Sarah Preston

About me and how I work …

Sometimes it is hard to make sense of things by yourself or to gain perspective from talking to friends and family. Taking time to tell your story within a non-judgemental therapeutic relationship can bring clarity, healing and empowerment. It is, I believe, a process that can transform physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Humanistic theory underpins my approach but I work integratively, enabling me to call upon a rich tapestry of therapeutic perspectives, in order to best suit your needs. I work in collaboration with you, at your pace, and offer short, medium and long-term counselling. Over the years I have become increasingly aware of the role that the relationship dynamic can play in unlocking things and I therefore offer a free introductory appointment, either on-line or by telephone, so that you can see how you feel about us working together. 

I work with a wide range of issues including low mood, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, loss, grief, adjustment following stressful life events, health concerns, relationship difficulties and parenting struggles. Sometimes of course the issue might be more a sense of feeling stuck without quite knowing why and it is the process of working through things together that brings relief. At other times it might be a feeling of being held back by coping strategies that no longer feel helpful and it is through increasing your self-knowledge that you are able to find a way forward.

I offer online and in person sessions to adults and young people (aged 18+). I work primarily in comfortable, private rooms in Helmsley but also have access to rooms in York (YO1) and London (SW18) for online clients looking for an opportunity to meet in person on a one-off or ad hoc basis. Fees are £65 for Helmsley and York and £80 for London (up to an hour).

 My qualifications and experience

I have a post-graduate diploma in counselling from York St John University and a Diploma in Professional Development from the Gestalt Centre in London. 

I have attended numerous post-graduate courses since studying for my first degree in the 1980s and continue to draw from this extensive knowledge base including mindfulness-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Transactional Analysis and Anxiety Management Techniques.

I continue to update and develop my knowledge and skills and have, in the last two years, I have attended the Oxford Trauma Conference, completed courses in poly-vagal informed therapy, working with the body and movement, and working with difficult boarding school experiences. I continue to read extensively and I follow various podcasts.

Working in a GP practice in Stockwell, in a low-cost centre in Tooting, and in more recent years in private practice has provided me with a wealth of experience in working with adults and young people in short and long-term counselling. Having worked online during the Covid-19 pandemic, and found that that the flexibility and privacy this offers was welcomed by many clients, I will be continuing to offer this way of working post-pandemic.