deep distress and this is grief. 

In today's fast-paced world, our experiences of loss are quickly pushed aside as we are forced to 'get on with it'. Engaging in counselling can provide you with a sense of connection and support, helping you work through these challenges. As your counsellor, I will provide understanding and support as you navigate the complex emotions and uncertainties that accompany grief.

Bereavement Counselling

As a loss and grief counsellor, I recognise the profound impact that the death of a loved one can have on a person. Grieving is a unique, personal journey with no predefined 'normal' response or fixed timescale, despite societal expectations. 

Sadly, even though death is such a huge part of life, society continues to impose its expectations and judgements on people by telling them how long their grief should last, by making comparisons or by completely avoiding the subject. Society does not mean to be harmful; it just does not like to talk or think about death and dying. 

Bereavement counselling gives you the time you need to talk about the person who has died and how their death is affecting you. I want to offer you a place to come where you can be as messy as your grief is without having to hear about how strong you are or how well you are coping. It can be somewhere for you let go, to be angry, cry, laugh, remember them in your own way and to acknowledge how hard things are without having to protect others from your feelings. 

I currently work in partnership with Victim support homicide and support people who have been bereaved by murder and manslaughter. 

Initial call: 20 minutes - Free of charge. 

Consultation: 90 minutes  - £85.00.

Follow up sessions: 60 minutes - £70.00.