A bit about me
My name is Sadie, I am a fully qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor.
Around ten years ago I started working therapeutically in a domestic abuse charity, supporting children and young people and their non-abusive parents. Through my time in the domestic abuse service, I met so many survivors who shared that there wasn’t the therapeutic thread alongside the practical support.
This left those impacted feeling without a voice and not really knowing what choices they had.
This professional experience shaped my practice and my commitment to working alongside survivors in a trauma informed way, working towards empowerment, autonomy and recovery.
I then trained as an independent domestic abuse advisor (IDVA) as I wanted to be able to communicate the practicalities, the police reporting, the court experience, the whole system in a way that was held in a sensitive and compassionate way, making it feel accessible and the person feeling listened to.
My area of specialism is working with people who have been subjected to Domestic abuse and sexual abuse and the emotional, physical and psychological impact that those affected live with.
The areas I work with include but are not limited to low confidence, anxiety, relationships both intimate and friendships, loss, grief, anger, stabilisation, safety, trust, boundaries and so much more.
Sometimes people have felt shame or have been worried to talk about or name anger as an emotion they feel. I want to offer spaces safe enough where anger has a voice and is given the same compassion and space to process and navigate along with all other trauma responses and emotions.
My approach is formed mostly by a person-centred model. I care deeply about the relational aspect of the work and the relationship between client and counsellor. Working in a person-centred way with a trauma informed approach means I am and will always be guided by the person who comes into the space and will work alongside you to overcome, develop, process and strengthen inner confidence, sense of self and safety.
I aim to work within the diversity of our different identities and lived experiences. I am committed to anti oppressive practice.
What can you expect from me as a counsellor
You can expect to be met with warmth, compassion and kindness. There will no expectations for you to have a plan for counselling, you may not know where to start, this may be your first experience of speaking and sharing your story. So, it will be my responsibility to ensure you have the right environment, safe enough to explore and develop your voice.
I meet you exactly where you are and welcome that part of you with no judgement or assumptions. This means I recognise the unique values and world experience you will enter the space with and meet you with curiosity and deep empathy.
There may be times where I introduce and interweave other modalities/approaches other than person-centred approaches but if I do, this will be reflective of your needs and only when we both feel it is suitable. Working in an integrative way means I have the understanding and training to introduce both psychodynamic and humanistic models into my sessions but every decision is based solely on the needs of the person in the room.
Why you may be starting counselling
You could be coming to counselling now because something happened in childhood or something more recent. You may find that there are links from past experiences that impact your day-to-day life now. This may be your first experience of counselling or something you’ve done throughout your life.
I can offer both short-term and longer-term counselling.
Some people don’t want to talk about what happened to them and that is completely ok. Instead, people may want to come to counselling to develop and learn coping strategies and tools to live around what happened and move forward with their lives.
Counselling can offer space to explore boundaries, establish what your needs are, learn how to have your own needs met, form core beliefs and start to listen to your own voice and practice having choice.
Counselling can provide space to grow a kinder and compassionate internal voice, make progress with regaining or developing confidence and self-worth. Counselling can be a place where you find safety to navigate difficult situations be it in the workplace, with friendships or family.
Counselling is your space and yours only! There will be no direct questions or expectation for you to disclose or share anything you do not feel comfortable sharing.
Where to find me
The Redland Practice
34b Chandos Mews
Stanley Road
Redland, Bristol
BS6 6PF
Directions
The entrance to 34B Chandos Mews is on Stanley Road (at the end that joins Chandos Road), which is a five minute walk from Redland Station and a ten minute walk from Clifton Down station. The entrance to the mews is next to Bristol Property Partnership. The mews entrance has a door and a dark grey roller shutter door, both next to a sign listing the occupiers. Please note, if using google maps it often drops the pin on nearby Chandos Road.
Book now for a free intro call
Book now for a free 30 minute call to see whether you would like to start counselling and decide whether we would be the right fit.