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Who am I?

Here is a little of my story – which I hope addresses some commonly asked questions and sets out where I am coming from and the experiences I bring to my working relationship.

My Story

For over thirty years I have dedicated my working life to young people as a teacher of drama and English. As an educator I have experienced the highs and lows of learning new skills…the highs of achievement and the stresses of the pressure to perform in sometimes very critical work places.

Now as a therapist I am able to give support in more quality time to support those journeys – from the other side!

Before I was a salary slave, I was a performer and play leader. I worked in various community venues running play schemes, drama workshops and committing myself to helping the unheard in my local communities; women, youngsters, LGBTQI and diverse Civil Rights groups. I was part of a touring theatre group also.

I was the first in my family to make it to university. Once there, studying English & American Studies I was confused about my direction. I was lucky enough to go onto a Drama & English teacher training course in Manchester, where I felt most at home.

As a teenager, my family moved around a great deal from the U. S. to England, Saudi & Nigeria. Through many a culture clash, I longed for consistency and stability.

As a military baby and then child, I struggled with the confusion of being labelled from a ‘broken home’ and found comfort most among friends, animal friends and the outdoors – away from ‘grown up’ rules!

This is my story.

What’s your story?

Working Inside

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Picasso

Welcome to Hearth Studio. We can gather in my studio room either side of the fireside initially. Here we can tell stories comfortably with the option of using a menu of creative tools to help explore stories if wanted: art, writing and play materials.

It has been my experience that there are an infinite number of ways to tell stories that are louder than words. It is often surprising how a different medium brings out a fresh perspective and insight on a story. And just talking is fine too.

 

Working Outside

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing. There is a field. I’ll meet you there. – Rumi

I grew up outside; wondering with animals along creeks; walking with loved ones; climbing trees; helping my grandparents on their farm & finally living by the sea as a teenager. Moving outside has always been life-giving to me and freed me from indoor stress- like a dog needing a walk.

I have personally done nearly 5 years of outdoor therapy & 1 year of outdoor supervision recently, which has continued my outdoor revelations – contact with the weather, the seasons, the changing skies and migrations can be a dramatic and powerful backdrop to internal dramas, draw them out, clarify and calm them. That is my experience.

Safety and mutual boundaries are maintained outside.

Walks can be adjusted according to ability.

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I am comfortable discussing issues of:

aging

alienation

anxiety

bullying

burn out

education

family dilemmas

gender identity

lack of confidence

money matters

parenting

relationships

self-esteem

sexuality

stress

teenagers

work

for starters!

Therapy Style

“We came into the world princes and princesses.” – Eric Berne

My style of therapy is based on Eric Berne’s theories of T.A. or Transactional Analysis. Sounds very grand, but basically looks at the little things we say and do that add up to the big things in life. These ‘little things’ often come from voices in our head, which themselves come from our parents and our life/their story – the family tree of life.

It may be helpful to look at the bigger picture behind, in order to identify what we actually choose to repeat, and what we might choose to leave behind and move forward  from.

Berne believed in the Child within holding the essence of who we are, but our Child often got hurt or ignored and did not get her/his needs met. This can mean we adapt into some strange habits that do not always invite healthy relationships.

I will transparently offer some of Berne’s tools to experiment and use, to see if you find them useful.

Berne’s mission statement: authenticity through spontaneity, autonomy, intimacy

My Qualifications

B.A. Hons. in English & American Literature; PGCE in English & Drama; M.A. Mixed Modular

I have completed four years of advanced training as a T.A. psychotherapist at the South Manchester Centre of Psychotherapy.

I am a member of U.K.A.T.A. the United Kingdom Association of Transactional Analysts. I abide by their ethics.

 

Individual Testimonials

“Sarah is kind and understanding and a fantastic listener. She’s helped me to understand my feelings and challenge the negative ones and supported me through my grieving process.”

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“Thanks for bringing your openness, your humanness, and yourself to the Women’s Centre – it really is a pleasure to have you as part of the team.”

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“Thank you so much for the fantastic counselling over the last few months.

Thank you for helping me to talk about my mum again and for the comfort and support you gave me when I told you about that very painful time in my life. Thank you for giving me the strength to start to grieve her and remember her again.

Thank you for helping me to understand my negative thoughts and feelings. You have helped me to become less anxious and less stressed which has enabled me to enjoy my children more…Thank you for helping me to be and feel like a better mum and wife.

Thank you for your constant kindness, understanding and for generally being a lovely person!”

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“You’ve helped me explore relationships and communication – helped strengthen my sense of self.”

Workshop Testimonials

“Thank you so much for an interesting, challenging, and informative day…I got so much from  your training and really enjoyed myself, too. I particularly loved the practical elements of sculpting and working with ‘Andy’ on chair work…loads I can apply to my practice.” – practicing therapist on CPD training