Sara Hemsley

LOCATION: Wilbury Road consulting room and Online
AVAILABILITY: Tuesdays 12pm to 2pm, Thursdays 10am to 12pm
PRICE: £50 per session
SPECIALISMS:
Burnout and stress
Depression
Historical abuse
Identity
Older people’s counselling
Racism
Self-harm
Sexuality and gender
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma
Work-related stress

Training 

Sara is a qualified Integrative Humanistic counsellor, with a focus in The Person-Centred Approach. This means in sessions the client leads (as you know yourself better than anyone) and the relationship between the client and counsellor is vital to the work. Sara also uses other techniques in sessions depending on the needs of the client.

Sara studied Psychology at university and has worked in different mental health settings, including a medium-secure forensic unit and a group treatment service for people with personality disorders. Sara has experience working in different counselling practices: an LGBTQ+ service, supporting trans clients during their transition; a hospice, working with loved ones of patients with terminal illnesses; a local low-cost counselling service.

In addition to specialist services, Sara also works with more common mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, in her private practice.

Approach

In your first session, Sara will discuss with you what has brought you to counselling and invite you to share anything you feel is relevant about your history or presenting issues. Whilst some clients may have a focus for their sessions, others may not have a specific goal and it is fine to explore whatever feels important each session.

As an Integrative Humanistic counsellor, Sara values the importance of a safe, trusting working alliance with the client to facilitate self-awareness and meaningful change. Sara believes you are the expert of your own experience so sessions are client-led, but she will support you to identify what is holding you back and overcome the barriers. She will make observations of patterns and ask questions to explore relevant themes. Sara endeavours to work in a warm, non-judgmental way, but will challenge unhealthy thoughts or patterns that hinder healing and acceptance of yourself.

Racial identity and cultural issues

Race, culture and ethnicity impacts how we experience the world, what beliefs we hold and perhaps even how our personality forms. As a person of mixed heritage herself, Sara understands how important racial identity can be to a person's sense of self. Sara has worked with clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, who questioned where they belong or felt misunderstood by others.

People from ethnic minorities may feel their experiences won't be understood in counselling, especially if you have also faced prejudice and discrimination, but your wellbeing matters no matter your background. By working in a culturally-informed way, you can be reassured you won't be judged for sharing your lived experience.

If you wish to explore your racial or cultural identity, Sara will support you to explore the issues you bring, help you strengthen your self-awareness and accept yourself for who you are.

Bereavement and grief

Sara has received training in bereavement counselling and volunteered at St Barnabas House Hospice, working with friends and families of people with terminal illnesses. Sara has experience supporting clients whilst they are grieving, and clients whose loved ones are at the end of their life, whilst clients anticipate their passing. Sara has also worked with people from different faiths and cultures, where beliefs around death and grief vary.

Losing someone you love is often incredibly painful and isolating, and it can feel impossible to continue without them. Depending on your relationship with the departed and the manner they passed you may experience a multitude of different and perhaps conflicting emotions. Bereavement counselling gives you space to process these emotions and your relationship with your loved one, whilst helping you move forward.

Grief is unique for everyone – some may find different grief models help them make sense of their loss, others may have specific experiences to work through, and others may want to find ways to honour their loved one in their own lives. Sara will work through your loss with you however best fits your needs.

Self-esteem and anxiety

Anxiety is often linked to a low self-esteem, where if you lack confidence in your own value and abilities you may experience anxiety more frequently, as you feel unable to cope with certain situations or feel undeserving of certain things. Whilst a little bit of anxiety can push us to work hard and be prepared, too much can cause distress, prevent us from doing the things we need to be happy and distance us from our friends and family.

Counselling can help you explore your anxieties and self-esteem by looking into why you have these beliefs about yourself. It could be identifying an instance in your life which made you feel small or uncertain – perhaps you may apply these feelings to situations in your life now. Sara can support you to disentangle the past from the present, and challenge your negative self-beliefs and anxieties. You will find ways to confront your inner critic and learn compassion for yourself.

Other information

Finding a counsellor that best suits your needs can be difficult, so Sara also offers a free 20 minute introductory call over the phone or by video, so you can meet each other, share a bit about yourself and what brings you to counselling, and ask any questions to help you decide whether you wish to proceed. Sara has worked with clients of different ethnicities, religions, ages and sexualities. She understands the importance of recognising diversity and the impact these differences may have on our experience of the world.

Outside of counselling Sara's interests include spending time outdoors, either gardening or being in nature, which she finds therapeutic and grounding.

Sara is fully insured and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), meaning she is professionally qualified and adheres to the BACP'S code of conduct. Sara offers sessions in-person at The Palmeira Practice.