Sarah Westlake

My availability is fairly fluid depending on clients coming to the end of their counselling journey and new clients starting. I offer early sessions from 8am up to 8pm in the evening, as I know if you're in full time work getting the help you want can become difficult because of the availability of the therapist. At present, I do not work at the weekends. However, between the two of us, hopefully, we can come to some time that suits us both.

I am an integrative counsellor, which means that I work in a humanistic way, human to human and express empathy, support and acceptance to someone regardless of what they say, do or have done. We are all human, and humans make mistakes don't we? Why should you be judged for believing you've made a mistake, it's how humans learn! 

Additionally, I aim to see the person in front of me as an individual and therefore unique, which means one approach to the therapeutic journey may not work, with that in mind, I pull my inspiration from various other theories and models, such as Transactional Analysis, Solution Focussed, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Gestalt approach.

I work with Children, Young People and Adults. At times I work creatively with clients. Creative interventions help individuals become aware of sensations, emotions, images and relationships. Expressive modalities are particularly useful in helping individuals communicate aspects of memories and stories that may not be readily available through conversation. However, I am also aware that some people find working creatively uncomfortable and that's ok, I also like to work just through talking and being beside you when you tell me your story, that in itself can be extremely powerful.

I offer a space, which is safe and trustworthy, no judgement, for you to unpack your emotions, experiences and fears at your own pace.

At present, I offer online or face to face counselling.

 I do not have a counselling room at my home address, instead, I have two locations which I hire out therapy rooms for clients that prefer face to face sessions.

I also do walk-and-talk therapy. Although walk and talk therapy can be beneficial, it is not necessarily the best match for everyone. If you love being outside, walk and talk therapy may be a good fit for you. People who have a lot of extra energy during therapy sessions or who don't feel comfortable sitting still may benefit from walk and talk therapy.

People who prefer to converse while sitting side by side rather than face to face may benefit from walk and talk therapy, because you'll be strolling beside your therapist rather than facing each other and making eye contact. These changes might make it feel safer for you to open up and discuss your feelings.

Online sessions will be done via a video platform with the camera turned on. You don't have to travel anywhere to get the support you need with online therapy, which saves you time and money. This is especially useful if you have mental health, mobility, or other challenges that make leaving the house difficult, or if you live in a rural place.

If you email me or have shown interest in me in becoming your therapist, I will email you back and ask for a suitable time for you and I to have an informal chat. This helps us both to gain a little insight into the other person's personality and is an opportunity for you to ask me any questions you may have. This is quite important, as your relationship with your therapist is the crux to trusting them with your inner thoughts and feelings. If you think about it, we wouldn't tell someone who we don't trust our darkest secrets would we, and it's the same in therapy, you won't want to be vulnerable and open up with a therapist who you feel is untrustworthy.

Once you have decided that I am the therapist for you, we arrange a time and date for our first session together. These sessions last for 50 minutes at the same time and day each week (unless we have arranged otherwise).

On the first session, I do an assessment and we complete a contract together. This isn't as horrific as some people think it may be...It is a few questions such as DOB, address, GP details, experiences of depression, anxiety, what your sleep is like, any addictions in the past or present, family life etc. It lasts for around 30 minutes and then the client has time to start to tell their story. After that, in future sessions, the whole 50 minutes is directed in the way the client would like, such as telling their story, speaking about their week, unpacking certain problems and so on.