About me
Hi, my name is Sarah. I am an experienced counsellor who specialises in working with young people aged 11 to 25. I also work with adults who may be experiencing challenges or difficulties in their lives.
Most of us go through periods where life feels overwhelming, leaving us feeling anxious, stressed or unsure of how to move forward. You may be struggling with addiction, substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or other difficulties that feel hard to manage alone. I work with you to better understand your experiences and support you in finding a positive way forward.
Do you find yourself saying “I’m fine” or “I'm good, thank you” when somebody asks how you are but, in truth, you are struggling? Do you feel the need to put on a mask around others because you are worried about them seeing how you really feel. Maybe you find yourself pushing difficult emotions down or try to dissociate from them altogether.
People's lives have become increasingly busy and overwhelming and sometimes, we will feel that we don’t want to burden others with our own struggles. We tell ourselves that they already have enough going on in their own lives and as a result, we sometimes try to deal with things ourselves or, possibly turn towards unhealthy ways of coping.
How can counselling help you
Counselling is about you and it gives you an opportunity to be truly listened to and heard. It offers you a safe, non-judgemental space where you can explore the challenges you may be struggling with and help you to make sense of them.
If you are a young person who is feeling anxious or low, or if young people in your care are causing you concern, please remember that you are not alone. I understand that life presents many challenges, especially during the formative years.
You could be dealing with complex emotions, struggling to cope with the expectations put upon you either at home, school, college or university, or have difficulties with friendships or relationships. As a young people counsellor, I can offer a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space where you can explore these issues.
My practice is neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and inclusive.
I warmly welcome and affirm neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ clients, and I am fully committed to creating a safe space where all identities and experiences are respected and valued.
How I work
As an integrative therapist, I draw from a range of different modalities, tailoring my approach to suit you.
I understand that it can sometimes feel difficult to put your feelings and emotions into words, so if you are comfortable with doing so, I may introduce various creative tools and techniques such as drawing, therapy cards, games, worksheets etc. to help you express yourself, build understanding and explore alternative perspectives. This can be particularly useful with young people, neurodiverse clients, and those who struggle to articulate themselves verbally.
Building a trusting relationship is fundamental in counselling and it is very important for you to find the right person to work with. For this reason, I offer a free (no obligation) phone or video call which will give us the opportunity to learn more about each other and ask any questions we may have.
Training, qualifications & experience
As well as working with young people and adults in my private practice, I also work as a College Counsellor supporting young people and adults aged 16+ navigate their way through their educational and personal journeys.
I have previously worked as a Youth Counsellor at Youthline Counselling Services where I assisted and supported young people to feel appreciated, understood, and empowered to navigate life's intricacies. I helped them to work through their feelings and emotions, fostering resilience and embracing positive changes.
I also previously volunteered as a Youth Counsellor at 1-2-1 Youth Counselling where I helped distressed and vulnerable young people aged 11 to 17 share their worries and concerns while obtaining non-judgmental and impartial support.
In addition to these previous roles, I have worked as a volunteer Counsellor at Basingstoke College of Technology and as an addiction therapist at an Addiction Rehabilitation Centre, where I provided a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where individuals could focus on their recovery and reclaim their lives.
Qualifications
- CPCAB - Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- CPCAB - Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
- CPCAB - Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- CPCAB - Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Young People
Professional Standards
I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychology (BACP), meaning I adhere to their ethical frameworks and professional guidelines. I have enhanced DBS clearance which permits me to work with children, young adults or vulnerable people.
Additional Standards
- Online and Telephone Counselling Certified Counsellor
- Safeguarding and Prevent Training
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Committed to Continued Professional Development (CPD)
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer concessions to trainee counsellors, university students and people who are currently on a low income.
Sessions
Counselling sessions will last 50 minutes in duration and will ideally take place on the same day and at the same time each week. The number of sessions needed will depend on your or your young person's needs and expectations. We can discuss this at your consultation.
I offer both short-term and open-ended counselling and usually work face-to-face in my counselling room in Crookham Village. However, if you would prefer to work online or over the phone, I am happy to accommodate this.
When I work
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