SARAH OYETUNDE
I am an experienced counsellor, based in Brighton, who has worked with a wide variety of people and issues. I am BACP-registered, and have been in private practice for 16 years. I am also a qualified art therapist, and an experienced therapeutic group facilitator and counselling supervisor.
As a Person Centred counsellor I believe everyone can grow and change. What counselling with me offers is a space to explore the places we get stuck. I am happy to work with whatever issues you wish to bring.
It’s difficult to define what happens in therapy, as its different for each person. However, for me, the things that seem present and relevant when counselling is working well are a sense of trust and connection, and the deepening relationship between the client and the therapist.
As a therapist, I’m myself. I don’t put on a special ‘counsellor hat’ as I enter the therapy room. Whilst I leave my own issues and judgements at the door, I bring my personality, warmth, openness, honesty and experience with me.
I believe that the relationship that grows between therapist and client is one that can offer something that is honest, nurturing and restorative. This may be something that we have longed for but rarely experience elsewhere.
Alongside my counselling work in private practice, I have 25+ years professional experience of supporting people with their well-being and mental health. This has included facilitating group therapy in psychiatric hospitals, working with ex-offenders with mental health problems in the community, counselling neuro-divergent people, supporting those who have survived or been impacted by suicide, and working on an international online mental health and well-being platform.
I believe that my role in your journey is to be present and alongside you. I am there to offer a safe and open-hearted space where you can feel free to explore and share whatever brings you to therapy. As we work together, a unique relationship develops and deepens.
Whilst I can never truly know your experience, I will try to come as close to this as possible, whilst being alongside you with honesty and openness. This means that I check things with you, ask you open questions and share how I imagine things may be for you. I want to understand, and will let you know when I am and when I’m not.
If you find it useful, I can incorporate other elements into our sessions, including the use of art materials, embodied chair-work to help you explore different “parts” of yourself, and focussing: helping you pay attention to your bodily felt sense of an issue.
I start each session with “This is your time” as a gentle reminder that the space is for you.
MY LOCATION:
I work face-to-face in Patcham (Brighton BN1). I also work online and on the phone.
MY FEES:
My fees are £50-70 per 50 minute session.
