My belief is in a multi-skilled approach. I am a qualified psychotherapist, psycho-traumatologist, executive coach, equine-facilitated practitioner, supervisor. I specialise in trauma along with sex and relationship therapy. My approach is tailored for each client.

I'm also trained in NLP, hypnotherapy, EFT tapping & Matrix Reimprinting, EMDR, plus several other trauma treatment protocols.

I’ve always been interested in developing people and in understanding what makes them tick. More and more in my work, I’m seeking to understand not only what drives my clients but what has wounded them in the past. Then we can have a conversation about what might be holding them back, in order to find out how they can move forward more confidently.

So I see myself as a trusted confidante and guide through troubled times. My role is to walk alongside my clients while offering support and sometimes challenge. From my own experience of counselling as a client I have received profound acceptance of who I am and what I need. I believe it’s a genuinely healing experience.

What interests me most…

What’s in a name?

My private practice company is called Ashlar Evolution because it’s a blend of personal growth (evolution) with building blocks (called ashlar in architecture) that give you a solid foundation for a fulfilling life in future.

My signature programme is The Empowerment Elixir. This approach combines the most powerful and effective techniques into a coherent programme for personal transformation. If you’re stuck in life or bogged down by recurring difficulties with patterns that just won’t shift, then this could be just the ticket.

My credentials…

I have practised as a counsellor/psychotherapist for over 20 years, so now I have gained a wealth of experience and knowledge in order to fulfil the accreditation criteria for multiple professional bodies. 

I also hold a clear record, checked by the Disclosure Bureau Service (formerly known as a CRB check).

Please see the section below for my qualifications and professional memberships.

For clients with private health insurance, I am registered with several of the major insurance companies, including Cigna, Healix, Simply Health,  Aetna. So please contact me if you’d like counselling to be funded by your insurer. 

I have worked on behalf of these organisations providing counselling through Occupational Health or through the employee assistance programme (EAP): Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire Brigade.

In my work with serving forces personnel and military veterans, I have provided counselling funded by: Help for Heroes, or Walking With The Wounded as part of their Head Start programme. I was also part of the clinical team for Dare To Live, a veterans’ charity providing equine-facilitated courses for veterans making the sometimes difficult transition to civilian life.

Trauma therapy

Please contact me if you’d like further details on any of these approaches. They work! I see client trauma scores reduce by following this path – by tracking symptom scores along the way.

I have trained in the two evidence-based trauma treatment protocols which are recommended by NICE guidelines (NG 116 published by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence): EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Repocessing) and T- CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). EMDR uses eye movements or alternating body movements to shift trauma memories. TF-CBT  uses written exercises to shift negative thoughts about the trauma.

I also trained in other approaches to treating trauma, because different methods suit different client needs. These include BEPP (Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for Psychotraumatology). My hypnotherapy and NLP qualifications equip me with imagery-based approaches to treating trauma, including IRRT (Imagery Rescripting Reprocessing Therapy) and Matrix Reimprinting. I’m recognised by ITTI (International Trauma Training Institute, formerly IATP) as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional at the higher level (CCTP Level 2) for working with Complex Trauma (C-PTSD).

  • Having already completed EMDR training through Level 1, 2, 3, and 4, I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, another trauma treatment protocol. I have also also completed a professional training in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) also known as “tapping” along with Matrix Reimprinting. These techniques can be powerful in shifting stuck patterns of emotional imagery or troubling memories, to improve relationships and self-confidence.

    I am experienced in working therapeutically with trauma survivors, tailoring the approach to suit each client’s circumstances. My experience of different types of trauma includes:

    childhood sexual abuse,

    rape and sexual assault,

    developmental trauma (childhood emotional neglect or physical abuse, adult children of a narcissistic parent),

    military veterans and serving members of the armed forces (Sarah has provided therapy programmes funded by Walking With The Wounded, Help 4 Heroes, The Dare To Live Trust),

    serving or former members of the emergency services (Sarah has undertaken therapy programmes either privately-funded or through Employee Assistance Programmes including private health insurance schemes for employees of the Metropolitan Police Service, Wiltshire Fire Service, Wiltshire Police, Gloucestershire Police).

    Trauma therapy usually involves imagery rescripting to process intrusive memories such as flashbacks or nightmares, along with cognitive approaches to restructure memories and beliefs: all so that the survivor is better informed and resourced to live with the effect of the trauma, moving towards a future that is more manageable and calmer.

