Sara Breinlinger

Qualifications/Experience
I am a qualified couples therapist. I trained at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships (TCCR). Before this, I trained as a psychologist and hold a BSc and a PhD in Psychology.

I am a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I abide by their code of ethics and I receive regular clinical supervision of my work.

I currently work with both couples and individuals. I have a private couple counselling and psychotherapy practice and I also work in the voluntary sector.

I have experience of working with a variety of issues including relationships, fertility, bereavement and loss.

How I Work
At our first few meetings, we will spend some time talking about your concerns and the problems that are currently causing you most anxiety. We will look at how therapy works and I will then explore with you the ways in which I may be able to help you.

Although my counselling approach is integrative, which means that I integrate a number of therapy models in my work and it is tailored to the needs of the individual client, I often work from a psychodynamic perspective. I find it to be particularly effective at addressing repeated patterns of self-destructive behaviour and at understanding and developing insights into the underlying dynamics operating in our closest relationships. By helping uncover our unconscious coping behaviours and strategies, it can be hugely effective in helping people to make sense of their emotions, their current difficulties, their own past and their relationships both with others and with themselves.

When working with couples, my focus is not on placing the blame or responsibility on either individual, but on carefully exploring the interaction between the two people – their communication, behaviour and emotional patterns. I hope that in our work together, we will increase the understanding and insights about repeated patterns, frustrations or escalating and circular arguments; help reduce the power of disappointments and hurts, both past and present, and ultimately open up a way for you to discover new ways of relating and listening to one another.

Relationship counselling is also of enormous benefit to separating and divorcing couples, offering the opportunity to air hurt and angry feelings in a safe and controlled setting, with the aim of making parting as constructive as possible for all parties.

I generally offer an open-ended arrangement, but occasionally a fixed number of sessions are agreed to do some short-term focus-based therapy for specific problems. Mostly, however, the therapy lasts for as long as the individual or couple feel they want and need it. The ending of the therapy is usually discussed and planned well in advance.

My working hours are flexible to fit in with clients' needs.

General Information
I provide Face to Face Counselling
Fees: Individuals £50.00, Couples £70.00 per session
Approximate length of one appointment: 50 minutes
Approximate length of therapy: short (six to twelve sessions) and long-term, open-ended therapy.

Languages: English
Locations: I work from two locations - East London and the City
Nearest Train/Tube Stations: Liverpool Street Station, Aldgate, Old Street,

Hackney Central, Homerton or Clapton.
Wheelchair access: No

Please contact me on: 07723 914 299 or 0208 985 3883
Email: sbreinlinger@yahoo.com