Sophie Steward
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
I am a registered psychotherapist, EMDR therapist and Dramatherapist who specialises in anxiety, depression and trauma. I work online and in person in the Preston area with day time and evening availability.
If you are reading this page, I imagine it's because you are looking for help. I want to reassure you that it is natural to encounter challenging and difficult times in life; however, when feelings of anxiety, depression or being overwhelmed become persistent, then connecting with a professional for thoughtful conversation can be incredibly helpful.
This process not only promotes a deeper understanding of yourself but also helps you articulate your feelings and gain clarity. Being truly listened to aims to restore your sense of wholeness, energy, and connection. One of the most courageous things you can do is ask for help.
While I address a wide range of concerns, I have a lot of experience with trauma, particularly developmental trauma (Adverse Childhood experiences), Looked after children, Adoption and neurodivergence in children and women.
If you have never had therapy before it can be very daunting to contact someone new for the first time, so well done if you are reaching out. I want to reassure you that I make it a priority to build a compassionate and empathetic therapeutic relationship. It is important that you feel comfortable and safe when exploring your thoughts and feelings.
I tailor my approach to your unique needs, drawing from various therapeutic techniques to ensure the most effective support. Whether you're facing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or other emotional struggles, I offer both individual and group therapy sessions, online or in person.
For a free 20-minute consultation, we can discuss your goals and how I can assist you. If we decide to work together, we'll move forward with scheduling your first session
Fees: £60 - £90 per hour
- £60 - online adults
- £60- face to face adults
- £90 - schools/education
Training, qualifications & experience
I am accredited with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) and work according to their ethical guidelines.
I have a wide range of experience of working with children, young people and adults from a variety of mental health issues. I am most experienced in working with people who have suffered with trauma, particularly developmental trauma. Childhood trauma is often described as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which can arise from broken attachments, maltreatment, family violence and distressing experiences etc. If the trauma is not processed properly, then the impact can be devastating, which can then affect our emotions, behaviours, attitudes, our beliefs, our body, our choices, our relationships, which then develop in a negative way into our adult lives.
Many presentations, such as anxiety or depression could be linked to trauma and therefore it is important to get to the root of the problem and not just treat the symptoms.
My background is in educational settings and supporting a team around the child, particularly looked after and adopted children and their families. This lead onto working with adults privately and in a mental health setting with clients struggling from a variety of mental health issues.
I have been trained, as well as managed a team collectively for over 10 years of behaviour support mentors, to support adults with Autism. Autism just means that "your brain works differently from other people" (NHS, 2024). This sometimes mean that as an individual, you need extra support with understanding yourself and others in your environment. It is not uncommon for someone who has a learning disability to also have other diagnosis or difficulties in their life, such as ADHD, OCD, PTSD, trauma, depression, epilepsy, eating disorders, dyslexia and anxiety etc.
Peter Levine (Trauma specialist, 2008) says "The bad news is that trauma is a fact of life. The good news is that so is RESILIENCE".
- DDP Level 1 (2025)
- EMDR Therapist (EMDR Academy - 2024 )
- Complex Trauma Certificate - Bdt Trauma Training (TRC Bath, 2024)
- Life Story Certificate (2023)
- University of Derby - MA Dramatherapy (2013)
- APT’S Course CBT Depression online
- Counselling Concepts Level 2 - Preston College (2011)
- Suicide Prevention
- Play Back Theatre - Dramatherapy
- Memory Restructuring Intervention (MSI) for Adults with PTSD
- Prevent Training
- Clean Language (David Grove) Positive Psychology
- Dweck’s Growth Mind Set
- Safeguarding Training Level 1 & 2 Adults
- Prevent Training
- Dramatherapy Communi-cube
- Safeguard Training with children and Level 2
- Safeguard Training with children and Level 1
- Safeguard Training with adults
- CBT Essential Skills
- Sensory Processing Occupational Therapy Level 1
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 HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Developmental trauma
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £90.00
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
£50 - adults single session (1 hour) online
£60 - Adults single session (1 hour) face to face
£90 - Schools/ education/ (1 hour) face to face or online
I offer a free 20 minute initial phone appointment as it is important that you feel happy and comfortable to work with me.
When I work
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