I offer a professional down-to-earth approach, whilst providing a safe, confidential, compassionate, non-judgemental and supportive environment.
I offer a professional down-to-earth approach, whilst providing a safe, confidential, compassionate, non-judgemental and supportive environment.
I am an UKCP Accredited Relational Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist. I trained at the Scarborough Counselling & Psychotherapy Institute (SCPTI) in Scarborough. I have worked with clients since 2013 in private practice covering the UK, and through a local registered charity supporting residents based in North Yorkshire.
I am accredited in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, offering this alongside standard talking therapy or separately.
Integrative therapy enables different therapeutic approaches/tools to be flexibly tailored to meet your individual needs and goals. Thereby respecting our human uniqueness and that one single approach does not fit all.
Integration is also about holism and pulling together all different aspects of self (e.g. physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, sexual). Through increased awareness, healing and change can occur to become better versions of ourselves:
‘Change occurs when you become what you are, not when you try to become what you are not’ – Arnold Beisser.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by American psychologist, Dr Francine Shapiro, in the 1980s to treat trauma from war, sexual abuse and traffic incidents. It is now an evidenced-based and NICE-approved treatment for PTSD. The human brain is able to adapt and learn information by creating new neural pathways. The brain has the capability to naturally heal and sleep every day assists with this. EMDR replicates the process of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. By stimulating the left and right hemispheres of the brain using various techniques, the brain is distracted from becoming overwhelmed. Consequently, stuck traumatic memories are processed and later recalled without distress. The person remains awake, conscious and in complete control throughout the treatment. EMDR can be delivered using eye movements (following hand, light bar), tactile (tapping, pulsators) or auditory means (beeps on headphones). It can be delivered in-person or online.
The scope of EMDR has widened and it is now used for grief, phobias, pain relief, anxiety and depression.
Drawing on my training in integrative therapy, EMDR, and extensive work experience, I aim to effectively support client’s struggling with various issues impeding their day-to-day functioning.
I am committed to ongoing professional development. I regularly attend training courses, individual and peer supervision, and keep pace with changes/developments in counselling and psychotherapy.
I offer a professional down-to-earth approach, whilst providing a safe, confidential, compassionate, non-judgemental and supportive environment. If you are apprehensive or unsure if counselling is for you, and/or had unhelpful previous experiences of therapy, then I am willing to explore this with you and work at your pace.
I work with survivors of different crimes and life events including assaults, domestic abuse, coercion and control and childhood/adult sexual abuse. I also work with individuals who have been suddenly bereaved through suicide or road traffic incidents.
I have experience of working with individuals with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, and also with neurodiversity e.g. ADHD, autism.
I work with clients referred under Employee Assistance Programmes, GP’s, Independent Domestic Abuse Services, road safety charity ‘Brake’ and other police commissioned services.
I am happy to undertake brief or long-term work.
I work with individuals from age 18 years upwards, and also with couples.
With joint commitment, I offer the flexibility to support you to fit therapy around your busy life schedule. Sessions are available in-person, online, by phone and through a hybrid mix. I am also able to complete home visits if appropriate e.g. individuals who have a progressive illness, are disabled, in a caring role etc.
I have a Police vetting clearance certificate and an Enhanced DBS certificate.
‘Sarah has been a lifesaver for me. With Sarah's help I have been able to come to terms with a lifetime of emotional abuse and the impact that has had on me, and more importantly, gain an understanding of the behaviours I have shown throughout my life, in part as a result of that abuse. Through being a sympathetic and engaged listener, and often challenging when I've needed it, Sarah has helped me to discover positive aspects of me as a person and worked to develop strategies where those aspects control my choices in life. In the time I have worked with Sarah I have moved from a very dark place where I hurt those closest to me and wished harm on myself, to a place where I'm facing a future with hope and a confidence that I can live the life I want and deserve’.
‘Therapy has shifted a huge weight off my shoulders...'
'I feel that my life has been dramatically changed for the better...'
'Approachable and non-judgemental, and this has been invaluable to me'.
'I have discovered lots about myself... I feel like a new person'.
'Sarah was extremely kind, understanding and also flexible when I had to change sessions a few times at short notice. Having EMDR has completely transformed my life. Having used many kinds of treatment and coping skills in the past, I have never experienced such a massive change in my Complex PTSD as I have with EMDR'.
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
