Sarah Paul
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Welcome. No matter where life has taken you or brought you from, hard times may bring you to ask for connection, understanding and support to grow. I provide a space where I listen with warmth and compassion to help you to explore your concerns, understand how these have come about and how you might resolve them. I pay attention to repeating patterns in your life and how these patterns recur, help you find compassion and care for yourself and others and challenge and support you when things seem stuck.
Many people come to therapy feeling afraid of being 'changed' by their therapist; however my clients usually leave with a sense of being brought back to themselves, feeling confident, peaceful and content.
I have nearly 20 years' experience of working with a variety of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, childhood trauma or abuse, work or family related stress, eating disorders, relationship and intimacy difficulties and more severe and enduring mental health problems. I have a particular interest in neurodivergence and also in eating difficulties. I offer therapy for children, teenagers, men, women and couples of all ages and at all stages in life.
Choosing a therapist is an important decision that deserves to be taken seriously. Please call or email for an initial meeting so we can think about how I can help you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified, UKCP registered Gestalt psychotherapist, with an MSc in Gestalt Psychotherapy from Metanoia Institute/Middlesex University, in practice since 2007. I also spent ten years as a Primary Tutor in the Gestalt and Humanistic departments at Metanoia Institute.
I am a member of Metanoia Institute and abide by their code of ethics.
I am also an OCR accredited mediator and am a registered member of the RSPH, with a Level Four certificate in Nutrition.
I have a Certificate in Couples Counselling, so offer relationship therapy to both same and opposite sex couples.
I also hold a Diploma in Supervision (2015) from The Gestalt Centre, London and have supervised students and qualified therapists in many contexts, including schools, voluntary organisations and privately. I am on the list of approved supervisors at Metanoia Institute for both Gestalt and Humanistic psychotherapy.
Prior to my work as a therapist, I have 10 years' experience working to support individuals with severe mental health difficulties, including severe depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, other psychosis and personality disorders, to manage their housing, money and social difficulties. I also have experience working with individuals who struggle with substance misuse, from cannabis and alcohol through to crack and heroin. Additionally I have worked for several years with women who are living with or have recently escaped from domestic abuse.
I have personal experience with neurodivergence as a human, family member and parent and welcome those struggling with life as a result of ADHD, AuDHD or autism.
I have considerable experience working with adolescents, both therapeutically in schools and in various other contexts, including as an outdoor instructor working to improve self-esteem through the medium of outdoor activities such as climbing and kayaking.
I am currently formally upgrading my training by gaining a specialist qualification from Terapia institute in working therapeutically with children and adolescents and am particularly welcoming these clients at this time. I have completed regular safeguarding training and hold a DBS certificate, as well as ICO registration.
My earlier background is in using music and outdoor activities for the benefit of emotional wellbeing.
Member organisations
school 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.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
When I work
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Currently I have spaces for teenage clients only, supervisees or those seeking therapy group work for disordered eating issues.
