Sarah Reilly - Psychotherapist

My approach

is relational and humanistic, which means I am open and authentic in my communication. I share my knowledge of the human condition with clients, how I understand their struggles, and our therapeutic work.  I see counselling and psychotherapy as a process of increasing self-awareness, self-management and personal growth, through the establishment of a safe therapeutic relationship in which difficulties can be explored.

My training is integrative, so I draw on different psychotherapeutic approaches rather than a single one. I see the past as alive in the present, organising our responses, sometimes causing restriction and difficulty.  

Experience

I have nearly 30 years' experience of working with people who are struggling with their metal health, as an advocate and now as a therapist. I also draw on my own past experience of unravelling, having therapy, and becoming a stronger, wiser  person.  

LGBTQ+

I worked as a volunteer counsellor  at ‘London Friend’ (a mental health service for LGBTQ+ people in London) between 2017 and 2022. I now supervise trainee counsellors at London Friend.

Most of my private clients, past and present identify as LGBTQ+. I am familiar with issues related to sexuality and gender, and experienced at supporting people to explore the impact of being and having grown up as LGBTQ+, including the impact of toxic shame. Despite greater social acceptance I am aware that stigma still exists and impacts many of us, and can make other difficulties harder.

 Relationships

I have an open and accepting view of relationships; I regularly work with people who are polyamorous and/or have open relationships, who want an informed counsellor or therapist they do not have to explain their life choices to. Equally, I do not presume that everyone aspires to be in a sexual and/or romantic relationship.

The Body 

I see the mind and body as fully integrated, and regard knowledge of the evolved body as extremely helpful for managing and understanding ourselves and our mental health, particularly anxiety. I offer clients the opportunity to become more aware of emotional processes located in the body, and more able to manage difficult feelings. 

Trauma

I am experienced at working with people with traumatic histories, including sexual abuse and childhood violence, and careful of each individuals pace and therapeutic needs.  Working with physiological responses can help us heal from traumatic experiences; words are not always available or always helpful. I offer a body-based approach to trauma work that can include movement. 

Working with the Imagination

I am alert to creative processes and the imagination. Memories and feelings can be explored through images as well as words, using pictures, photographs, and objects, or simply by paying attention to the casual metaphors and images we chose to express ourselves. This is an interesting and surprising form of self-discovery and is available to everyone.

Neuro-divergence

I have many years' experience of working with people who are neurodivergent, either self-identified or formally diagnosed. I am familiar with the varied ways in which being autistic, ADHD and/or ADD (or having traits) can impact a person, including the difficulty of growing different. I am flexible in my approach, accommodating, welcoming, and appreciative of difference.

Why people commonly come and see me

• Anxiety and/or fearfulness
• Low self-esteem 
• Traumatic and troubling childhood memories
• Sexual abuse
• Impact of violence
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Confusion around sexuality
• Confusion around gender identity 
• Exploring being trans
• Managing relationships, including polyamory and open relationships
• Bereavement and loss
• Unhappiness and frustration
• Feeling stuck and not knowing why
• Feeling numb
• Insomnia
• M.E and auto-immune disorders
• My familiarity with neuro-divergence