Sally Blackmore - Counsellor
I have been practicing for 19 years in various settings including a bereavement charity, schools, a rape crisis centre and voluntary organisations. I have a wealth of experience working with a range of issues for example depression, anxiety, stress, relationship issues, bereavement and loss, emotional eating and eating disorders, self-esteem, life changes and transitions, ADHD and Autism.
My way of working is Humanistic which means I prioritise empathy, understanding and creating a safe space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings. My style is relaxed, friendly and open and my aim is that with a supportive environment and careful listening, you’ll leave your counselling experience with increased self-awareness and be able to make meaningful choices.
I am an Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) www.bacp.co.uk and I work in a way which follows their ethical framework. I regularly attend training to meet BACP recommendations for Continuing Professional Development and to ensure I am able to offer a knowledgeable and professional service to clients.
My journey to becoming a counsellor
I have always been intrigued by the psychology of human beings, how our experiences shape us and how we connect with each other in the world. I find people fascinating and believe that we all have the capacity to make changes and live in a way which makes us feel happy, fulfilled and peaceful.
My own life experiences have certainly played a part in my personal journey to becoming a therapist; the roles I found myself in after completing a degree at university were unsatisfying and after having children and returning to work, I knew I needed a complete change. I was aware that I had a particular skill in building rapport with others and I wanted to do something that allowed me to use this alongside my interest in human beings and psychology.
I firmly believe my own life experiences have each played their part in making me the understanding and compassionate therapist that I am today. Through my own journey I can appreciate the courage that it takes someone to make that first step towards seeking help and making that initial contact with a counsellor. I have experienced first-hand that counselling can help you to make the changes you wish to make and feel more content both in yourself and with your life.
My Qualifications
Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
BACP accredited diploma in Humanistic Counselling based on Transactional Analysis
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (awarded by The Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body – CPCAB)
Level 2/3 Counselling Skills Certificate
Certificate in counselling children and youth (Centre for Child Mental Health)
Certificate in counselling skills for children using the arts (Centre for Child Mental Health)
Extensive bereavement training with Eastleigh Bereavement Service
Trainings I have attended
Eating Disorders Prevention, Detection and Support (B-eat)
Teaching clients to tolerate emotions
Substance misuse as a secondary problem
CBT for Eating Disorders
Working with Self Harm
Working with Autistic clients
Working with Relational Trauma (disorganised attachment)
Online and Telephone Counselling
Couples Therapy – a practical masterclass
Couples Therapy – neurodiversity and relationships
Interventions to thrive with ADHD
