Sarah McWhirter, MBACP Reg. (Accred), BSc (Hons), BA (Hons), PG Dip

About me

Welcome:
Set backs, and unforeseen problems in life such as difficulties with relationships, loss & bereavement, anxiety & depression, lack of direction over career paths, or a general sense of sadness can sometimes occur at times when we least expect it. When problems are left unaddressed and unresolved our sense of well-being, happiness and even our health can be affected, both in the short and longer term.

I am a well-trained, empathic and experienced counsellor/psychotherapist working in private practice in Hampshire. Someone who can enable you to have a greater understanding of the areas in your life that are troubling you, who can help you to come to terms with and overcome those difficulties, and who can enable you to find a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of direction. Working together, I can help you to find a more positive way through a challenging period in your life.

About me:
I practice from a discreet and welcoming studio in a tranquil setting just outside Alresford where I offer a confidential, relaxed and safe space for my client-work. My areas of expertise focus on people who need to find some form of direction and re-orientation in their lives, those experiencing the pain of loss & bereavement, depression, anxiety, difficulties with relationships & marital breakdown, together with the after- effects of separation and divorce and empty nesting. I also work with clients suffering from a range of eating disorders & those suffering from long-term illness. I also offer Couples Counselling.

My practice also includes work with young people & I have considerable experience with younger clients experiencing problems relating to low self-esteem, depression and anxiety-related issues. In addition, I also offer a safe and confidential place for younger clients to talk about difficulties with relationships both within and outside the home.

With many years' previous experience in the commercial sector, I have also worked with clients experiencing problems within the work-place, with their careers, and with people facing difficulties around life-stages such as children, empty nesting and retirement.

How I practice:
I work 'Integratively' & 'Reflectively', which means giving very careful consideration to the therapeutic approach best suited to each client, while involving the client in this process. I place considerable importance on the strength of the relationship between the client and counsellor, as this in itself can be very therapeutic and healing.

I offer short-term counselling, 6-12 sessions, for clients wishing to address and work on a particular goal or difficulty, and mid to longer-term counselling and psychotherapy where a range of deeper, more complex issues can be explored and resolved.

Having also trained extensively in CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I offer CBT where appropriate, finding it particularly successful in helping to achieve specific shorter-term objectives. I also draw on Transactional Analysis, TA, and Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, together with a range of creative tools, which I believe can greatly assist the therapeutic process.

My objective is to enable each client to achieve a sense of release from the problem or range of issues being addressed, while at the same time helping each client to gain a sense of greater personal understanding, with the objective of providing achievable and sustainable well-being in the longer-term.