Encompass Counselling

About Sandra

Hello, I'm Sandra. I am a qualified Integrative, Humanistic Counsellor and a Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Practitioners and I have accredited status with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. I have also trained as a Family Counsellor at the Institute for Family Therapy in London. My private counselling is based at Unit 12 in Winchester, Hampshire, where I work alongside a group of other qualified counsellors. I also give online or telephone counselling to those who would either prefer this or find this more convenient. My aim is to enable growth and understanding in a warm, supportive environment by encouraging a deeply trusting relationship between the client and myself.

As well as having experience in private practice, I have counselling experience of working for organisations which support adults. I also have experience of working as a counsellor for charities supporting young people as well as in schools and colleges, providing counselling for young people from the ages of 6 - 25. I have worked for over two years with the organisation 'No Limits' in Southampton and also with 'Off The Record' based in Havant, for whom I have provide professional counselling for children, young people and also for families. I currently work for the EAP organisation Health Assured.

Before my career in counselling, I gained a PGCE and had experience of teaching adults, as well as many years of experience in teaching children and young people in both Primary and Secondary schools. Within counselling I enjoy enabling others to understand themselves better and I am therefore happy to work with an integrative, creative and flexible approach.

Further details of my counselling work with Adults, Families and also with Children and Young People can be accessed through navigating the heading links at the top of the website page.

My approach to Counselling

I am an integrative counsellor and my counselling style is heavily influenced by Person-Centred values, encompassing a deeply empathic, genuine and non-judgemental connection with clients. By beginning to understand and value personal thoughts and self concepts, clients develop a positive sense of being. Clients become increasingly able to gain a greater sense of clarity in their lives and can move forward with more freedom in their thoughts.

Family Counselling

In addition to my counselling training, I have also completed a course of study at The Institute of Family Therapy in London and have developed wide ranging knowledge and experience of working with families (or groups from within a family) who wish to attend sessions together for group counselling. These sessions are more systemic in approach, allowing the exploration of structure and relationships, in order to strengthen family bonds. Systemic counselling work gives useful insight in many areas of counselling, both within Family Counselling as well as in work with individuals.

An Ethical and Professional Service

As a member of the British Association of Counselling I work in line with the Ethical Code of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Personal information is therefore handled within the strict rules of confidentiality and set within BACP boundaries. Non-judgemental values are a key part of my counselling with all aspects of the Equality Act of 2010, particularly in embracing diversity and disability, being incorporated as an integral strength in my work. I am fully DBS checked with up-to-date certification.