Counselling
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
- Anaïs Nin
WHY WOULD I CHOOSE TO TALK TO A COUNSELLOR?
Many difficulties can be addressed by talking things through with family, friends or colleagues, but sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone who is not involved and who doesn’t know you. Even in the most supportive relationships, it’s often difficult to say how you really feel. Perhaps you fear that you won’t be understood or that you might worry or upset the other person. Seeking counselling is about making a positive choice to address your difficulties, when talking to those around you does not feel right. Whether or not you feel comfortable talking to me is a very personal decision and our first meeting will be an opportunity to see if we can work together.
WHAT IS COUNSELLING?
When we are worried or upset, thoughts and feelings can whirl around without seeming to make much sense. You will have the space and time to talk through whatever is concerning or troubling you, without being judged or told what to do, because counselling is not the same as giving advice. Talking it through can help you to gain an understanding of your situation and discover insights and qualities of which you were previously unaware. In turn, this can lead to seeing things differently, and a renewed confidence for dealing with them better.
I WON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. . .
Many people are concerned about this before the first session. What you choose to discuss is always up to you. It’s often the case that people feel so confused, that they don’t know where to begin. It is part of my role to help you towards a better understanding of how you think and feel, and to work at a pace that suits you. There is no rush. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong way to get started.
THE KINDS OF ISSUES PEOPLE BRING TO COUNSELLING
Issues raised are as diverse as people themselves. Some concerns I can help with include:
Anger, Anxiety, Bereavement, Depression, Family issues, Gender, Grief, Guilt, Identity, Loss, Redundancy, Relationships, Retirement, Sexuality, Spirituality, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Work.
As well as working with adults, I have spent considerable time working one to one with young people aged between 16 and 25 on issues such as confidence, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. Such issues can be as distressing to parents as to young people themselves, when you don't know how to help. If you would like to talk things through, please feel free to email me. I also recommend the Young Minds website.
My job is to help you voice the issues and explore the questions in a genuine, caring and supportive environment, without judgement. I don’t have the answers, but in exploring things together, we might find that you do.
INFORMATION ABOUT SARAH
I am a person-centred counsellor working one to one with adults and young people aged 16 and over. I offer sessions in Sheriff Hutton, which is 10 miles north of York. I am registered with and hold senior accreditation status with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work within their ethical framework. BACP accreditation is awarded only following completion of a recognised counselling training and the accumulation of considerable practical experience. I have been counselling for twenty years.
For many years I have run counselling services, serving both adults and young people who have been struggling with a wide variety of difficulties both within themselves and in their relationships with others. Over this time, I have observed that people coming to counselling suffer not only distressing thoughts and feelings, but also frequently experience significant disturbance in their bodies. I have seen people who, alongside their psychological distress, endure sleep disruption, back ache or headache, digestive disorders, and the physical feelings of panic. This is why I trained as a yoga teacher.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
I do not charge for our first meeting. This gives us both an opportunity to see if we will work well together.
My fee for ongoing counselling is £45 per hour, payable by cash, cheque or BACS at each session. I do not charge if you give 24 hours prior notice of cancellation.
I will ensure that you are informed in good time if I cannot keep our appointment, and of course under such circumstances, there would be no charge.
The optimum number of sessions varies from person to person depending on the issues they are facing and goals they wish to achieve.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
It is as simple as picking up the telephone, leaving your name and number and a time when it will be convenient for me to call you back. Alternatively, you can email me. We will arrange an initial, one hour appointment where we can meet to discuss what has brought you along, and also what you are hoping for from the counselling. At that stage we will also talk about confidentiality, how many sessions you might need, and cover any questions you might have about the process.
