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

Welcome:

I am an experienced, well-trained & empathic BACP Accredited Counsellor / Psychotherapist working in Private Practice in Hampshire. Possessing analytical skills, I can help you to have a greater understanding of the areas in your life that are troubling you, assist you in coming to terms with those areas of difficulty, while enabling you to reach a fresh perspective and a new-found sense of peace and orientation.

Set backs, and unexpected problems in life such as difficulties with relationships, loss & bereavement, grief, anxiety & depression, a lack of direction over career path, or an inexplicable sense of low mood or sadness over existential aspects of life or the political climate, can sometimes occur at times when they are least expected. When problems are left unaddressed and unresolved they can reduce our overall sense of well-being, which in turn can affect our health & overall happiness, both in the short and longer term.

Working together, my aim is to enable you to equip yourself with your inner, untapped skills, to find a more peaceful 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, offering a highly confidential, relaxed and safe space for my client-work. My areas of expertise focus on people who need to find some form of direction or 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. I work with clients suffering from a range of eating disorders & those coping with long-term illness or trauma. I also offer Couples Counselling, helping couples to confront and understand their difficulties while setting them on a clear path together or in some cases, separately.

My practice also includes work with young people, I have particular experience with younger clients facing problems relating to low self-esteem, depression and anxiety-related issues.

With many years' previous experience in the sector of marketing and public relations, I also work with clients experiencing problems within the work-place, with their careers, and with clients experiencing challenges around certain potentially problematic Stages in Life such as coping with pregnancy & very young children, the challenges of older children, empty nesting, retirement and bereavement.

How I practice:
I work 'Integratively' & 'Reflectively', which means giving very careful consideration to the therapeutic approach best suited to each client, involving the client in the process. I place value on building a strong, respectful & healthy relationship between the client and therapist, as this in itself can be very therapeutic and healing.

I offer Short-term counselling, 6-12 sessions, for clients wishing to address  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 trained additionally in CBT, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, I offer CBT where appropriate, finding it effective in helping to achieve specific shorter-term objectives. I also draw on Transactional Analysis, TA, Psychodynamic & Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, alongside a range of Creative approaches, 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 issue being addressed, while gaining a sense of greater personal understanding, with the objective of building achievable & sustainable well-being in the longer term.