ÌÇÐĹÙÍø

Current availability:

Monday afternoon.

Wednesday afternoon.

Thursday morning.

My availability varies so do get in touch and we can try to find a suitable time. Clients can either select a regular appointment time, or arrange flexibly depending on your schedule.

Hi! I'm Sara, an Integrative Psychotherapist based in Penrith, offering in person, online and telephone counselling. 

Sometimes life throws stuff at us that is really hard to carry alone. Illness, loss and grief, relationship challenges, moving house, stress at work, questioning life choices, caring for family members - whatever's happening, whether it's something new or something you've been holding for a while, we can feel lost, anxious, or uncertain about what comes next, who we are, and how to make life feel a bit more bearable. Therapy provides a space to recognise the impact of what you've been through and what you're going through now. Together we can start to make sense of your feelings and explore how they're affecting you, and identify the strengths that will get you through these challenges.

I offer a space to explore, reflect, remember, imagine, and get curious, at your own pace, where you feel supported, valued, and not judged. Maybe it's time to process something heavy you've been carrying around for years, or something specific happening in your life right now has thrown things off balance, leaving everything unsettled. Whatever it is, you don't need to face it alone.

We start with you and your experiences - your stories, memories, challenges, fears, hopes, and ideas. Your past, present, and future. Within the therapeutic relationship, we’ll work together to make sense of things. We will explore what’s worrying you, and think together about how you can live in a way that feels aligned with your values and hopes.

What we might do in sessions:

- listening

- questioning

- tuning into feelings

- exploring attachment and thinking about how things that have happened in the past impact your sense of self, relationships, and well-being

- exploring patterns in relationship dynamics

- creative activities

- mindfulness and grounding techniques

....and more. I hope you'll feel safe, supported, and valued along the way!

I trained as an integrative psychotherapist, using existential, psycho-dynamic and person-centred approaches. Together we'll explore what is going on for you - we might look back at your childhood, talk about your daily life, or look at the 'here and now' to try to make sense of things. We'll get curious together, working at your pace, with warmth and compassion.

Core training:

Post-Graduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (University of Lancashire, 2025, Level 7). As part of my training I did a placement with West Cumbria Carers Support.

Additional relevant qualifications, training, and experience:

Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling (Counselling Tutor, 2026)

COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills - Level 3 (2023)

NCFE CACHE Level 2 Counselling Skills certificate (2022)

Cruse Bereavement Support Foundation Course (2020). I have 6 years of experience supporting bereaved client, and I'm really passionate about supporting people through grief, loss, and bereavement.

Continued Professional Development:

As a member of ÌÇÐĹÙÍø I commit to undertaking regular professional training, in person and online. Recent courses include:

Body image & Sexuality: Befriending the Sexual Self after Trauma (Angela Gunn, May 2026)

How to apply parts work: Foundations for therapeutic practice (Kate Williams, March 2026)

Working creatively with postcards (Lesley Kollikho, October 2025)

Forest bathing for mental wellness (Lee White, September 2025)

How to Work with Anxiety using a Single-Session Mindset (Windy Dryden, September 2025)

Experience with clients: I have experience of supporting clients with bereavement and grief including anticipatory grief, anxiety, relationship challenges and exploration including ethical non-monogamy, health anxiety, boundaries, family challenges, overwhelm and burnout, identity and self-worth, loneliness and isolation, and seeking purpose and fulfilment.

I offer a short free introductory call (approx 15 - 20 minutes, by telephone or online) where we can both get a sense of whether we can work together, and whether I am an appropriate therapist for you. It's a chance to ask questions about how counselling will work and sort out practicalities too.

In our first session, we'll continue getting to know each other, and start looking at what you're hoping to get out of therapy, and how we can best work together.

Don't worry if it feels a bit daunting - doing therapy for the first time, or getting to know your new therapist, is a big deal! There's no rush and no pressure to talk about anything specific in your first session - we go at your pace, and sometimes it takes a few sessions to settle into the work. The first step is showing up. 

For in person sessions: I'll welcome you into the space, show you where the toilets are, and offer you a cup of tea and water. Before your first session, I'll send you clear directions and pictures of the room and entry so you know what to expect.

For online sessions: you can use your phone or a tablet or laptop - just try to be in a space where you don't feel overheard so you can settle into the session. Get yourself a cup of tea or a glass of water and feel free to doodle or use a fidget toy or whatever works to feel comfortable.