Sandra Ballester

Welcome. I offer a thoughtful and grounded space for you to explore your challenges and move toward meaningful change. My work is structured on a weekly-slot basis, and this rhythm of regular, confidential meetings provides the foundation for safe reflection and growth. It is often helpful to think about factors which may be outside of normal awareness which may be affecting your thoughts and feelings about problems. Childhood experiences may have an impact, and so might cultural and social environments. 

Your individual sense of meaning, purpose and values are also important to our work. Central to everything is the therapeutic relationship that we build together. I will listen to you carefully, to really hear and understand your concerns. Your life experience is unique, and I will not make assumptions about you or about what I think you are going through. It is essential that you feel fully understood and empathised with. In your story I also seek to hear what it is not being said explicitly, to bring out that which you may be experiencing but are so far unable to put into words. The most difficult times of our lives can sometimes become the most fruitful, if we can integrate our experiences, thoughts and feelings in an empowering way. We often need the help of another person to accomplish this, and it is this which I hope to help you with. 

People typically come to me with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, bereavement, work problems, stress, family difficulties, abuse and loneliness. They may also come with a sense of emptiness that is difficult to define, spiritual dilemmas or a search for meaning. My approach is a mix of psychodynamic and transpersonal. My preference is for long term work, however I occasionally do short term and time-limited work too. 

As well as being a psychotherapist, I am also an autogenic therapist (for stress management) with the British Autogenic Society (BAS) and a UKCP clinical supervisor. I have been in private practice since 2002 helping a wide range of people. I work in person and online. I abide by the ethical and professional guidelines of the UKCP, BACP and BAS and have regular supervision. All our sessions are strictly confidential, and my supervisor has no access to your personal details. Your data is kept secure according to GDPR regulations.