Sarah Portwine

I currently have availability for new clients, I work Monday to Friday offering face to face, online or telephone sessions. I can offer morning, afternoon or evening sessions. 

Welcome to my profile, I am a professionally qualified and experienced counsellor and psychotherapist. I have several years experience working with adults and young people (aged 13+) in the charitable sector and in private practice. 

Choosing to engage in counselling and psychotherapy can be a daunting prospect, my aim is to make you feel at ease by using a non-judgmental and empathetic approach in a safe and confidential space. My comfortable therapy room is in a quiet and discrete location on the Isle of Wight. I offer face to face, online or telephone sessions as well as a free 30-minute initial consultation by phone. 

I describe myself as an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, adapting my approach based on the needs of the client. I do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach to therapy. I have worked with a diverse range of clients and recognise the needs of each client are unique. 

Qualifications and training

BA (Hons) in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy - Middlesex University (BACP Accredited Degree)

Diploma of Higher Education (Open) including Understanding Counselling and Psychotherapy: exploring fear and sadness, Death and dying, Challenging ideas in mental health, Investigating psychology and Science of the mind - Open University 

Bereavement Support Certificate - Cruse Bereavement Care

Certified Cyber Therapist - Online Therapy Institute

CPD courses: Understanding Trauma, Keeping Children Safe Online, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Existential Contributions to Counselling/Psychotherapy, Bisexuality in GSRD Therapy, Intersectionality, Coming Out, Dimensions of Sexuality, Faith Religion & Spirituality, Gender Identities, Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversities Therapy, Intimate Partner Violence & Minority Stress, Parenting outside heteronormativity, Shame & Internalised Oppression, Substance Use & Misuse, Understanding Kink/BDSM

Counselling and psychotherapy are a collaborative endeavour. You may have one issue you wish to explore or there may be several things you wish to bring to therapy. I believe therapy provides the opportunity to engage in a secure, trusting, and healthy relationship with a boundaried and empathetic person who is reliable and consistent. The therapeutic relationship can help you to explore your thoughts and feelings and develop new perspectives and insights. Whatever difficulties or emotions you are struggling with, therapy can help to facilitate a fuller realisation and acceptance of where you are now. As a result, our relationships with ourselves and others can become more authentic and enjoyable. Counselling and psychotherapy have the capacity to facilitate genuine change in our lives. In sessions I provide the opportunity to offload and safely explore whatever you are experiencing. Therapy offers a safe and non-judgmental environment to sensitively reflect on experiences and feelings that impact your life.

I specialise in gender, sexuality and relationship diversities (GSRD) therapy and have several years experience working with GSRD clients. I have a comprehensive understanding of diverse practices and identities. I am BDSM and kink knowledgeable and work with awareness of the dynamics of diverse relationships. In my practice I support gay, lesbian, queer, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, and intersex/dsd people; trans, non-binary, gender fluid and genderqueer people; people who identify as fetishists, kinky or have an interest in BDSM; people in polyamorous and non-monogamous relationships; those people who are questioning their gender, sexuality and relationship styles and all those identities and practices in between. I am wholeheartedly committed to empowering GSRD clients to be their authentic selves through non-judgmental, affirming and client led counselling and psychotherapy.   

The initial telephone consultation will give us time to talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you have been struggling with and answer any questions you may have. There is no obligation to book a session if you engage in an initial phone consultation. Counselling and psychotherapy sessions are available Monday to Friday throughout the day and early evening.

In our first session, we will talk about what you would like to get from counselling/psychotherapy. You might have something specific you wish to work on, or it may be more abstract. It's also OK if you do not have any goal in mind or don't know what you would like to achieve. We will focus on whatever feels helpful for you. I will be alongside you to listen, reflect, empathise and gently question, working as a facilitator to safely explore emotional distress, experiences and issues that are impacting your life.