LOCATION: Portland Road, Church Road, Hove and Shoreham and online
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday daytimes and Friday pm & evenings
PRICE: £55 per session
SPECIALISMS:
Racial identity & cultural issues
Bereavement & grief
Gender & sexuality
Social anxiety
Historical abuse
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma
Self-esteem & anxiety
Depression
Burnout & stress

Training

Sara is a qualified Integrative Humanistic counsellor, with a focus on the Person-Centred Approach. This means in sessions, the client leads (as you know yourself better than anyone) and the relationship between the client and counsellor is vital to the work. Sara also uses other techniques in sessions depending on the needs of the client.

Sara studied Psychology at university and has worked in different mental health settings, including a medium-secure forensic unit and a group treatment service for people with personality disorders. Sara has experience working in different counselling practices including an LGBTQ+ service supporting trans clients during their transition, a hospice working with loved ones of patients with terminal illnesses and a local low-cost counselling service.

In addition to specialist services, Sara also works with more common mental health issues like anxiety, depression and grief.

Approach

During your first session, Sara will invite you to share a bit about yourself and what brings you to counselling, as well as give you the opportunity to ask any questions also. Sara will ask what you want to work on and relevant information from your history and current situation that will help inform your work together, however, as would be the case in all your sessions, you would only have to share what you are comfortable with. Whilst some clients may have a focus for their sessions, others may not have a specific goal and it is fine to explore whatever feels important each session.

As an Integrative Humanistic counsellor, Sara values the importance of a safe, trusting working alliance with the client to facilitate self-awareness and meaningful change. Sara believes you are the expert of your own experience so sessions are client-led, but she will support you to identify what is holding you back and overcome the barriers. She will make observations of patterns and ask questions to explore relevant themes. Sara endeavours to work in a warm, non-judgmental way, but will challenge unhealthy thoughts or patterns that hinder healing and acceptance of yourself.

Racial identity and cultural issues

Race, culture and ethnicity impacts how we experience the world, what beliefs we hold and perhaps even how our personality forms. As a person of mixed heritage herself, Sara understands how important racial identity can be to a person's sense of self. Sara has worked with clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, who questioned where they belong or felt misunderstood by others.

People from ethnic minorities may feel their experiences won't be understood in counselling, especially if you have also faced prejudice and discrimination, but your wellbeing matters no matter your background. By working in a culturally-informed way, you can be reassured you won't be judged for sharing your lived experience.

If you wish to explore your racial or cultural identity, Sara will support you to explore the issues you bring, help you strengthen your self-awareness and accept yourself for who you are.

Bereavement and grief

Sara has received training in bereavement counselling and volunteered at St Barnabas House Hospice, working with friends and families of people with terminal illnesses. Sara has experience supporting clients whilst they are grieving, and clients whose loved ones are at the end of their life, whilst clients anticipate their passing. Sara has also worked with people from different faiths and cultures, where beliefs around death and grief vary.

Losing someone you love is often incredibly painful and isolating, and it can feel impossible to continue without them. Depending on your relationship with the departed and the manner in which they passed, you may experience a multitude of different and perhaps conflicting emotions. Bereavement counselling gives you space to process these emotions and your relationship with your loved one, whilst helping you move forward.

Grief is unique for everyone – some may find different grief models help them make sense of their loss, others may have specific experiences to work through, and others may want to find ways to honour their loved one in their own lives. Sara will work through your loss with you however best fits your needs.

Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality can form core parts of our identity, which can be particularly difficult if we don't fit society's traditional heteronormative and cisgender ideal. Whether you are beginning to question these parts of yourself or you already know but struggle with other issues relating to your gender and sexuality, counselling can be an important place to explore these feelings and experiences.

Sara has much experience of counselling LGBTQ+ clients. A common theme is feeling a lack of belonging or not fitting in. Facing mistreatment from others who aren't accepting can often result in increased anxiety, low self-esteem and sometimes suicidal thoughts.

If you find yourself wanting to explore this part of your identity without judgement, or if you just wish for it to be understood as a part of you and want to discuss other topics in counselling, Sara offers a safe space for you to share and work through your experiences.

Other information

Sara has worked with clients of different ethnicities, religions, ages and sexualities. She understands the importance of recognising diversity and the impact these differences may have on our experience of the world.

Outside of counselling Sara's interests include spending time outdoors, either gardening or being in nature, which she finds therapeutic and grounding.

Sara is fully insured and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), meaning she is professionally qualified and adheres to the BACP'S code of conduct.