Sarah Pacelli

I currently have availability for new clients and offer both face-to-face and online counselling.

I aim to offer appointments at times that work around school, college, university, work and family commitments where possible.

I also offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation for parents, carers or young adults who would like to have an initial conversation before deciding whether to book a first session.

Please contact me to discuss current appointment times and availability.

Reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, and it is important to find someone you feel comfortable with. I offer a warm, calm and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly, feel heard and begin to make sense of what is happening for you.

I work in a person-centred way, which means I will meet you where you are and work at a pace that feels right for you. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Alongside talking therapy, I may use CBT-informed strategies, psychoeducation and practical tools to help you understand your thoughts, emotions and patterns more clearly.

I have particular experience supporting children, young people and young adults with anxiety, low mood, emotional overwhelm, bereavement, low self-esteem, school-related difficulties and relationship challenges. I also work with clients who are neurodivergent, or who may be exploring ADHD or autism, and understand how masking, sensory needs, executive functioning difficulties and feeling misunderstood can affect everyday life.

With children and young people, therapy does not always need to rely on talking. I often use creative activities, art, crafts, games and sensory resources to help feelings become easier to express and understand.

My aim is to help you feel more confident in understanding yourself, recognise patterns that may be keeping you stuck and develop coping strategies that feel realistic and useful in everyday life.

I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor with around eight years’ experience, and I offer both face-to-face and online counselling.

My practice offers a calm, welcoming and confidential space where you can talk openly without judgement. I work with children, young people and adults, offering both face-to-face and online counselling.

Sessions are tailored to the individual. Some clients prefer to talk, while others find it easier to explore feelings through creative activities, practical exercises or visual tools. When working with children and young people, I may use art, crafts, games, sensory resources and other age-appropriate activities to help them communicate and make sense of their experiences.

I support clients with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem, bereavement, relationship difficulties, school avoidance and life changes. I also have significant experience working with neurodivergent clients, including those with diagnosed or suspected ADHD and autism.

The first sessions are an opportunity for us to get to know one another, understand what has brought you to counselling and think about what you would like to gain from therapy. There is no pressure to disclose everything immediately, and we work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

For younger clients, I recognise the importance of working alongside parents, carers and schools where appropriate, while protecting the young person’s confidentiality and ensuring that therapy remains their own safe space.

My aim is to provide a supportive relationship in which you can feel understood, develop greater self-awareness and find practical ways of coping with the challenges you are facing.

Before the first counselling session, I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation with a parent, carer or young adult. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss the reason for seeking counselling, any immediate concerns and whether I may be the right person to offer support.

The first counselling session is charged at my normal session rate.

During the first session, I begin by getting to know the child or young person and understanding what has brought them to counselling. I usually work through an age-appropriate Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Depending on the child’s age and needs, this may be completed with the child or by a parent or carer on their behalf.

I also use the Stirling Children’s Wellbeing Scale with the child or young person. Rather than simply asking them to complete it independently, I go through each question with them and use their responses as a gentle way of exploring how they have been feeling and what they may be experiencing.

The first session is not intended to feel like a formal assessment. These tools help guide our conversation and give me a better understanding of the young person’s strengths, concerns and current wellbeing.

I also explain how counselling works, including confidentiality and its limits, and give the child or young person the opportunity to ask questions and begin to feel comfortable in the therapeutic space.

The pace is always guided by the individual, with no pressure to talk about anything before they feel ready.