Sharon Parker
Person-centred/humanistic psychotherapistAbout Me
Reaching out to a therapist for the first time can be daunting, leaving you feeling anxious and uneasy at the thought of meeting someone new to talk about deeply personal feelings and life experiences. I fully appreciate and understand this apprehension, especially if you don’t feel quite ready but know that you need professional support to get you through a tough time.
Folks like yourself come to talking therapy for lots of different reasons and many find talking through issues and/or events extremely helpful. Whether you are struggling with social anxiety, feeling sad and depressed, experiencing low self-esteem and confidence, living/working in a dysfunctional and toxic environment or trying to come to terms with gender and/or sexual identity, you do not need to suffer in silence any longer.
Whether you want to develop your ability to handle stress, have a desire to experience healthier relationships, increased self-awareness and self-reliance, or perhaps you don’t know why you feel the way you do but recognise that enough is enough, I am here for you.
So why choose me?
For over 25 years, I have gained a great deal of experience working within social care environments and have engaged with a diverse range of people from all walks of life, all unique individuals just like yourself. My personal and professional experiences have given me a deep appreciation of the value of feeling heard and experiencing validation, and the significance of this for positive mental health and well-being.
As a counsellor/psychotherapist qualified to Post-Graduate level, I use a therapeutic approach commonly known as Person-Centred which puts you at the centre of your process of change. I work alongside you, to help you to focus on the issues that really matter to you and at a pace you are most comfortable with. I use my therapeutic skills to support you to express how you are feeling and I will be led by you and the issues you bring.
You can be assured that I am fully committed to working alongside you with patience, sensitivity, compassion and respect. I will create a safe, comfortable and confidential space in which I will gently encourage you to openly express yourself, to explore emotional disturbances so that you can find your own solutions and learn to trust your own judgement. This process of self-exploration can take time depending upon the issues you bring, and I cannot offer any guarantees (no therapist can) in terms of individual outcomes, but I do pledge to work alongside you without judgement or criticism, to support you towards realising the next chapter in your life.
I am an LGBTQI+ affirmative practitioner and have volunteered as a counsellor with the LGBT Foundation in Manchester. I have a personal and professional understanding of the many additional challenges faced by those within this community; wherever you place yourself on the gender and/or sexuality spectrum, you are most welcome!
Issues often worked with
Types of therapy
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
£45 per session for remote (Zoom and/or telephone) or in-person sessions via Walk and Talk therapy.
To see if we are a good therapy ‘match’ I offer a free, no obligation 20-minute session (either via telephone or Zoom) in order for you to get a greater sense of how I work and an opportunity for you to share your thoughts about what is bringing you to therapy and any outcomes you would like to achieve for yourself.
It is my intention that this session will offer you the information and transparency you need to make an informed choice before starting your therapy and you can take all the time you need to make this important decision. Should you decide that I am the right therapist for you, we can then arrange our first session and go from there.
I currently offer sessions via Zoom, telephone and ‘Walk and Talk’ therapy, taking place from a choice of beautiful public spaces in and around Didsbury, South Manchester. These outdoor sessions can better suit those who do not have a safe, quiet space for remote therapy, are all ‘Zoomed’ out, find a lot of eye contact challenging or would prefer in-person therapeutic contact.
There are many potential benefits/disadvantages to each setting – please get in touch for more information and for my current availability.
Training and qualifications
I am a qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist having successfully completed the University of Salford BACP accredited Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy – Professional Training programme.
I am a Certified Online and Telephone Counselling Practitioner.
I am a registered member (MBACP) of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere fully to the BACP Ethical Framework.
I am a registered member of the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) (Reg.: ZA841786). I handle all client information with great care and due diligence and store all records, both in paper and electronic format, securely in strict accordance with GDPR requirements and ICO guidelines.
I have Enhanced Certification with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and I am fully insured as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist through Holistic Insurance Services.