Sophie is a fully qualified, experienced counsellor and a registered member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) and works with individuals and couples over 18.

Sophie has a background in working with individuals experiencing mental health issues and in particular, their affected family members.   This also involves working with people with caring roles for relatives with other life changing conditions such as autism, learning disabilities and substance abuse issues. Meeting the demands and needs of others can impact emotional and physical wellbeing, ability to cope day to day and have an impact on relationships.  She also has experience in working with bereaved clients as well as those struggling with relationship issues, loss, stress, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, ADHD, addictions, family dynamics, identity issues and trauma.

Sophie trained in person-centred counselling and believes that this approach in creating an empathic, non-judgemental and open space to explore issues can be an effective and validating experience. Sophie also has training in DBT (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy) which is a skills based therapy and has found that this combination can be useful in helping individual clients and couples to move forward. One of the founding principles of DBT is that both acceptance and change are equally needed to help clients live a fulfilling life long-term. Dialectical strategies give the therapist a means to balance acceptance and change in each session and serve to prevent both therapist and client from becoming stuck in the rigid thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that can occur when emotions run high, as they often do in difficult times.

This approach can be equally helpful in couples therapy and Sophie aims to help couples work through their presenting issues to reach their desired outcome. Developing more understanding for each other as well as learning more effective communication strategies, improving emotional regulation and having the time and space to give the relationship the attention it needs, can all make for happier, healthier relationships.

Experience has taught Sophie that therapy should be a highly personalised, collaborative, authentic and rewarding experience. Sophie aims to work with each client as they make subtle changes in their thoughts and actions in order to reshape their experience. Having positive expectations for her clients in this way in the work we do together promotes growth and personal development.

Sophie has also delivered training to both family members and professionals to help them understand and live with their loved ones mental health condition, including specific training on personality disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, addictions, anxiety, bipolar and more.

Qualifications & Experience

BA (Hons) in Counselling – University of Sunderland

Foundation Degree in Counselling – Tyne Metropolitan College

Skills Training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy – British Isles DBT Training

Certificate in Working with Couples – Jesmond Therapy Centre

Awareness in Bereavement Counselling

Shame

Working with Trauma

Borderline Personality Disorder

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Eating Disorders

Understanding Autism

Suicide Awareness