Sarah Boylan Counselling Dip.Couns., B.A.(Hons), MBACP (Accred)
Wokingham and Bracknell

My approach

I work with Individuals (over 18) and Couples on whatever is troubling you. It may well be that your past is affecting how you think and feel now and so we would look at what has happened in your past.

The ultimate aim is for you to understand yourself, be kinder to yourself and allow you the space to change your self-perception so that the choices you make in life are the ones that are truly the best for you.

The pace and the depth of the work is determined by you and we may use creative media if it helps you to more easily express yourself.

It is my belief that everyone has within them the answers and guidance for their situation and my role is to work alongside you to find that inner wisdom.

For Couples, the emphasis is on your relationship although by looking at how your relationship is with your partner, you will begin to understand how your relationship is affected by both your pasts. By its very nature, couples work is more directive than individual work and tends to be shorter term.

Professional Qualifications and Training

• Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
  
• Accredited Member BACP
  
• Level 2 Couples Counselling
  
• Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (ACTO recognised)
  
• Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health (Cache endorsed)
  
• Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
  
• Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
  
• B.A.(Hons)
  
  Professional Development Training Including:
  
• Managing Anxiety
  
• Managing Anger
  
• Working with Loneliness
  
• Working with Trauma
  
• Working with Shame
  
• Psychosexual Therapy
  
• Sexuality and Gender
  
• Sexual Abuse
  
• Couples Counselling
  
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
  
• Transactional Analysis
  
• Understanding Menopause
  
• Autistic Spectrum Condition
  
• Autism Masking
  
• ADHD Awareness
  
• Working with Suicide Ideation
  
• Eating Disorders
  
• Narcissism
  
• Body Modification
  
• Effects of Virtual World/Social Media
  
• Neuroscience of the mind-body connection
  
• Energy Psychotherapy
  
• Working with Creative Tools in Therapy
  
• Integrating Artwork into your Counselling Practice

Further Testimonials

I recently had a series of counselling with Sarah, and from our very first appointment I was put at ease immediately. Sarah had a way of making me open up without putting any pressure on me. She had a great way of making me feel at ease and opening up to my worries. At times she made me laugh and other times made me cry but it was a great relief to pour out all my feelings to someone who I feel really cared. My family are very understanding towards my problem but opening up to a stranger is something completely different. It’s nice to know you are not alone.. Thank you Sarah I really appreciate the help you gave me. (T)

Being able to talk comfortably and confidently has helped me to open up. All the tools and advice have been put in place. This has helped me to understand better and deal with certain situations. I would not have been able to understand certain aspects of my life or what happened without it. I feel so much stronger and have a better understanding of my life. I will always be grateful to Sarah for what she has done for me. (G)

Thank you so much for helping me understand so much about my emotions, myself and how to manage myself in conversations. I have learned things no one has ever explained to me before. Thank you. (E)

Sarah helped me work through a particularly challenging time in my life. Her gentle and supportive manner really helped me understand the root causes, surface the priorities and provide a framework for thinking about them. She was flexible in her approach, and gave me constructive ways to reflect on my situation, adjust my perspective and develop a more positive way of thinking. (C)

When I first met Sarah I was in a really bad place. Health anxieties made me feel like I was going out of my mind. Through discussion and exploring coping techniques with Sarah I have managed to get my life back on track. Issues that would have had me spending days worrying now last minutes. I haven’t been able to stop the thoughts about my health but, I can now rationalise them and move on. This is all thanks to Sarah. (M)

….I'm feeling like myself. I'm not sure I've ever felt so comfortable being myself before (in the work place), it's really refreshing. I want to say a huge thanks for your time over the last few months. I've learnt a lot about myself and ways to manage moments of anxiety. It's made such a huge difference and perhaps why I've started this role feeling so comfortable. (H)

Thank you very much for all your help over the last year. I feel I have changed a lot for the better, in times where I didn’t see any light. I will use what I have learnt to carry me through this next phase of getting exactly where I want to be. I know I will achieve what I want, and I know I’ll get to where I want to be. Next time we speak, I’ll be even prouder of how far I have come, and look forward to telling you. Thank you so much again. (L)

My life is so busy and fulfilled and my relationship with my daughter is going great. You have helped me gain perspective and the confidence to have a more positive outlook on life. I feel like a different person to when I first started seeing you seven months ago. Thank you so much for all your help and support! (S)

Saved our marriage. (J)

Sarah has been such an amazing support for me during a very difficult time. Helping me to understand feelings and emotions as well as helping me see myself and worth. Understanding that I need to be kinder to myself and realising what I have been through and appreciating that it was a lot. To have a safe place to talk openly without causing worry or stress to others while receiving a non biased helpful advised and coping strategies. I have come a long way since meeting Sarah and feel like she has helped me to find and trust my old self. (M)

I just wanted to say thank you for all your help over the last couple of months. It's really helped, in fact I haven't felt this good in years. (T)

Sarah was able to provide me with a environment in which I could talk through the incredibly challenging time I was going through. The sessions allowed me to understand how the situation I was in was impacting me and how I could develop techniques to overcome events which had previously been very difficult to deal with. I am now in a position where I can look very positively to the future with a stronger sense of self awareness. (T)

I found Sarah to be transparent, knowledgeable, personable, empathic, warm and encouraging throughout my counselling with her. I really feel that my experience with Sarah has helped me to find a much longer term of managing my feelings of depression and anxiety whilst having realistic expectations that life has its ups and downs. (P)

Sarah helped me to gently explore and challenge my ways of thinking. Empowering me to recognise that some of the well-established criticisms I held of myself were unfounded. She allowed me space to bring my authentic self: whether that was the angry me, the crying me or the indifferent me. She met me where I was. When things were difficult, I felt held by Sarah. And in the lighter moments, I appreciated our shared laughter. (C)

I'd just like to say again, thank you, the counselling I have done with you really has made a difference and has been such a positive experience for me. (P)