Sarah BoltonCounselling and Psychotherapy in Southwark, South London

I am a UKCP registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist and BACP registered counsellor in Waterloo /Southwark, South London. I have been working in private practice for ten years and have also worked in a variety of public and private settings.

I have ten years post qualification experience as a psychodynamic counsellor and five years post qualification experience as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and am therefore able to take on counsellors and psychotherapists in training.

PLEASE NOTE: My practice is currently full (September 2023) and I am therefore not able to take on any new patients at this time. If you would like to join my waiting list, please get in touch.

I offer counselling and psychotherapy in Waterloo, (Borough of Lambeth), South London and have my consulting room in Union Street, very near Southwark Underground Station. I offer psychotherapy to adult individuals on an open-ended basis or, if necessary, for shorter term work and am able to see people from once to four times per week. I am registered with AXA PPP Healthcare, Vitality Health, WPA & Aviva insurance companies. I offer face to face sessions and as we are no longer in a lock down, I do not offer online sessions.

Counselling and psychotherapy provide a safe, personal space to explore irrational or self defeating patterns at the root of ongoing unhappiness. They require a willingness to invest in the time needed for in depth understanding and a commitment to change through the process of the therapeutic relationship.

My two clinical trainings have equipped me to work with many different presentations, whether it's anxiety, depression, phobia, compulsive behaviour, anger issues, or an addiction. Often, there may not be a particular reason for wanting to see a psychotherapist, but you may have been feeling lost, confused, empty, hopeless, stuck, overwhelmed or just unfulfilled in your life. Talking to someone who is not a family member or friend can free you to be more honest about thoughts and feelings that might be troubling you. It can help you make sense of what’s going on, gain a greater sense of clarity which can help you to work out what has meaning for you in your life so you can live it more fully.

People are often confused about the difference between counselling & psychotherapy. Generally, if you are struggling to deal with a recent issue but have not been struggling generally in life, then counselling may be the more pertinent option. However, many people have had difficulties over many years and may find it difficult to lead the lives they'd like to. They would benefit from a much deeper exploration into their past and in particular their early relationships with parents and family members.

I work psychodynamically which means the therapeutic relationship between us is used to gain insight into unconscious (out of awareness) relationship patterns that have evolved since childhood. Memories and other evidence of early relationships are used to make sense of current concerns. Please go to the "about counselling and psychotherapy" tab to see more information.

If you're looking for a counsellor or psychotherapist in Waterloo/Southwark, I regularly work with people who have difficulties with:

Relationship issues - whether a relationship break up, or difficulty making and sustaining meaningful relationships with partners, family or friends.

Anxiety - whether general or in social situations or if you suffer from panic attacks

Bereavement - whether it's recent, imminent or you're having difficulty getting over a death of someone.

Redundancy - adjusting to life without work and loss of identity

Depression - if you feel empty, lost or unfulfilled in your life

Anger - feelings of intense anger and rage can emerge if you feel powerless in your life.  These can often be turned in against the self resulting in self defeating behaviour and constant self criticism.

Gender and sexuality - if you're questioning your gender, coming to terms with a particular sexual orientation or finding that questions around gender and sexuality have become problematic.

Somatic illnesses - sometimes emotions that we can't tolerate are experienced bodily. Do you have symptoms that can't be given a diagnosis?

Eating Disorders - I work with people experiencing disordered eating, obesity, emotional eating, bulimia, overeating and binge eating both as a counsellor in Waterloo, South London and I have four years' experience of working specifically with disordered eating at a private clinic for eating disorders in Central London.

My counselling and psychotherapy practice in Southwark is a 3-minute walk from Southwark Tube Station and a 6-minute walk from Waterloo Tube and Mainline Stations. It can also be easily reached from Blackfriars, London Bridge, Elephant and Castle and Farringdon. If you are looking for counselling or psychotherapy in Waterloo/ Southwark, South London, then please get in touch and we can arrange an initial consultation.