Sarah Bishop

Please note that after school sessions are limited and it is sometimes necessary to schedule sessions during school hours. Most schools are willing to accommodate this. 

I am a warm, friendly and creative (MBACP) (MNCPS Accred.) counsellor specialising in working with children and young people aged 9 to 25. I will also consider working with younger children and adults if appropriate.

Adolescence can be a challenging time for young people and their families. Difficulties at school or university, worries about the future, exam pressure, peer and family dynamics, bereavement and divorce, (among other issues) can be difficult to negotiate. Such issues can cause anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, compulsive behaviours, mood swings, and coping mechanisms such as self-harm that parents and young people can find confusing and frightening.

I offer young people a relaxed, confidential space to explore their concerns, respecting their need for autonomy, so that they can better understand their emotional responses, negotiate challenges, and find ways to communicate, in order to help build confidence, self-esteem, resilience, problem solving skills and a general sense of well-being

I understand that choosing a counsellor for a child or young person you are worried about can be a daunting task. Please visit my website to find out more information about who I am and what I offer to help you make a decision that works for you and your family. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me.

I am trained as a pluralistic counsellor incorporating humanistic, psychodynamic and CBT models into my work. This enables me to offer bespoke ways of helping young people dependent upon their needs and preferences. I offer a variety of creative and symbolic resources alongside talking therapy, that clients can engage with, e.g. art, drawing, clay-modelling, collage, games, sand tray etc.

I work collaboratively with clients, respecting their need for autonomy and recognition, to help them reach their goals for therapy. 

I have worked with children and young people for over 35 years in different capacities: as a higher level teaching assistant, special needs teaching assistant, youth worker in holiday clubs, primary and nursery school teacher and as both a primary and secondary school counsellor with Place2Be.

The counselling takes place in a comfortable room in my home on weekdays between 9am and 7pm.  I will also consider providing online therapy for older children if appropriate.

Before committing to anything we can have a chat on the phone to find out what issues the young person is struggling with and to see if I might be the right person to help. Please email me to arrange a convenient time.

​INITIAL SESSION:

The initial session is a chance for me to help the young person relax, feel comfortable and share what is going on for them. I will explain how I work and what to expect and they can ask me any questions they might have. I will then ask them what has brought them to counselling. If they are uncomfortable talking directly with me we may play some games or do some creative activities to help them feel safer and more relaxed. Every child communicates differently and I will endeavour to find out what works best for each client.  We can then decide if it might be helpful to continue sessions.

FURTHER SESSIONS:

Sessions are usually weekly on the same day and at the same time. The duration depends on each individual’s needs. It can take time to build a trusting relationship and for young people to feel comfortable opening up. I usually recommend at least 10 to 15 sessions, reviewing this once the work has started. However, we may agree to open ended sessions, or fewer sessions. Although I do recommend that endings are planned you are under no obligation to continue sessions.

Sessions are self funded. 

Initial telephone consultation: Free. 

Initial session: £40. 

Further sessions £60. 

I offer a discounted rate of £55 per session for sessions paid up-front in blocks of 5.