Sharon Parker

I currently offer sessions via Zoom, telephone and ‘Walk and Talk’ outdoor therapy (subject to availability/appropriateness), taking place in beautiful public spaces around Didsbury Village, South Manchester.

£45 per session for remote (Zoom and/or telephone) or in-person sessions via Walk and Talk therapy.

Fully insured to work nationally/internationally.

Folks like yourself come to talking therapy for lots of different reasons and many find talking through issues and/or events extremely helpful. Whether you are struggling with social anxiety, feeling sad/depressed, experiencing low self-esteem and confidence, living/working in a dysfunctional and toxic environment, trying to come to terms with gender and/or sexual identity, or perhaps you don’t know why you feel the way you do, you do not need to suffer in silence any longer.

For over 25 years I have gained a great deal of experience working within social care environments and have engaged with a diverse range of people from all walks of life, all unique individuals just like yourself. My personal and professional experiences have given me a deep appreciation of the value of feeling heard and experiencing validation, and the significance of this for positive mental health and well-being.

As a psychotherapist/counsellor qualified to Post-Graduate level, I use a therapeutic approach commonly known as Person-Centred which puts you at the centre of your process of change. I use my therapeutic skills to help you to focus on the issues that really matter to you and at a pace you are most comfortable with.

I am fully committed to working alongside you with patience, sensitivity, compassion and respect. I will create a safe, comfortable and confidential space in which I will gently encourage you to openly express yourself, to explore emotional disturbances so that you can find your own solutions and learn to trust your own judgement.

This process of self-exploration can take time depending upon the issues you bring, and I cannot offer any guarantees (no therapist can) in terms of individual outcomes, but I do pledge to work alongside you without judgement or criticism, to support you towards realising the next chapter in your life.

I am an LGBTQI+ affirmative practitioner and have volunteered as a counsellor with the LGBT Foundation in Manchester. Wherever you place yourself on the gender and/or sexuality spectrum, you are most welcome!

I am a qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist having successfully completed the University of Salford BACP accredited Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy – Professional Training programme.

I am a registered member (MBACP) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere fully to the BACP Ethical Framework.

I am a registered member of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) (Reg.: ZA841786). I handle all client information with great care and due diligence and store all records, both in paper and electronic format, securely in strict accordance with GDPR requirements and ICO guidelines.

I have Enhanced Certification with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and I am fully insured as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist through Holistic Insurance Services.

I am also a Certified Online and Telephone Counselling Practitioner (ACTO member Level 1).

Reaching out to a therapist for the first time can be daunting, leaving you feeling anxious at the thought of meeting someone new to talk about deeply personal feelings and life experiences. I fully appreciate and understand this apprehension, especially if you don’t feel quite ready but know that you need professional support to get you through a tough time.

To see if we are a good therapy ‘match’ I offer a free, no obligation 20-minute contact via telephone in order for you to get a greater sense of how I work and an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about what is bringing you to therapy and any outcomes you would like to achieve for yourself.

It is my intention that this will provide you with transparency and the information you need to make an informed choice before starting your therapy and you can take all the time you need to make this important decision. Should you decide that I am the right therapist for you, we can then arrange our first session and go from there.

Of course, if you decide I am not the right therapist for you I will completely respect your decision and help you in any way I can to support you in finding a more suitable therapist for your needs.