Sarah Butler

I am available face-to-face on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s 9am-2pm. I also offer online sessions by appointment. 

I believe that every person is unique, and so is their experience. My approach to counselling is warm, compassionate and collaborative, providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where you can explore whatever has brought you to therapy at a pace that feels right for you.

Building a trusting therapeutic relationship is at the heart of my work. I understand that taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, and my aim is to help you feel comfortable, heard and accepted from our very first session.

I work with adults experiencing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, life transitions and personal growth. However, these are only some of the reasons people seek counselling. Whatever is affecting your emotional wellbeing, we can explore it together in a way that feels supportive and meaningful to you.

My practice is grounded in empathy, respect and authenticity. Rather than offering advice or telling you what to do, I will work alongside you to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your experiences and the changes you would like to make.

I offer both face-to-face counselling in North West England and online counselling across the UK, providing flexibility to suit your individual needs and circumstances.

I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel like a significant step. Whether this is your first experience of therapy or you’ve had counselling before, my aim is to provide a warm, welcoming and confidential space where you feel safe to talk openly, without fear of judgement.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative and centred around you as an individual. I believe that you are the expert in your own life, and my role is not to tell you what to do, but to work alongside you with empathy, curiosity and respect. Together, we can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences, helping you gain greater self-awareness, develop resilience and work towards the changes that feel important to you.

I recognise that every person’s journey is different, so I tailor my approach to meet your individual needs. There is no expectation to share more than you feel comfortable with, and we will work at a pace that feels right for you.

Whether you are struggling with anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, life transitions or something that is difficult to put into words, you will be met with kindness, understanding and acceptance

I understand that attending your first counselling session can feel both exciting and a little daunting. My aim is to help you feel as comfortable and at ease as possible from the moment we meet.

Before we begin our therapeutic work together, I will ask you to complete a client assessment form. This provides important information such as your contact details, GP information, emergency contact, relevant medical history and an overview of the difficulties that have brought you to counselling. As part of the assessment, I may also ask you to complete brief questionnaires, such as the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, to help us gain an initial understanding of how you are feeling. These are simply tools to support our conversations and are not used to define your experiences.

During our first session, we’ll take time to explore what has brought you to counselling, what you hope to gain from therapy and any questions or concerns you may have. I’ll also explain how I work, discuss confidentiality and its limits, and answer any questions about the counselling process so that you feel informed and comfortable moving forward.

The first session is also an opportunity for us to decide whether we feel we are a good fit to work together. Finding a counsellor with whom you feel safe and comfortable is an important part of the therapeutic process, and there is no obligation to continue if you feel another approach or practitioner would better meet your needs.

If we decide to work together, we will agree how we will move forward in a way that best supports your individual needs and goals