Sarah Wood

My practice is relational and person-centred, a steady, safe place to explore what matters to you. We will follow your direction - maybe it’s a practical concern which needs sorting now - such as a relationship or work problem, or an event in the past such as a loss or bereavement. You may have low self-esteem, be feeling anxious or depressed – or simply want to get more out of your life, to work out a clear direction you’d like to go.  I meet regularly with a supervisor to make sure that my work is ethical and effective, but our discussions will not identify you.

From a recent client :

'I really appreciated this chance to explore the things that have been coming up for me in my life. It was a very safe and supportive space where I felt I could talk about anything that was on my mind. I was quite nervous about coming to you, and was very reassured by the way you took this in your stride. You helped me to explore and understand this anxiety better, while demonstrating clearly that I would not be 'diagnosed' or judged.'

My background? From landscape design and gardening, I changed direction, and have since worked in more socially-oriented areas.  I have extensive experience in team management and group work and trained and worked as a mediator. Having run a small business for over 20 years, and in my current role as part-time organiser of a local charity, I have a good grasp of issues facing people in work and business. Part of my counselling training focussed on domestic violence and parenting problems and I also draw on my experience in Citizens Advice when working with clients, as many people encounter difficulties in areas such as  bureaucracy, housing, debt and discrimination in their daily lives. 

Having completed an MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention at the University of Oxford in 2009 – my thesis looked at the effectiveness of mentoring for young people with behaviour difficulties, I am currently involved in research on the prevention of alcohol abuse in young people. Mindfulness meditation and practice inform all areas of my work and I run trainings in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy with my colleagues in counsellingoxford.

Fee per 50 minute session: £35;  lower cost sessions are occasionally available.

Contact: sarah_wood777@yahoo.co.uk. Tel: 07717 038903.

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