Sarah Holyoake
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m an Integrative counsellor and coach, with many years of experience in mental health work across the NHS and the Education sector. I have worked with addiction, anxiety, bereavement, bipolar, depression, EUPD, loneliness, loss, OCD, (c-)PTSD, self-harm/ suicidal ideation, stress, trauma, and more.
I work intuitively and care about understanding your perspective. I see everyone as an individual with their own identity — exploring your unique culture, race, gender, and life experience. I will give you a space to slow down, escape from external pressures and sit with uncertainty.
Perhaps you’ve always felt different. Maybe you are questioning your identity, sexuality, or way of living. You may have low self-worth because of past rejection, shame or abuse. Maybe you have unhealthy coping mechanisms that you want to change.
I am passionate about helping you find the part of you you’ve been hiding or are ashamed of, and enabling you to acknowledge, embrace, and heal it. I know how important a comfortable working relationship is in helping you to be yourself and be vulnerable.
I am open-minded, with a particular interest in relationship and psychosexual issues. My practice is allied with the queer and trans+ community, and is sex/ kink positive, LGBTQIA+, sex Worker, and ENM-friendly. I enjoy supporting people with compulsive sexual behaviours, gender identity issues, kink, neurodiversity, sexuality, sex/intimacy, stigma and taboos.
My integrative approach means I draw from different models to meet your needs and personality and adapt creatively to your needs.
Starting from a person-centred, humanistic core, I combine elements of CBT skills such as thought challenging, journaling, and relaxation for practical change, psychodynamic skills to explore your past, and existentialism to explore meaning. Gestalt brings in what is happening for you in the moment; Transactional analysis for relationship issues; Acceptance and commitment therapy for values and actions. I include coaching to provide a personalised, tailored approach when I think it may help you, but I will always discuss this with you first
I understand that well-being encompasses biological, psychological, physical and social factors, so I work holistically to help clients discover their purpose, and underlying emotions. I treat your mind and body by including grounding techniques, mindfulness/meditation, diet/nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and psychoeducation, where I feel these may be helpful.
I take a gentle, non-directive approach, however if I feel you will benefit from being challenged, I will do so with kindness and empathy. I will never leave you in silence for long (unless you need me to!) and will ensure therapy is a warm, safe, enjoyable and empowering place for you.