    I was honoured to be invited by one of my former clients to contribute a chapter to his book describing his recovery journey from ritual childhood sexual abuse during his childhood. For a free download of this chapter click here. The book A Small Boy Smiling by Matt Carey is available on Amazon, which narrates his long and courageous journey through recovery towards helping others. However, you might prefer to support him by buying the book through his website www.mattcareybooks.com

My background

The start of my journey towards being a therapist in Malmesbury was benefiting from counselling myself about 20 years ago for the first time. Then I wanted to share the value of what I’d learned, so I could offer to others the kind of interactive support that I found so valuable. After completing a three-year training, I started practising nearly 20 years ago. Since then I’ve been awarded further qualifications and accreditations by a number of therapy associations. So you can be sure you’ll be speaking to someone who’s a qualified professional, committed to working ethically and confidentially.

Before starting this kind of work, my previous career was in advertising as a client account manager for 15 years. I worked for BBDO, a global agency network, in the UK, Europe and USA, for clients including Sainsbury’s in London, E&J Gallo Wineries in San Francisco, then latterly running GE’s corporate campaigns across the EMEA region. So I understand the demands of working in a fast-paced environment in a demanding yet skilful role for a notable company.

Professional memberships:

  • Psychotherapist and supervisor accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): 541524

  • Psychosexual therapist and supervisor (for sex & relationship therapy) accredited by the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapy (COSRT): 2404

  • Advanced Imago relationship therapist

  • Accredited member of the National Council of Psychotherapists (NCIP): 202502.

  • Executive Coach, Member of the Association for Coaching (ACUK)

  • Please do check that any therapist you select is a member of a professional body with a code of ethics and a complaint procedure.

    This is for your protection and to promote better outcomes. I’ve heard horror stories of therapists who fell short, without the clients having clear access to any redress.

    Member of the UK Psychological Trauma Society and European Society for Trauma Stress Studies

    Member of EMDR UK & Ireland

    Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (Level 2 for Complex PTSD) recognised by IATP

    Member of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

    Certified Imago Therapist

    Certified practitioner of Matrix Reimprinting

    Qualifications:

    Ofqual-regulated Level 5 Certificate in Equine-Facilitated Human Development, IFEAL, 2016

    Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy/Learning Practitioner, LEAP, 2015

    Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling, CPPD 2003

    Certificate in Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse, CPPD 2006

    Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Counselling, 2010-2011

    Diploma in Supervision, 2009

    Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2009

    Certified NLP Practitioner, 2008

    Diploma in Life Coaching, 2008

    Diploma in Hypnotherapy, 2008

    Diploma in Organisational Development and Executive Coaching, 2006

    Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma, 1991

    MA in Social and Political Science, University of Cambridge 1993

    BA (Hons) in Social and Political Science, University of Cambridge 1989

    Continuing Professional Development training attended and completed:

    Level 1 training in Brainspotting 2022

    Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy 2021

    Imago Clinical Training 2020-2021

    EFT Level 1 & Level 2 practitioner certified by, EFTMRA, 2019

    Matrix Reimprinting, EFTMRA, 2019

    EMDR Level 1, 2, 3, and 4, EMDR Works, 2019

    Emergency First Aid at Work, MediK, 2019

    Assessment and diagnostics, Phase 1 approaches including STAIR and Alpha-Stim, The Grove, 2018

    CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), The Grove, 2018

    BEPP (Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD), Professor Berthold Gersons, 2018

    Transdiagnostic Approach to Treating Complex Trauma, London Trauma Specialists, 2016

    Introduction to Imago Relationship Therapy, Imago UK, 2014

    Treatment Interventions for people convicted or accused of sexual offending, STOPSO 2014

    Counselling partners/family members of people accused of sexual offending, STOPSO 2014

    Working with Sexualised Trauma, COSRT, 2014

    The Hero’s Journey and the Creative Self, Field & Field, 2013

    Margerison-McCann Team Management System accreditation, TMSDI, 2012

    CBT with Heart, Psychosynthesis Professional Association, 2009

    Private health insurance and legal cases:

    For therapy funded by private health insurance, Sarah is registered with Cigna 133418, and Healix. Sarah has also been instructed by solicitors acting for clients in personal injury claims, and trauma therapy treatment funded by employers to support the client in returning to work. Depending on the circumstances or the severity of symptoms, it can also be helpful to work alongside other medical professionals such as a GP or psychiatrist, for a multi-disciplinary approach to client care.

Speaker events & corporate work

From time to time I’ve been asked to present a seminar or workshop as CPD (Continuous Professional Development) for teams in-house or conference attendees. Client companies have included financial institutions and law firms in particular.

Topics have included:

  • Dealing with difficult or emotional clients,

  • Personality clashes at work,

  • What’s your poison: identifying addiction,

  • The science of stress (physical symptoms and neurology),

  • Building resilience at work.

I love this kind of work, so if you think I might be a good presenter for your team or conference, do get in touch.