What Clients Have to Say

It is hard to give a clear sense of what it might actually be like to ‘do therapy’ with me. It isn’t as if I am offering a specific product. We are embarking on a relationship. I might explain the boundaries, the fundamental values, the training, but what about the ‘bit in the middle’ - the bit that really matters to you?

This is why I’m sharing with you some words from previous clients, anonymously of course. Also because sitting on the internet, in relative privacy, it might be hard to believe that other people are involved in this same activity, looking for help, or a place in which to make sense of their lives and feel ‘all connected up’ again.

Whatever training I have, other counsellors with the same training will practice differently. I also practice differently with different clients, responding precisely to their thoughts, feelings,experiences, in a way which emerges and feels right and effective for them.

So, bearing in mind that everyone and every counselling relationship is different, and in the spirit of breaking the isolation a little, here are some words from different clients. Some are speaking about online therapy and some about face to face work, but the essentials remain the same, online, or not. Clients A and K have been translated into English, by me, and all feedback has been lightly edited for clarity/length. I do not solicit testimonials as a matter of course and this feedback was all given with the aim of easing the way for others.

Client A

Before starting therapy, when I felt really bad, I tried to help myself by diagnosing myself. I started looking for the symptoms and causes of various kinds of mental illness on the internet. This course of action didn’t bring about any improvement though, it rather made the situation worse, as I fell deeper into depression at the thought that I was mentally ill. I decided to get the help of a specialist who (I thought at the time) would diagnose me and prescribe me medicine.

The first thing which surprised me was the sentence on Sarah’s [Polish] website where she writes that she “works with the healthy person inside”, while I felt at that time that I was ill. The next thing was that I did not receive any diagnosis, or prescriptions. I thought that was really strange, but I knew that the therapist knew what she was doing.

I felt good going to the sessions, but I did not understand why I didn’t receive any advice or tips on how to proceed and what to do. Now I understand perfectly, and I remember the people who said that the psychologist “imposes their thinking”, which is complete rubbish.

I understood that the aim of therapy is to help you find and understand yourself, just as you are. The client does not receive advice, tips or instructions on life from the therapist, otherwise he would not be himself inside. The therapist offers help in finding your own way, so that you decide for yourself what it should be like.

I am very happy with Sarah’s help, and with the perspective of time, when I go back in my mind from when I started therapy to now, it becomes even clearer to me what a positive change came about in my life.

I signed up for therapy to “cure myself”, and during the sessions I understood many things, now this is the beginning of a wonderful journey of personal growth :-)

Client M

I’ve been working with Sarah for the past year and a half and through this work have watched my life transform. The flexibility of the medium works well for me. I can write a quick email to Sarah when I think of something that I want to chat about, instead of, as in traditional counseling, waiting till session.

As a poet, I value that Sarah is also a poet. I’ve never worked with a counselor who is also an artist before and I find it deepens my experience of the work. Sarah truly understands and honors the creative self.

I’ve also found that person centered therapy is perfectly suited to my nature and to what I want to achieve in therapy. I believe in living from the inside-out, so I find working from the premise that I can find my own answers internally refreshing and empowering. For me it’s been a gentle and organic process that has helped me become more myself and to enhance the quality of my life.

My marriage is sweeter […] and I’ve even become better at my day job, being able to prioritize my work load based on what I value rather than fear of not being “enough.”

I love working with Sarah, especially her emphasis on honoring the self. She has a unique talent for helping me delve into those mucky bogs of my self, supported by her unwavering confidence that I’ll emerge, bringing that dark part of myself back, filled with light.

Client K

At a certain time in my life I found myself at a crossroads, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. Practically every area of my life was going wrong. I felt constant tension. It was hard to talk to those who were closest to me, because you don’t want to worry them, and sometimes they just don’t know how to help, they are not objective. Someone standing outside the situation sees it with different eyes. And that is why I decided on the sessions with Sarah. They gave me an incredible feeling of relief. After every session I understood myself more, felt calmer, even more joyful, I gained optimism and faith in myself.

I know one thing, that when things are difficult, you can’t wait, you need to give yourself a chance and try to help yourself, and Sarah is perfect for the job.