Sarah Jennings Counselling
Counselling is a journey we take together. A journey of discovery and healing.
Counselling in Teignmouth & online
Welcome, and thank you for visiting.
I am an experienced integrative counsellor.I am also a warm, empathetic and caring human being. I see counselling as a journey we take together. A journey of self discovery, healing, self compassion and building inner strength.
I have worked in schools for over 30 years supporting staff and students and most recently that has been as a school counsellor in a local grammar school. I have also been involved with a number of charities including a bereavement charity supporting adults and children coping with a loved ones terminal diagnosis or supporting through the grief of the loss of a loved one.
I have worked with many different people who have faced a variety of difficulties. Through their counselling journey with me they have been able to begin to understand themselves better, heal and look towards the future with hope and resilience.
As well as diplomas gained in integrative counselling, working with young people and working with suicide and self harm I have completed research projects on working with grief and loss and working with the inner child. I am curious about the impact of life events on us and I continually want to learn more. I complete at least 12 hours of CPD every month including topics such as working with trauma, anxiety and depression.
My Approach
I aim to provide a calm, safe and comfortable space for you to be able to explore whatever is troubling you. The relationship between us is at the core of this.
As an integrative counsellor and as an adult who has experienced many challenges in my own life I am able to draw on a variety of different ways of working. At the core of this is understanding, empathy and warmth.
We face many challenges and issues in our life, sometimes they are from something in our past and we are blocked, sometimes it can be something in the here and now that we need to learn coping strategies for. Sometimes going back to the past and exploring this through inner child work and healing that wounded child, or exploring the issue such as anxiety as a part and understanding where it came from is useful. Healing that part and building inner strength and beginning to love yourself.
Counselling isn't about giving you solutions or advice but empowering you to make your own changes.
Speak in Confidence
Counselling takes place in a safe space, where you can meet with someone who will listen with sensitivity and empathy - and without judgement. In the therapy space thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely and in confidence.
A problem shared...
Trouble with a relationship; anxiety or panic attacks; mood swings or depression - many people face difficulties in their everyday lives that can be hard to get on top of. Counselling gives us a set of tools we can use to help gain a better understanding of what’s causing these problems - and how you can move towards managing or resolving them.
Make better, healthier new choices
Working together I can help you gain greater insight into the difficulties you are facing, help you understand why you act or react to them the way you do, and see how you can start to make better, heathier choices moving forward.
What issues can counselling help with?
People come to me for help a wide range of issues. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that can be supported through counselling:
Feelings of anxiety or panic
Relationship problems
Grief, loss or bereavement
Trauma
Abuse
Depression
Problems with self-esteem
Problems with family or school life
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange a free initial consultation. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07510 081681 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
My location
I am based Teignmouth and see clients face-to-face from throughout the South Devon Area.
I also offer online sessions via Zoom to people throughout the UK.
Initial Consultation
I believe the therapeutic relationship is at the core of counselling. It is important that you feel safe and comfortable with me. I offer a 30 minute free consultation so that we can get to know each other, discuss what you might like to explore in the sessions and this will give you the chance to decide if you would like us to work together.
Session Information
My sessions last 60 minutes and they are usually weekly, although I am happy to do fortnightly sessions. My sessions cost £50 per session. I do provide a limited number of spaces for those on low income or for students. If you need to cancel an appointment I require 48 hours notice; otherwise you will still need to pay for any sessions missed. I will also give at least 48 hours notice if I need to cancel or rearrange a session and I will inform you of any holidays booked etc. with plenty of notice. I accept payment by bank transfer.
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