Hi, I’m Sarah and I am a qualified counsellor and registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) . I have a special interest in working with older children, young people and adults living with or alongside ASD and or ADHD, grief and loss, and addiction (or problem drinking). I also have a passion for working with older children transitioning to secondary school or young people to College or University and anybody who has experienced a preterm/premature birth.
I am a volunteer counsellor for both Cruse Bereavement Care and One Recovery Bucks. I also worked as a volunteer counsellor at Time to Talk, working with children and adolescents over the age of 10 years. I also volunteered for over 6 years with Bliss, the charity for premature and sick babies.
How can I help you?
The focus of my work with any client (older children, young people and adults alike) is to create a secure relationship that is based on trust, respect, feeling heard and being valued. I work with you to find the best way of helping you to connect to your emotions and feelings. This might be through talking or you might prefer to use more creative tools when the words simply cannot be found, such as painting and drawing, music and play.
My private practice is called The Resilience Tree Counselling Service in Herts & Bucks. Resilience is a quality that helps to drive our emotional and physical wellbeing. Learning how to become more resilient is critical, in childhood especially and underpins a lot of the work I carry out with children and young people with ASD. Building resilience is also key to my work with those clients who have experienced the death of a loved one or a different kind of personal loss (such as a relationship breakdown or redundancy) and those struggling to overcome an addiction.
Where am I based?
I am currently based in two locations; The Fairford Leys Centre in Aylesbury and Open Door in Berkhamsted. Both venues have a reception area and nearby parking available for free. The Fairford Leys Centre has disabled access and parking.
What can you expect?
I understand how difficult it can be to make that first step which is why I offer an initial, free telephone conversation so that you can tell me a bit about yourself (or your child) and why you are seeking support so that we can decide whether we will be well suited to work together. We can then arrange a face to face session to meet in person.
If you are a parent seeking support for a child 13 years or younger or those with a severe anxiety or disability that impacts upon communication, I will request to meet you alone for an initial assessment session so that I can understand your concerns, the difficulties you believe your child is experiencing and how you feel they need support. For more information please see my website.
Fees
Adult One to One Counselling - £45 for a 50 minute session.
Older Children and Young People - One to One Counselling - £45 for a 50 minute session
Older Children (10 – 13 years) initial assessment meeting with parent/carer only - £50 for a 60 minute session
I have a limited number of concessions available for those on a reduced income and for student counsellors.
Group Therapy – I run facilitated groups for various issues such grief and loss and parents with a child on the Autistic Spectrum. Please contact me for more information www.facebook.co.uk/theresiliencetreecounsellingherts&bucks
Qualifications & Training
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (ABC)
BACP Certificate of Proficiency of Voluntary Registration
Certificate in Counselling Children and Young People
Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems
Cruse Bereavement Care Foundation Course - Awareness in Bereavement Care
The National Autistic Society – Certificate in Understanding Autism in Women & Girls
CBT & Counselling with ASD Clients: A Masterclass with Tony Attwood
Group Facilitation Training – currently undergoing
Other Interests
I run a monthly support group in Tring for girls with ASD between the ages of 7 and 11 years. The group provides the girls with an opportunity to learn new skills and socialise with other children in a safe and non-judgemental setting. Please email me for further information.
