Welcome to True Voice Counselling 

A Space Where You Can Be As You Are

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the pressure to fit in, take on a specific role, or meet others' expectations? Do you struggle to identify your wants and needs or to understand how you truly feel about things? Do you feel lost when it comes to knowing what’s important to you or where you belong? If so, you're definitely not the only one!

I have faced similar challenges, and I understand how isolating it can feel to be out of place. I have also had the privilege of supporting others who have been through similar troubles. Through these experiences, I have realised the importance of connecting with someone who genuinely sees and appreciates your unique experience. Each of us needs a nurturing and supportive environment where we can express ourselves openly and honestly, without judgment or the pressure to be a certain way.

I am here to offer compassionate guidance as we explore your personal beliefs and values, your past experiences, and what strategies have worked for you versus those that haven't. Together, we can uncover your 'true voice'—the authentic expression of your thoughts, emotions, and life experiences that may have been silenced or overlooked. Throughout this process, we will work towards developing a sense of home within yourself, ultimately helping you create the life you desire.

Dr Sarah Quinley (she/her)

Hello and welcome. I am a registered BACP member, a COSCA-qualified Doctor of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a Relationships Scotland-certified Couples Counsellor. I work with adults and couples online.

We often seek relief from our struggles by looking at how to change our external circumstances when it is often more effective to turn our focus inward. In therapy, we can learn how to be present with ourselves and recognise that our feelings are not merely obstacles but valuable resources that can guide us.

Therapy can help you forge a deeper connection with yourself—this foundational work will not only enhance your self-understanding but also empower you to make meaningful changes across all areas of your life.

As your therapist, I will provide a safe and engaging environment where you can develop tools, gain clarity, and cultivate emotional fluency, enabling you to connect with your feelings and communicate them with others. I’m here to be with you in your experience, ensuring you feel seen, heard, and understood for all that you are.

If you are reading this, you may find yourself navigating a challenging period in your life. The pain and distress you are experiencing might leave you feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, with the burdens you carry seeming insurmountable. It is natural to feel powerless in the face of such difficulties, making the thought of giving up feel more appealing. However, reaching out for help is not just a brave step but a profoundly significant move toward reclaiming your well-being. You have already demonstrated courage by being here, and I want you to know that you are not alone in your struggle. Together, we can delve into what troubles you most and uncover meaningful paths toward healing and understanding. Therapy is for everyone; it does not require you to fit a specific profile. You are welcome just as you are.

My Approach 

My style of therapy is relational, collaborative, and personalised. Building a strong relationship is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting change. I aim to be attuned to your experience, creating an atmosphere of trust. Throughout our process, I will check in with you frequently to ensure I understand you accurately and that you feel your needs are being met.

Collaboration is key; together, we will shape the therapy based on your preferences, drawing from various schools of thought to tailor the experience specifically for you. My work is also exploratory, allowing me to view you as a whole person in context. We will delve into your concerns, aspirations, emotional experiences, and relational patterns holistically, considering the emotional, psychological, physical, mental, spiritual, and cultural aspects of your past and present. This comprehensive understanding will help you connect with yourself more fully and discover paths forward that resonate with your unique situation.

I am dedicated to listening with empathy and understanding, empowering you to actively engage in and take ownership of your self-journey.

How can I support you?

  • “My experience was that you are an incredibly warm, compassionate, human and humane therapist. I felt seen and heard in a way that I rarely have in my life, and I’ve certainly never felt seen and heard so consistently, week in week out. I feel sure that I will return to the things we talked about and explored, and that they’ll unfold in me for many years to come. Your focus on self-compassion and somatic work is what made me choose you as my therapist. Your attention, for example, to changes you observed in my facial expressions, and whether I was connected to myself emotionally when I was saying something, was so important. Feeling attuned to you (taking relaxing breaths at the same time as one another, eye contact) was crucial in allowing me to experience that the qualities I initially only admired in you were in me also, and indeed can be found in all humans. I’ve connected with myself like never before and have felt (rather than just intellectually understood) that there is nothing wrong or broken about me. My creative expression has become more clear, profound, communicative, and more authentically mine. It is not an exaggeration to say my experience was life-changing.”

    — C. 2020

  • “I have only wonderful things to say about my experience. Thank you for consistently holding such a safe, warm and nurturing space for me. More than any other therapist I have worked with, you have an amazing quality that makes the weekly space a perfect sanctuary for whatever is needed. Our sessions always felt so well-paced. I appreciate that you took such care at the beginning and toward the end of sessions to check in with my energy/feeling and give me a chance to reflect on what was needed. It always felt like you were so present for me, and that you dedicated time between sessions to ideas and reflections for us to cover next time. This made me feel so incredibly valued and inspired me to keep showing up for myself, even on harder days. Everything always magically felt like the perfect balance, tone, challenge and surrender. The magic is you!! Thanks so much Sarah.”

    — S., 2022

  • “You could not write enough good things about Sarah if you tried.  I have been through the process of finding a therapist several times, and I don’t think I’ll ever meet another quite like Sarah.  Coming to therapy every week felt warm and inviting, and I felt as if I was able to confront challenges in my life that I couldn’t have otherwise tackled.  Sarah taught me so much, and I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today without her.  She will always have a profound space in my heart, and I will forever cherish the opportunity to work with her.”

    - E. 2022

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