Counselling and Psychotherapy

Perinatal Counselling

My name is Sarah Senbeto and my area of experience has been working with people and partners during their journey to becoming pregnant, during pregnancy and after. I can offer guidance; support and therapeutic interventions for people who are preparing for parenthood and are experiencing difficulties related to pregnancy, childbirth or the postnatal period. I can offer short or long term confidential and non judgmental sessions. I really value creating a safe and compassionate space to work together at your own pace. Sometimes we find ourselves navigating stages of our lives that we never anticipated. I recognise that people may experience overwhelming distress as a result of their perinatal journey and that there are many experiences and previous life events that can lead to distress at this time.  I understand that people never forget how they are treated in their most vulnerable moments and this is at the forefront of my work. Whether you are seeking relief from anxiety and trauma or feelings of overwhelm, or simply looking for a space to reflect and reconnect, you are in safe hands.

I have over 30 years working in the NHS and for the last six years I have worked in perinatal mental health. I have experience supporting perinatal mental health needs such as anxiety, birth trauma, depression and complex trauma.

I also have experience working with people with neurodiversity such as autism and ADHD. I qualified as a counsellor in 2017 and I am an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society ( NCPS). 

I offer individual sessions, I am not trained as a couple’s counsellor.

Before pregnancy and during pregnancy

I can offer counseling and support pre-conception and during the pregnancy journey. It is common to have mixed emotions about being pregnant and to have worries about the future and how life may change. Perinatal counsellors can help with preparing for the emotional challenges ahead. Sometimes past and painful experiences show up in unexpected ways during pregnancy, birth and after.

Within counseling sessions I can include psychological education which includes preparation for labour and birth (or c/section) and a tool kit of coping strategies. I have experience working with women who have anxieties around birth or who have experienced birth trauma.

Complex pregnancies

Pregnancy is not always predictable. I have also worked with women and families whose baby has been diagnosed with a genetic or physical problem. When you are told that your baby has or might have a problem you may feel very alone and feel that no one can understand how you feel. I wish to understand your difficulties together and can offer a non judgmental space.

Birth Reflections- single sessions after birth.

I can offer a single sessions birth reflections  to really listen, talk through the pregnancy and birth and to explore complex feelings and to try to make sense of events. Single sessions birth reflections are  longer than the counselling sessions. More sessions can be offered if requested.

There is no time limit. I have seen people for a birth reflections session many years after the birth.

Postnatal counseling

For some people after a baby is born is a very difficult time both emotionally, psychologically and physically. Becoming a parent is a huge life changing event which can bring to the forefront difficult thoughts and emotions, sometimes there can be a feeling of overwhelm and disconnect. The shift and life change of being a parent can feel massive and it is okay if it takes some time to find your feet.

Birth Trauma- I have worked with women who have birth trauma and feel very distressed about aspects of their pregnancy and birth experience. Symptoms can include re-experiencing the events, nightmares or flashbacks. You may have negative thoughts or feelings, feel very “jumpy” or on high alert. Sometimes you may not allow yourself to think about anything that reminds you of the trauma as it feels so distressing. Birth partners can also have birth trauma from witnessing events.

Loss- grief and heartbreak

I have experience working with women and families who have tragically experienced baby loss such as miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and termination of pregnancy for any reason.

The loss can feel absolutely devastating. There is no wrong or right way to cope with the emotions of bereavement and everyone deals with grief differently. Counselling will not take away the pain of loss or speed up the grieving process. However, it can be helpful in providing a space in which to talk about complex, and painful emotions, feelings and thoughts that may be difficult to share with others, either because you don’t want to burden them or because you feel you may be judged. I can also offer counselling sessions during subsequent pregnancies after loss

Price:

15 minute free consultation phone call prior to commencing any sessions. This is to assess if I can be helpful to you and if I am the right  person for you.

• Counselling sessions: £70 per session for 60 minutes

• Walk and talk counselling sessions (outdoors in a green space): £70 per session for 60 minutes.

• Single sessions birth reflections: £95 for 75 minutes

Contact:

Telephone: 07951777097

Email: sarah.senbeto@gmail.com