I work from a soulful (transpersonal) perspective which means I consider what meaning we might make of the difficulties we face as well as looking to understand what events and patterns might have created those difficulties.
My integrative training means I draw on multiple therapeutic approaches so that I can adapt to your needs.
I work from a soulful (transpersonal) perspective which means I consider what meaning we might make of the difficulties we face as well as looking to understand what events and patterns might have created those difficulties.
My integrative training means I draw on multiple therapeutic approaches so that I can adapt to your needs.
I work from a soulful (transpersonal) perspective which means I consider what meaning we might make of the difficulties we face as well as looking to understand what events and patterns might have created those difficulties.
My integrative training means I draw on multiple therapeutic approaches so that I can adapt to your needs.
Sarah Sutcliffe
You may be finding life challenging, or have reached a point in your life where you feel stuck or want to understand why you feel, behave or react in the way you do. You may be navigating a life transition. Or you may simply be reaching for something you don’t yet understand.
I work in a creative and flexible way, really listening to your unique needs and determining what works for you. I draw on multiple therapeutic approaches and take a soulful and imaginative approach, considering what meaning we might make of the difficulties we face as well as looking to understand what events and patterns might have created those difficulties.
I have a practice in Swain’s Lane, Highgate N6 and near London Bridge SE1. I also work online.
Therapy, Counselling and Coaching
Therapy can offer a space to reflect, to work out connections, to be seen and heard in a new way.
It can be a lifeline, a moment of stillness, it can be challenging and painful, it can illuminate surprising things, it can be creative and dynamic. It can both help us to accept ourselves, and enable us to find different ways of being in the world.
I find that clients often turn to therapy when their usual coping strategies are no longer working well for them. We live in a culture that prioritises rational thinking, but we cannot always rationalise our way out of a crisis, and this can be frightening or confusing. I work intuitively with whatever you bring, listening carefully and through curiosity and non-judgement help you to expand your understanding and experience of yourself. I pay particular attention to our embodied experience – sensations, feelings and emotions as well as thoughts. Our whole body is speaking to us if we learn to listen. Through a better understanding you can experience yourself more completely and feel more whole and more able to live your life fully without being hijacked by unconscious reactions and behaviours.
Our work together will support immediate challenges as well as looking to understand the ways in which the past may affect your present, and to enquire into what you might wish for moving forwards. It is often empowering to connect with, express and develop a language for emotional difficulty and to move towards a deeper understanding of yourself. Growing awareness can bring clarity, meaning and positive change.
'Listen closely, for the soul often speaks in a whisper, easily drowned out in the business of daily life' ~ Jill Mellick
Alongside my therapeutic work I am a creative with a background in performance, storytelling and film making. I have a particular interest and knowledge about stories and myths, and the use of the voice.
I believe that all humans are creative and that using and unlocking our creativity can be a powerful part of the therapeutic process. When a client brings material or is interested, I work with artwork, voice, dreams and the body. I also work with stories and myth as guides or maps into the subconscious and with the voice as a powerful tool to understand, to regulate, and to unblock ourselves. Working creatively with our hearts can lead us to new understanding and a sense of personal power, and to find our voice in a new way. This way of working often suits those in the creative industries but can be surprisingly powerful for everyone.
For me the arts speak in metaphor and metaphor is the language of soul. Art moves beyond the rational and dips into the unconscious, and this often reveals something to us that might otherwise have remained hidden. Sometimes if we feel lost, stuck or caught in a pattern or when our usual coping strategies feel redundant, we can listen in different ways - to the stories we tell ourselves, to images, dreams, to traditional stories and myths, to music, song, sound or movement.
I hold a BACP and UKCP accredited diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling and am a member of the BACP accrediting body.
In line with BACP ethics, all my work is confidentially supervised.
I trained at Re-Vision, London in integrative transpersonal counselling.
I am also IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed and often use this model in my work.
I work with clients on many different issues and from all different walks of life. I have a special interest in major life transitions, particularly menopause and midlife, parenthood, loss, grief and bereavement and relationship issues. I am interested in using and unlocking creative potential, and what creativity can bring to therapy. I also have an interest in working with clients with HIV and other long term health conditions or challenges. I work with underrepresented groups and take an intersectional and systemic approach; our experience of the world is profoundly affected by power and privilege so factors such as race and how we are racialised, our culture, sex, sexuality, gender, gender identity, socio-economic background, neuro diversity, physical wellbeing and many other factors all shape our identity and experience – who we are and how we feel.
I welcome adults (18+) of all ages to my practise and aim to create an affirmative, inclusive and safe space for all. If you are unsure if I will be a good fit for you, please get in touch.
'There is a voice that doesn’t use words. Listen!' ~ Rumi
Therapy, Counselling or Coaching
Counselling tends to refer to a short course of sessions possibly focusing on a single issue.
Therapy describes longer term work where we would explore aspects of yourself on a deeper level, addressing past traumas and mental health issues. Coaching focusses on present and future goals to help achieve specific outcomes and enhance performance. It tends to be more action-oriented and goal focused.
Executive coaching
Some people choose coaching rather than therapy to suit their needs or time frame.
I take a similar soulful approach with coaching as with my therapy practice. I work in an embodied and creative way to explore what really matters to you and what is holding you back. I have worked with many senior leaders in the corporate sector with companies such as Unilever, AirBus, Rabo bank, Google and McKinsey.
Initial call
I offer a free 15 minute initial call to answer any questions you might have.
First meeting
Our first meeting is an assessment session for us to explore together the reasons you have come and what you would like to get out of it. It is really important that we both feel we are a good fit to work together before committing further.
Weekly sessions
If we are both happy to proceed, we would have a weekly session at an agreed time and day. I would usually suggest an initial six sessions after which we can work to an agreed number of sessions or in an open-ended way. (Coaching might take a different format with longer sessions more spaced apart)
Fees
Please contact me for my fees.
I have a practice in Swain’s Lane, Highgate N6 and near London Bridge SE1. I also work online.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or are interested in arranging an initial call or a first session.
I also work with groups co-facilitating workshops and retreats on menopause, forest retreats for women, and group work on life transitions. These group processes can be powerful, rewarding and enriching. Have a look at my workshops page for more information, or visit www.timeoutfortransitions.com
Look forward to hearing from you, Sarah (she/ her)
07984 880840