Sara Cookland

I am working online, and currently have availability on Tuesdays. 

Hi, I'm Sara, a therapist based in Leeds. I am currently accepting clients for online work. I have over a decade's experience supporting people with their mental health in multiple settings. As a therapist, I have worked in bereavement, mental health and University services. More recently I have worked as a counsellor in a sexual violence charity. 

Prior to working as a therapist, I spent a number of years working within University disability services, supporting disabled students to ensure all aspects of their teaching and learning experience was accessible to them. In this time, I worked extensively with neurodiverse communities and have facilitated social groups for Autistic students. I have also worked as a mentor, working 1:1 with students who have ADHD, and/or long term mental health conditions. 

During this varied experience, I have worked with people from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. I have a passion for working with people from the LGBTQ+ community, and offering a therapeutic space to those who may feel on the margins of society. Within my work, I will work hard to create a space that feels both safe and empowering. 

I am a relational therapist and I work in an integrative way. This means that I use a range of therapeutic theories and models with each client, depending on their unique needs. Working relationally means I am interested in how we relate to the people in our lives and how they relate to us. It may be useful for us to explore past relationships and how they are impacting you today. As a therapist I can work with you to find meaning and make sense of your experiences.

I will have no expectations of you, the space will be dedicated to you, each week, to focus on what feels right. We may initially set some hopes for therapy, but this can evolve over time. 

I have experience working with both short term and long term clients, and in our first session we will discuss what might feel right for you at the moment. I work flexibly and this can evolve throughout our time together. In our first session we will discuss any goals or hopes for therapy, and how many sessions you may need. 

I appreciate choosing the right therapist can feel overwhelming, I have been there myself. If you would like to explore this further, please do get in touch for a free 30 minute conversation.