Joanne Sage

Working Days are:

Monday & Saturday at Try Talking in Addlestone

Evening sessions available on Monday

12-8pm on Monday in person and online

11-6pm on Saturday in person and online.

I am an experienced integrative therapist, drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches and tailoring our work to your individual needs, experiences and goals. I believe no two people are the same, and that therapy should reflect your circumstances rather than follow a fixed formula.

Together, we can explore what is happening for you, make sense of your experiences and consider how you would like to move forward. Therapy offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and be heard in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space. 

You may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem or difficulties with confidence, boundaries and relationships.  

I work with the effects of trauma, developmental trauma, complex trauma and post-traumatic stress. These experiences can affect trust, emotional regulation, relationships, sleep, confidence and your ability to feel safe in your body. Trauma does not have to involve one significant event; ongoing stress, emotional neglect, family conflict, loss, rejection, bullying or instability can also have a lasting impact.

An integrative approach allows us to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviour and relationships, while considering how past experiences may influence your present life. We can also explore the connection between your mind and body. 

We can consider your family history, early relationships and patterns that may have shaped your beliefs about yourself and others. This is not about blame, but about developing greater understanding and recognising what you may now wish to change.

My role is not to judge you, tell you what to do or make assumptions about your life. I will work collaboratively with you, supporting greater self-compassion, healthier boundaries and a stronger sense of choice.

Therapy is not about changing who you are. It is about understanding yourself more deeply, recognising your existing strengths and considering new possibilities for moving forward.

Sometimes life can throw things at us that leave us feeling bewildered, overwhelmed, or a little lost. At these times, it can be difficult to acknowledge that we may feel stuck in a situation.

In my practice, I offer a safe and supportive space to help you develop greater acceptance and clarity, enabling you to move forward in your life.

Mindfulness and anxiety

Anxiety can feel as though your thoughts have taken over, becoming all-consuming and affecting your day-to-day life.

Through mindfulness, we can become curious about what may be contributing to your anxiety in the here and now. By making space for your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, you can begin to relate to them in a different way.

Mindfulness may help you develop a greater sense of awareness and choice, rather than feeling controlled by your thoughts. Over time, this can support you in responding to life with greater calm and clarity.

Early childhood experiences and trauma

Not everyone has had a “good enough” childhood. Early experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and respond to the world around us.

Although we cannot undo the past, we can create space to understand and work through the emotional wounds it may have left behind. I use a gentle, mind–body approach to explore old thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that may no longer serve you in adult life.

If you were taught to survive in childhood, it can be challenging to learn how to thrive in adulthood.

With care and empathy, I will support you in recognising and honouring the younger parts of yourself that may still influence how you feel and behave today. Together, we can explore whether these old patterns are still “pulling the strings” and find more supportive ways of responding in the present.

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche

Our first session is an opportunity for us to meet and begin to understand what has brought you to counselling. I offer a calm, confidential and non-judgemental space, and you can choose what feels comfortable to share.

I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative, so I will allow you to lead the conversation. There is no expectation that you explain everything straight away, and you do not need to have the “right” words. We can go at a pace that feels manageable for you.

I may ask some gentle questions to help me understand your current situation, what you hope to gain from counselling and whether there are particular areas you would like support with. We will also discuss confidentiality, boundaries, practical arrangements and how we might work together.

The first session is also an opportunity for you to decide whether I feel like the right therapist for you. You are welcome to ask any questions about my approach or the counselling process. We do not need to make any major decisions during this session; the most important thing is that you feel heard, respected and comfortable.

Acceptance and moving forward:

Throughout my career, I have noticed that many people can speak about their experiences, yet struggle with acceptance and letting go.

In our work together, I will support you in developing insight, self-understanding, and the strength to move forward with greater hope and a more positive perspective.

We all have a story to make sense of. Perhaps you have noticed patterns of behaviour or relationships that feel unhealthy or unhelpful. I offer a safe space for you to explore what is happening for you now and consider how it may relate to your past.

Working online or outdoor “walk and talk” therapy

I also offer home-visits for those that may require them.

Available on  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturdays both online via zoom or outdoor therapy.

Please get in touch for available time slots.

I am an experienced integrative therapist, drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches and tailoring our work to your individual needs, experiences and goals. I believe no two people are the same, and that therapy should reflect your circumstances rather than follow a fixed formula.

Together, we can explore what is happening for you, make sense of your experiences and consider how you would like to move forward. Therapy offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and be heard in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space. 

You may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem or difficulties with confidence, boundaries and relationships.  Perhaps coping strategies developed earlier in life no longer support us and may begin to feel restrictive or exhausting.

I work with the effects of trauma, developmental trauma, complex trauma and post-traumatic stress. These experiences can affect trust, emotional regulation, relationships, sleep, confidence and your ability to feel safe in your body. Trauma does not have to involve one significant event; ongoing stress, emotional neglect, family conflict, loss, rejection, bullying or instability can also have a lasting impact.

An integrative approach allows us to explore your thoughts, feelings, behaviour and relationships, while considering how past experiences may influence your present life. We can also explore the connection between your mind and body.

My role is not to judge you, tell you what to do or make assumptions about your life. I will work collaboratively with you, supporting greater self-compassion, healthier boundaries and a stronger sense of choice. 

Therapy is not about changing who you are. It is about understanding yourself more deeply, recognising your existing strengths and considering new possibilities for moving forward.

“The past has no power to stop you from being present now. Only your grievance about the past can do that. And what is grievance? The baggage of old thought and emotion.” 

Eckhart Tolle

I offer a warm, collaborative and compassionate approach to therapy. As an experienced integrative therapist, I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches and tailor our work to your individual needs, experiences and goals. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we will work together to understand what feels most helpful for you.

Our sessions provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what is troubling you. You may arrive with a clear understanding of what has brought you to therapy, or you may simply feel that something is not right. There is no expectation that you will have everything worked out before we begin. I will listen carefully, support you to make sense of your experiences and work at a pace that feels manageable.

You can expect me to be present, respectful and interested in your experience. I will not judge you, tell you what to do or make assumptions about your life. Instead, I will work alongside you, offering gentle questions, reflection and appropriate therapeutic tools to help you develop greater self-understanding and choice.

I work with a range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, boundary setting and the effects of trauma, developmental trauma, complex trauma and post-traumatic stress. We will never rush into difficult areas. You remain in control of what you share, and we will focus first on establishing trust, safety and stability.

Therapy is not about changing who you are or fixing everything immediately. It is a process of developing a deeper understanding of yourself, building on your existing strengths and discovering possibilities for moving forward with greater self-compassion and confidence.

I offer sessions online and through walk-and-talk therapy in Bushy Park and Richmond Park. 

In our first session, we will begin to build an understanding of what is happening for you, what has brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together. We will also consider whether I am the right therapist to support you.

Connection is an important part of therapy and helps shape how we work together. Speaking openly with someone you have not met before can feel daunting, so I will aim to create a warm, welcoming and non-judgemental space where you can feel as comfortable as possible.

There is no pressure to share everything straight away or to have all the answers. We can take time to explore your expectations of therapy, any concerns you may have and what would help you feel safe and supported. My hope is that, together, we can build trust, reduce barriers and develop a way of working that feels right for you.