Sally Parkins

I have availability on Tuesdays from 10th February 2026

I can offer a free online 20 minute session to get to know each other and see if we are a good fit.

I am a Relational Integrative Counsellor offering a friendly, safe, confidential space to support the client with compassion and understanding, without judgement.

I am experienced working with children from age 10+ currently working as a volunteer with Tor Support Services, Okehampton College. I also have experience working with adults through the Margaret Jackson Centre, Exeter.

I use John Bowlby's attachment theory as a framework to explore relationships between people. I work creatively if that is what the client wishes, being client led and relational in my work. Using Sandtray, artwork, mask making. I'm influenced by Carl Jung, exploring the unconscious and shadow work. Richard Shwartz Parts work and I use puppets and Russian dolls to explore. This is particularly useful when people struggle with communication and finding meaning.

I have experience working with Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Bereavement, Relationship Problems, Overwhelm, Trauma, Difficulties at School. Autism, ADHD, DLD, LGBTQ+, Identity, Isolation and Loneliness. To name just a few.

Since 2012 I worked in a secondary school as a teaching Assistant, training using Art in Therapy to support students in 1:1 sessions and at break and lunchtime. I was seconded to Devon County Council, Communication and Interaction team in 2021 where I gained more knowledge and Experience supporting children with neurodiversity and speech and language difficulties. At least 2 children in a class of 30 have undiagnosed Developmental Language Disorder which creates immense difficulties for them in the classroom and at home. A stressed child cannot learn, damaging their future potential and in the worst cases, it can lead to Emotional Based School Avoidance, self harm and suicide Ideation.

I use my knowledge of neurodiversity and Language difficulties and can be psychoeducational to support my clients. I need to be creative in my approach to support clients who struggle with language and expressing themselves emotionally. 

I am going to be offering private sessions for my clients from February 2026 on Tuesdays . I will be operating out of Castle Ham Lodge, Castle Lane, Okehampton or the Ockment Centre initially. Hoping to expand my practice to offer client spaces in Exeter later in the year.

I will offer weekly 60 min face to face sessions for private clients aged 10+ and adults. I will offer the client the same time each week. 

I ask for the client to inform me if they cannot attend a session ASAP. My baseline is to have at least 24 hour notice, otherwise I will need to charge the client for the session missed. 

There is no time limit to the number of sessions offered. Although I will undertake to conduct a review after 8 weeks to ensure the client feels the focus or direction needs to be different and I can continue to offer counselling support.

I will ask my client to sign a contract at the beginning of our sessions which outlines the terms of the counselling service. This includes information on Data Protection and the safe, locked storage of personal information. Session notes are anonymised, a unique reference number allocated and are stored away from client details. 

The boundaries and limitations around confidentiality when a client or another person is in imminent danger if I were not to share information and safeguarding them is appropriate. 

I will use Supervision and discuss my client. My supervisor is there to ensure the safety of me and my client and to monitor and challenge to ensure I am offering the best possible counselling I can.

I also work for Tor Support Services, a charity which is attached to Okehampton College and serves the local community up to age 25. I gain significantly from being linked to this organisation which helps me keep up to date with training and group supervision.

I work in accordance with the BACP guidance to ensure the client receives the best from me that they can. 

My first session I would like to use an assessment sheet, which I find helpful in understanding the concerns for the client, what has brought them to therapy. 

I will draw a genogram as it is also useful to get an idea of who the client has around them, if they have a support network.

I will use this session to assess if the client is in immediate risk or if there is a cause for concern about imminent danger to another person. Counselling is confidential and the place to discuss things that are not possible to talk to other people about. Including suicide and self harm. 

I do offer a free online 20 minute assessment to help the client get to know me and decide if they want to continue with an in person session.

I do charge for any of my full hour face to face sessions.

I can offer a limited number of concessionary fees assessed on individual circumstances. This can be if you are on a low wage, not just if you are in receipt of benefits. Please feel free to ask me if I can accommodate this.