Sarah McWhirter
About me
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.
Training, qualifications & experience
BSc [Hons] in Reflective Therapeutic Practice [First], Metanoia Institute, London
Accredited Diploma in Integrative Counselling, University of Southampton,
Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling, University of Southampton,
Diploma in Integrative Supervision, The Minster Centre, London
Post Graduate Diploma : Professional Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Supervision), University of Middlesex in collaboration with the Minster Centre, London
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills,
Transactional Analysis 101 Certificate,
Course in Working with Eating Disorders
Certificate in Couples Counselling
Developing Skills in Couple Work, International Summer School, Tavistock Institute
CBT 4th Level, Assessment of Competency covering 4 levels of CBT skills,
CBT 3rd Level, working with Fractured Relationships,
CBT 2nd Level, working with issues around Food, Loss and Trauma,
CBT Core Skills,
I have been involved for a number of years with a voluntary counselling agency in Winchester offering counselling across a range of areas such as bereavement, loss, difficulties with relationships, divorce, depression, anxiety & mental health issues. I have also worked within a large University Counselling Service offering shorter-term counselling to students and members of staff.
BA [Hons] French & Politics, University of Reading, fluent French speaker.
Member organisations
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
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
Younger adults suffering a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem.
Couples with difficulties in communication and strains in their relationship
French speaking clients
Therapies offered
Fees
Additional information
I offer one stand-alone, 50 minute no-obligation Initial Consultation at a cost of £60.00. In this way you will be able to find out if you feel comfortable working with me while also ensuring that my approach and experience match your particular needs.
Individuals: each subsequent 50 minute Consultation : £60.00
Couples: each subsequent 50 minute Consultation : £75.00
Cancellation fee: £55 with less that 24 hours notice before Consultation.
I adhere closely to the terms of the BACP Ethical Framework at all times.
Availability
Day-time appointments and some evening appointments.
Further information
My counselling rooms are situated 2 miles South of Alresford. Free parking is always available. Disabled access can be provided.
I will always try to contact you within 24 hours of your e-mail or phone call.
For further directions please contact me via e-mail or by telephone using the contact details as given above.
I hold an enhanced DBS certificate.