Don't miss out on a conversation with Sandra...
Reach out today and one of our friendly team will give you a FREE CALL to hear your story, and handle your booking for you.
I am a qualified and experienced Counsellor and I help people from different walks of life. We are all the same just in different ways, and I look forward to working in the way that is best for you.
A few fun facts about me - I am Scottish with a sense of humour that clients enjoy - and I ride an actual "real motorbike".
I am a qualified and experienced humanistic integrative person-centred Counsellor. I will create a safe and relaxed space with you and I use a variety of methods, individual to each person, to help you help yourself. You can bring yourself to the session, just as you are - leave any preconceived ideas behind as I am there to listen to you. Think of it as just a conversation you really want to have.
Read my client's storiesSandra is a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), and is also fully registered with The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Adult Nurse.
From a student, to a listener with Victim Support and also Counsellor with Safer, Sandra has first hand experience of supporting people in times when they truly need someone most.
Ensuring your highest level of care, Sandra is supervised by Phil Benge, a fully accredited Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, Psychosexual Therapist, & Counselling Supervisor, with over ten years of experience.
What distinguishes you as a counsellor from other counsellors?
You will get the truth, the unexpected truth that this is real. I don't have a mask and I will allow you to fully speak your truth.
How have life experiences influenced your approach to counselling?
My experiences were real and raw, and they have helped me understand human nature and helped me understand what it means to be vulnerable. I know I survived, and I want to help support people find that resilience within them and help them move forward.
How do you look after your own wellbeing?
I sometimes don't and am vulnerable to the ups and downs in life, just like you. So I take time out and reflect, manage to work through them by focussing on the positive thoughts - remembering my goals and focus. Life is short and a feel good movie or arts and crafts can always lift me up.
What is the best advice you have been given and who gave it to you?
My mum was always giving me advice, anecdotes to life and different scenarios to choose your way out of situations. The one that I remember most - "if they are talking about you, they are leaving everyone else alone" - not the best advise but gave me strength to ignore the carry on and build my resilience.
What is something you are grateful for at the moment?
I am grateful for my life in Guernsey, my job, experience and new projects. I have always wanted to step out and do my own counselling - so I am grateful for the opportunity to do this now here in Guernsey. My partner has a great resilience and creativity that has had a knock on effect on me - so I have to be grateful for him too.
What kind of dessert would you be and why?
Pink Blancmange - it goes back to the days of Monty Python, bringing out my ridiculous and funny side. So a little nostalgia of the laughter with my brother - making up comedy scenes. I use comedy in my counselling ("when appropriate") to bring some lightness and humour that clients can find to be healing for them.
Last year I asked my doctor for support, but Guernsey has limited to no resources and huge waiting lists. I was also awaiting emergency surgery and was very vulnerable, severely depressed and living in fear to leave the house. Victim support offered me Sandra to be a support listener. Being a high IQ autistic and having severe trust issues. I found it hard the 1st session, but with Sandra, woman to woman she understood my frustration and fears. I went to UK at one point, as was scared to leave the house. Needed to go where no one knew me. Sandra gave me the support I would not have had, it helped as we had a shared interest in Renoir and art. Well and decent coffee. It was so easy to talk to her. And there was no judgement, just a listening ear. A walk or coffee, but just a listening ear. A year later I’m going out. Joined a WI. And feeling nearly back to normal. Without Sandra and her patience and understanding. I know I would not be where I am now. The surgery also went well. And I would strongly recommend her. I was in finance and I know professionalism when I see it. Honestly I miss the sessions and the expertise you would find it hard to locate in Guernsey.
Sandra's counselling supports you to navigate life's challenges and stresses. She creates a relaxed and down to earth environment which allows you to feel heard, accepted and truly listened too, allowing you to explore and heal .
Sandra is an experienced adult nurse, so caring and compassion is at the core of all that she does. Her counselling support comes from a background of helping people just like you through physical and mental situations in their life.
Sandra's student counselling was done with Victim Support, so she is used to listening and holding space for people in real traumatic situations in life. Her time at Safer has allowed her to develop further her role in supporting people in the hardest times.
Reach out today and one of our friendly team will give you a FREE CALL to hear your story, and handle your booking for you.