Sharon Lake

I offer sessions in person in the Queens Park area of Brighton or online via Microsoft Teams. 

I currently have flexible availability  

Sessions last 50 minutes and can be booked weekly or fortnightly. 

I am trained in Humanistic counselling, which means my aim is to be alongside as you explore things in your life you would like to see more clearly. I take a person centred approach which is underpinned by the belief that you hold the answers to your questions. My role is to help you unlock the skills, tools and knowledge you already have. I have believe in you, even when you might not.

I offer a peaceful and compassionate space where you can explore difficult life experiences and things which might leave you feeling vulnerable. 

Together we can think about patterns of behaviour you might want to change so that you can make positive decisions about how you want to live your life. We can identify goals you want to achieve or work toward something you may already have in mind.  

In addition to my primary training I have also completed the following training:

Certificate in CRUSE Bereavement Care

Certificate in Post Adoption Counselling 

The Challenge of Racism in Therapeutic Practice

Gender, Relationship and Sexuality Diversity - with Meg-John Barker

Working with Sexual Trauma 

I have over 20 years experience of working across a range of social care settings which has featured sensitively sharing and listening to difficult information and lived experiences. I am comfortable sitting with big feelings and have empathy with others seeking to find meaning in things they are feeling.  

I draw on theories including attachment and systemic to help us to make sense of relationships and life experiences. My counselling practice is informed by phenomenological theories, which means I take into account how your individual experiences and perspectives impact how you see and move through the world. I incorporate aspects of Transactional Analysis (TA) and Motivational Interviewing into how we will work together. 

My experience includes work with;

Pregnancy loss and childlessness

Exploring Sexuality

Exploring Gender identity

Diverse relationships

Care experienced adults

Racial Identity 

Racism and Race based trauma

Complex family relationships

Childhood trauma

My practice is anti-racist and LGBTQIA+ affirmative.

I am a Black, cisgender woman with she / her pronouns. I hold an awareness of how different aspects of my identity intersect to inform my world view and lived experience. 

I approach my journey through the world with cultural humility and an awareness that every experience is an opportunity to learn.

I am happy to answer any questions on email or in a 20 minute phone call before our initial meeting. 

Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know a little about each other. I will take some basic details from you and we will agree boundaries and parameters for our work together.     

This is a chance for us both to make decisions about whether working together feels right.  

I aim to respond to all initial contact within 48 hours. Please check your voicemail or email spam for my response.