Sharon Lake

I offer sessions in person in the Queens Park area of Brighton. The room is accessed via stairs. 

I also work online via Microsoft Teams. 

I have flexible availability on a Monday and Friday.  

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 aspects of 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 unlock the skills, tools and knowledge you already have. I believe in you, even when you might not believe in yourself.

I offer a peaceful, compassionate space where you can explore life events and experiences which may have left you feeling vulnerable, disempowered or confused. 

Together we can think through patterns 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 continued professional development:

Certificate in CRUSE Bereavement Care

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

Working with Sexual Trauma 

The Challenge of Racism in Therapeutic Practice

Certificate in Post Adoption Counselling 

SANDS - Training for Counsellors and Therapist working miscarriage and pregnancy loss

I have over 20 years experience of working across a range of social care settings. My work has enabled me to develop skills to listen and sensitively share information people often find painful. I am comfortable sitting with big feelings and powerful emotions. I have empathy with others seeking to find meaning from events that are significant in their lives.   

I draw on a range of theoretical perspectives, including attachment theory and systemic approaches, to help us make sense of different relationships, life roles and events. 

My counselling practice is informed by phenomenological theory. This means I take into account how your individual lived experience 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 using she / her pronouns. I hold awareness of how different aspects of my own identity intersect to inform my world view and lived experience. 

I approach my journey through the world with cultural humility and an openness to every interaction being an opportunity to learn.

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

I am happy to answer any questions via email or in a free 20 minute phone call before our initial meeting. Please include a contact telephone number and availability for this call in the coming week. 

I encourage enquirers to speak to a range of potential counsellors to explore the 'chemistry' before booking a first session. 

Should we decide to go forward our first full 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 paid session.     

Following our first session I will again encourage you to sit with your feelings before we both to make decisions about whether working together feels right for us.