Sara Torrome is a counsellor in HP9


What attracted you to become a therapist?

I was interested for a long time in having a career where there was meaning and purpose behind it. I’d spent 20 years working in sales and business development in the IT and financial services industries, which despite being very well-paid, were pretty unfulfilling and highly stressful. When I was eight and a half months pregnant, I was fortunate to be in a situation where I was made redundant, so I had about 18 months where I wasn’t working. I was keen to make a difference in peoples lives and this time gave me the opportunity to get my counselling training started. 


Where did you train? 

I trained at the Buckinghamshire College Group where I completed my diploma in therapeutic counselling, my level 3 in counselling skills and a children and young persons counselling course. I have also done the CRUSE bereavement awareness training, which I completed with CRUSE Bucks in Aylesbury. Since graduating I have also completed the foundation for infant loss training. I am currently training in couples therapy. 


Can you tell us a bit about the type of therapy you practise? 

My training was primarily person-centred, although with young people, I find that they benefit from working with some elements of CBT and other creative tools.


What sort of people do you usually see? 

I see a variety of people, my private practice is solely adults, but I also volunteer in a school and work with 11-18 year olds in this setting. 


What do you like about being a therapist?

I love being a therapist; I enjoy working for myself and seeing the progression and growth in my clients, it is such a rewarding job.


What is less pleasant?

I embrace all of it!!


How long you’ve been with welldoing.org?

I have been with welldoing.org for six months.


Do you ever suggest books or apps to clients?

Yes I often suggest the Headspace app if a client is wanting to explore mindfulness and if the client is really young, then I tend to suggest the Smiling Mind app which is more appropriate for a younger age group. 

In terms of books, a couple of my younger client have found the Starving my Anxiety book useful. 


What you do for your own mental health? 

I have therapy when I need it. I get out in the fresh air, I walk and spend time with my girls and the horses as much as I can. 


You are a therapist in Beaconsfield and South Bucks. What can you tell us about the areas you practice in?

I see client in my therapy room in Beaconsfield, but I also volunteer in a girls grammar school one morning a week and volunteer for CRUSE Bereavement where I see people in their own homes. It’s a diverse group of clients, which is really interesting. 


What’s your consultation room like?

Clean, fresh and calm


What do you wish people knew about therapy?

It takes time and commitment, but can be hugely beneficial; it can change your life.


What did you learn about yourself in therapy?

A huge amount, but one of the most valuable things I learnt, is that change doesn’t always have to be a negative experience, lots of good comes from change, but sitting with the uncertainty can be challenging. 


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