Sarah Thompson

Counsellor & CBT therapist

Please note - I only work with people aged 10 to 25 years old

Hello, I'm Sarah and I am an integrative Counsellor offering Face to face sessions at Sheffield Wellness Centre. I work with Children and Young People aged 10-18 years and young Adults up to 25 years. I help my clients to overcome various challenges and difficulties that are impacting on physical, emotional and mental well-being.

It may be that you struggling with problems such as, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma, stress related issues or difficulties relating to Covid-19? Or that you are experiencing relationship difficulties, depression, panic attacks, experienced a bereavement, loss or maybe you are unsure of your identity and where you belong in life?

These challenges may feel debilitating and restricting, where your life is controlled daily by these difficulties. The smallest of things in your life may have suddenly become one of your biggest tasks and challenges. Together we can look at positive ways forward to help you manage this, looking at triggers, unhelpful patterns, coping mechanisms and practical ways to take control of your life.

I work creatively which may feel easier than talking. Sometimes expressing words can be difficult and this may stop people from seeking help. I use visual and creative ways to help verbalise any difficult and painful unspoken words. I like to use CBT as a way of changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts.

Together we can find ways to help you move forward, building resilience and exploring tools to overcome obstacles. Making positive changes and gaining new perspectives will enable you to reach your goals, heal and live the life you deserve.

Children and Young People (age 10-18 years)

Children and Young People's counselling is for any young person who is struggling with how they feel. Counselling can help children and young people find their way through whatever is troubling them and give them the tools, confidence and resilience to tackle future obstacles, I can help with bullying issues, grief, eating disorders, nightmares. And many other issues young people are dealing with, including life events and the effects these are having on their mental wellbeing.

Adult Counselling (18-25 years)

You may be considering seeing a therapist to help you in in making a change to your thoughts, feelings or beliefs. Maybe someone told you that counselling worked for them and you wondered if it could work for you (it could!) Maybe you’re here because you have tried lots of other ways of changing but they didn’t quite work out for you and you feel this is the only option left.

As a therapist, I believe that warmth, trust, safety and genuineness are essential in the counselling relationship. I strive to encourage and empower clients to establish their goals. Valuing difference and individuality I may draw from a number of approaches to best fit the person or the presenting issue. I believe counselling is collaborative and therefore encourage and value feedback and client goals to guide the pace and direction of the work.

I believe in an individual’s potential and drive for positive change and in their own vast resources. I support clients to feel empowered and begin to direct the change they seek.

Changes however can sometimes occur without choice -events and life may bring times of loss, distress, self-doubt, a feeling of 'being alone' or simply 'questioning.' Counselling can offer a space to be heard, to explore without judgement or to process events or feelings. Though it can feel a big step and sometimes challenging, it may also help to enhance self-awareness, understanding and self-compassion and begin to create the possibility for different choices, a sense of direction or simply self-acceptance.

My approach is very much an integrative approach using person centred but with bits of other therapies included, like CBT, solution focused, but always putting you, the client first.

My approach is to help you to get a better alternative clear in your mind, familiar and expected. With this better alternative in mind, you can begin to see more clearly what it is that you can do to be more how you would rather be and to move past the limiting attitudes and behaviours of the past.

What do I need to get started? Bring an open mind to sessions and be open to communicating.

Whatever the reasons for you wanting to work with me I would be only too happy to have a chat with you about your circumstances and your goals for the future

Specialises in: Integrative Counselling, Person Centred, CBT, Play Therapy trauma, abuse, Self Harm, Family issues, Grief, heath issues, bullying and many more.