Welcome to
Sarah Nicholson Psychotherapy
I am committed to providing Psychotherapy and Counselling in a safe, confidential, supportive, non-judgemental and non-threatening environment.
My aim is to help you to make sense of your experiences, how you are in relationships and in the world...
I aim to help you to understand your emotions, thoughts, behaviours, and gain a sense of what might be happening in your body. I work proactively and collaboratively with you in the hope that we can resolve issues and co-create change.
I run a private practice offering Individual Psychotherapy to individuals suffering with a range of issues. I offer Post-Cult Counselling (PCC), which is a unique and specialist therapeutic treatment for survivors or former members of cults, spiritual abuse, and other high control situations such as radicalisation, psychopathic partner abuse, coercive control etc.
Finding the right therapist and type of therapy is paramount. I offer an initial consultation appointment without obligation. If you are interested in having Psychotherapy, Counselling, or simply wish to find out more, please get in touch.
About Me
I am a UKCP registered and accredited Integrative Psychotherapist. UKCP accreditation means that a Psychotherapist meets the exacting standards and training requirements which are the conditions of becoming a member of the UKCP. I adhere to the ethical framework and professional conduct procedures of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
I hold a Masters Degree in Integrative Psychotherapy: A Relational Developmental Approach. I trained at The Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute where I am currently a member. I have extensive experience working with both private and NHS clients.
Within the NHS I work as a Specialist Psychotherapist in the Neurology Psychotherapy Team. My experience in this role has allowed me to develop a specialist way of working with individuals who have developed physical symptoms that the medical model has not been able to resolve. If a disease of the body has not been found as a way to understand the symptoms, sometimes there is a psychological explanation. Physical symptoms and changes in the behaviour of the body can be distressing, difficult for that person to manage, and are often extremely disabling.
The majority of my work and experience has been with trauma sufferers and survivors. My model of Integrative Psychotherapy is relational, interactive, experiential and dynamic. I regularly update my skills with continued professional development.
I offer short, medium and longer term therapy. Number and length of sessions will be tailored to suit individual requirements. The majority of my work is done from my clinic in Retford or Sheffield via video link using Microsoft Teams, Skype or Zoom. This allows me to work with clients across the UK and internationally. I offer telephone appointments and a limited number of face-to-face sessions in the Retford, Sheffield, Chesterfield and Doncaster area.
Psychotherapy
I offer relational developmental psychotherapy and integrative psychotherapy to individuals coping with a range of issues. Including but not limited to:
- Abuse and coping with the effects of abuse
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Bullying
- Childhood problems
- Depression
- Developmental difficulties
- Difficulty with confidence and self esteem
- Difficult relationship with food
- Dissociation and Dissociative conditions
- Domestic Violence
- Emotional disconnection, difficulty or distress
- Employment difficulties
- Fatigue
- Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Functional Illness, Functional Symptoms/Non-Organic Symptoms/Medically Unexplained Symptoms; including movement disorders, sensory disturbance, dizziness,difficulties with concentration, memory and/or fatigue.
- Functional Seizures, Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD), Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES), Psychogenic Seizures, Dissociative Attacks/Dissociative Seizures.
- Identity problems
- Mental health issues
- Obsessive behaviour
- Pain and/or fatigue (including fibromyalgia and ME)
- Panic and Phobia
- Relationship problems - with self and/or with others
- Difficulty making or sustaining relationships, or repeatedly becoming involved in unsatisfying or destructive relationships
- Sexual problems
- Stress, Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
My model of integrative psychotherapy is designed to help with working through childhood issues in order to be fully available for current relationships. I have a particular interest in working to resolve early relational childhood trauma and long standing issues.
Post-Cult Counselling
I specialise in offering Post-Cult Counselling (PCC), which is a unique therapeutic treatment for former cult members and survivors of undue influence, including former members of:
- Abusive groups and relationships
- High-demand groups and relationships (including families)
- Coercive controlling groups and relationships
- Cults
- One-on-one cults or relationships
- Abusive New Religious Movements
- Spiritually abusive groups and relationships
It addresses key areas and issues that are often encountered as a result of involvement in a high control group or relationship. PCC aims to facilitate thinking and raise awareness and understanding of your experience. It is a relational psycho-educational approach to recovery. It aims to aid the understanding of thought reform (or mind control). It helps with identifying the cult pseudo-personality (who you had to be to belong) and unmasking the cult leader. Other useful components include working with and managing trauma (including grounding and regulation); and managing boundaries in relationships.
Whilst undertaking my MA in Integrative Psychotherapy I studied this specialist area through a research dissertation. I continue to study this area in the professional field as well as in my clinical practice. This model of counselling is informed by Dr Gillie Jenkinson’s masters and doctoral research. I have completed the Certificate in Post-Cult Counselling (first cohort) which is Gillie’s specialist training (Hope Valley Counselling). Dr Gillie Jenkinson is my clinical supervisor for this area of work.
Persistent Physical Symptoms
Sometimes we develop physical symptoms that we can’t always explain. These symptoms or bodily changes can be a result of trauma.
Somebody experiencing these difficulties could be told that they have a ‘Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)’, are experiencing 'Functional Illness' or 'Functional Symptoms'. 'Functional Seizures' are also a type of functional neurological symptom. They can also be referred to as 'Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES)', Psychogenic Seizures' or 'Dissociative Attacks'. You could be told that you have ‘Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD)’. These types of attacks can resemble epileptic seizures but are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. An individual may faint, black out, collapse or lose consciousness, with or without shaking. The term 'functional' just means that the body is not functioning as smoothly as we might hope for.
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can also include movement disorders, sensory disturbance, dizziness, difficulties with concentration, memory and fatigue. As well as being called ‘functional symptoms’ they can also be referred to as ‘non-organic’ or ‘medically unexplained’.
Those who experience difficulties with movement may find it challenging to keep to a usual pace. It may be a particular part of the body that is more difficult to move. It may be a problem with extra movements such as tremor, twitches or tic.
Individuals who have sensory difficulties may experience a loss of sensation such as numbness, or extra sensations such as pins and needles, pain, or environmental sensory overload such as struggling with the brightness of lights or level of noise. Symptoms like these can come and go with different levels of severity and last for different lengths of time.
Somebody struggling with concentration may experience an inability to perform daily tasks, restlessness, making careless mistakes, brain fog and difficulty with decision making. This in turn can have a bearing on memory and lead to a lack of energy or a more intense fatigue.
Psychotherapy can help to create a better understanding of what might be happening in your body. Together we can look at how you might manage symptoms, reduce and/or resolve them. We will consider the link between our bodies and our emotional world as part of this process as the two are inextricably linked.
Fees & Client Agreement
Following an initial consultation, if we decide to work together, we will agree to a contract of working. This contract/client agreement will outline details such as: fees and payment details; frequency of sessions and cancellation policy; confidentiality; data protection and retention; complaints procedure; conflicts of interest etc.
Disclaimer: Whilst the aim of psychotherapy and counselling is to support individuals with their physical health and emotional wellbeing, everyone’s experience is different. It is important to recognise that I cannot guarantee the outcome of the treatment offered.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how psychotherapy works, or to arrange an initial consultation. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to therapy, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07528824656 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.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services. You can read my Privacy & Data Protection policy here.
Additional Information
Current Enhanced DBS check: A Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) is a process that is crucially important for safety. It is a background check on an individual to assess whether they are eligible to work with vulnerable people such as children or vulnerable adults. You can find out more about the Disclosure and Barring Service at www.gov.uk.
What my clients say...
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