Sandra Killeen

I am taking on new clients and currently have availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact me for more information.

I am an experienced accredited counsellor.  I have worked successfully with many clients since 2016, helping them work through the problems that brought them to counselling and go on to lead happier, more fulfilled lives.

I trained as a counsellor after my own life experiences led me to seek personal counselling.  My life experiences help me understand what it’s like when you're going through a tough time. Clients tell me that they feel extremely safe and comfortable being open with me.

I specialise in helping clients with anxiety and low self-esteem. I have a particular interest in working with adults who had difficult childhood experiences. I also work with clients experiencing parental child abduction, depression, bereavement, relationship problems, work issues and many other areas.

My practice is based in West Lancashire, close to Skelmersdale and Ormskirk.

How counselling can help.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope with life, it can be hard to talk to family members or friends about how you are feeling. They might want to give you advice or try to fix things for you. Maybe you feel bad for sharing your problems with them. It can be hard to be totally open with people that you are close to if you feel that your words could have a negative impact on them, or you fear they will judge you. Maybe there is nobody that you trust enough to share your worries with.

Talking through your feelings and thoughts, with a counsellor who listens without judgement, can have a positive impact on your life. It can help you to learn how to make better decisions and develop improved ways of coping. Counselling can help with many issues. It can be used to explore both past and current difficulties.

 I use both person centred and CBT approaches in my work and can adapt sessions to suit your need. As our sessions progress I will ask for feedback, so that we can work out which approach is right for you.

What happens during counselling?

During counselling you are given the space to talk and to be heard. You will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns and emotions that may be troubling you. I will respect you and hear you without judgement in a safe, relaxed, confidential environment.I strive to build a working relationship which is based on trust and respect.

I will support you to work through the emotions and thoughts that occur whilst making sense of your problems. While this is happening, I will also help you to develop the confidence to make your own decisions, bring about change and start to live the life that you want.

I understand that it can be daunting to talk about yourself to a stranger and that is why it is important that you find a counsellor that you are comfortable with. I offer a no-obligation 15 minute telephone consultation so that you have the chance to talk to me and decide whether you would like to book an initial session.

You might feel nervous before coming to your first session. I hope that reading this section might help you to know what to expect and feel a little bit more confident about starting counselling.

In our first session I will tell you a little bit of information about me and discuss with you how our sessions together will work. I will explain my counselling contract and complete brief initial paperwork.

I will ask you to tell me what it is that brings you to counselling. There is no right or wrong way to do this. You can tell me as much or as little as feels comfortable for you. You might be unsure what to say or how to explain what is happening for you. Or you might be so desperate to talk to somebody that everything comes spilling out. Either way I will listen to you without judgement and will treat you with respect. While I am listening I will check to make sure that I fully understand what you are saying.

At the end of the session I will ask whether you want to book another session. There is no obligation to do this.

I hope that reading this has answered some of the questions that you might have around counselling. If you want any more details give me a call or drop me an email. Please leave a message if I'm unable to answer your call.