Sally Davies Counselling

My approach to therapy

I am a relational therapist (psychodynamic and person-centred). I hope we can build a relationship where you feel safe to open up. I work longterm around issues that you may have had their whole life so it takes time. You might feel emotional as we look at things you may never have discussed before, and release things.

I have worked with issues from suicidality, anxiety, depression, addiction, family relationships, sexual violence, childhood physical and emotional abuse, attachment, narcissism. Most of my clients come with developmental issues: from emotional or physical neglect, difficult relationships with parents, bereavements, or one-off events – nothing is too big or too small. 

I am also interested in working with chronic health conditions and pain, and how the mind impacts the physical body. Often emotional pain manifests as a physical ailment, which does not mean it is not real or painful, but working with the emotions can help resolve it. Exploring family history can be also helpful, with issues often passed down generations. So I may ask you to do a timeline of your life.

I see myself as a kind of detective with my clients, helping them uncover where their thoughts, behaviours, fears etc come from. 

How does it work?

We will have a 15-minute phone chat and then meet for a consultation. Sessions are 50 minutes. We will agree a time to meet weekly. Sessions are open-ended. Once you feel ready to stop, we will discuss a date for ending. It is important that the therapy does not stop suddenly. 

What kind of therapist am I?

I aim to be collaborative and make suggestions – I do not sit in silence. Often we cannot see how our behaviour looks to others or understand why we don’t get the outcome we expect. I can help you see a different perspective. I am calm and empathic but think humour is also important. 

I work with the mind and the body. I may ask you to do a breathing or grounding exercise, or we will explore emotions and a vocabulary for feelings. I may also use creative writing, drawing or other symbolic work, if you are comfortable to do so. 

Who do you work with?

I work with adults of all ages and backgrounds, from 18 up. I have worked with students at the University of Bristol and retired people. I really encourage men to come to therapy too. 

Some issues I have worked with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Attachment and child development
• Narcissism, narcissistic parents
• Health anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Boarding school survivors
• Childhood sexual/physical/emotional abuse
• Addiction – gambling, alcohol, etc
• ADHD/autism/neurodiveristy, particularly in women
• Developing a vocabulary around emotions, particularly in men
• Trauma-informed work, somatic work
• LGBTQ+ gender dysphoria, transitioning

In case Of Crisis

• Samaritans
• Mind