Sarah Janes

LGBTQ+ Individual and Relationship Counsellor

I currently offer counselling sessions online via Zoom or telephone and have availability for daytime and evening times, whatever suits your best.  My focus is on supporting clients dealing with depression, anxiety, dissociation, trauma, and intimacy or relationship concerns. I am trauma-informed, with a particular focus on working with LGBTQ+ individuals who may face minority stress or other challenges.

If you are considering counselling, I offer an initial 50-minute assessment session to explore your goals and see if we are a good fit. Sessions are tailored to help you better understand yourself, manage thoughts and behaviours, and enhance your emotional well-being. Whether you are looking for short-term support or long-term therapy, we can work collaboratively to meet your needs.

I have a broad range of experience, having worked with clients dealing with complex issues such as complicated grief, long-term health conditions, and identity challenges.

To book a session or inquire about group work, feel free to reach out or schedule a free 15-minute consultation. I look forward to the possibility of working together.

My priority is to create a safe and comfortable space for you. I recognise that if you’ve experienced trauma, you might not feel ready to explore your past just yet, and that’s okay. It’s important to note that while the past is often present, like an echo, it doesn’t need to be the sole focus of our work together.

I’ll be with you every step of the way, working at your pace and keeping in mind that your capacity to cope can shift depending on your current life circumstances. Sometimes, ongoing stress or significant life events can make it difficult to address deeper issues. In those moments, we can concentrate on what’s immediately troubling you, which can serve as a stepping stone to deeper healing later on.

I believe in the power of understanding how trauma affects your brain and body. By sharing this insight with you, I hope to empower you and help you build the confidence to tackle these challenges, even when they feel overwhelming.

Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is essential to this process. I prioritse ensuring you feel emotionally safe before we delve into any trauma work. Together, we’ll create a nurturing space where you can approach your experiences gently, at a pace that feels right for you.

Ultimately, my approach is centred around safety, self-paced exploration, and the belief that healing is absolutely achievable. In our fast-paced world, where traditional support systems may feel lacking, therapists serve as modern healers. Healing from trauma requires connection, understanding, and a sense of community. Together, we can reclaim your narrative and embark on a meaningful journey toward healing and safety.

I’m Sarah Janes, a queer, trauma-informed therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate the complexities of trauma, including depression, anxiety, dissociation, and relationship challenges. My practice is focused on creating a safe, relational and confidential space for clients to explore their experiences and feelings, particularly those stemming from trauma.

My therapeutic approach is on understanding how trauma affects the mind and body. Many clients struggle with discussing their traumatic experiences due to avoidance, a natural response to pain. I respect this instinct and work at each client’s pace, recognising that healing requires safety and readiness. This means addressing immediate challenges in life before diving into deeper issues, allowing clients to build the emotional resources necessary for healing.

I provide psychoeducation to help clients understand the impact of trauma, fostering empowerment and confidence in their ability to confront it. Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is crucial; I prioritise creating a supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore their trauma without pressure or haste.

I draw on theories such as structural dissociation, which explain how trauma can create a split in the personality, often leading to feelings of disconnection from oneself. By recognising signs of this dissociation, we can begin to bridge the gap between the emotional and everyday parts of the self.

 I also have extensive experience working with loss and bereavement, having volunteered at Caris Bereavement Agency and worked for the NHS and Positive East.

If you're ready to explore your trauma and its effects on your life, I invite you to reach out for more information or to book an initial consultation. Together, we can work toward healing and reclaiming your narrative.

The initial session is free, and I will focus on understanding what brings you to therapy, paying close attention not only to your words but also to the pauses and nuances in our conversation.

We can use this session to see if we're a good fit to work together and there is no pressure to continue if you're not feeling a connection.