A therapist, in small details (Part 2)

A few more small details about how I work as a therapist - what I notice, what I value, and how I aim to create a space where you can feel safe to be yourself.

There are always more layers to a person than what can be captured in one conversation.

So here are a few more things about me—how I work, what I notice, and what matters to me in the therapy room.


Who do I feel most drawn to working with?

I naturally find myself connecting with highly sensitive people, particularly those with neurodivergent traits.

They feel very deeply, and I can often sense that depth—even if they’re not aware of it yet.

There’s something very special about connecting with someone on that level. When they allow themselves to be vulnerable and reach those depths, the healing can be incredibly powerful.


What do I find most meaningful about the work I do?

It’s when I witness someone move from a place of pain and hopelessness into a place of self-actualisation.

There’s a shift—into empowerment, into something more solid within themselves.

Those changes don’t just disappear. They stay, and they ripple outwards into the rest of that person’s life and relationships.

It’s a privilege to be part of that.


What happens when someone starts to trust themselves?

There’s a sense of peace and self-assuredness.

I notice that I can step back a little, and they begin to step forward into their own power.

You can see it—in the way they hold themselves, the way they speak, and the choices they start to make.


What do I do when I don’t have the answers?

I’m honest.

I’ll say that I feel unsure or that I don’t have a clear answer.

And I might gently explore whether my client is feeling that too.

Feeling lost can be a very lonely place—but they’re not alone in it. We can find a way forward together.


What kind of environment do I work best in?

A calm one.

As someone who is neurodivergent, I’m sensitive to sensory stimuli. So the space I work in needs to feel comfortable, tidy, and regulated.

That allows me to stay present in myself—and fully available for the person in front of me.


What might surprise people about me?

I don’t enjoy small talk.

It can feel performative and inauthentic to me.

I much prefer depth—real, meaningful connection over surface-level conversation.


What helps me feel connected to someone?

Honesty and rawness.

When someone allows themselves to be vulnerable and authentic, there’s a kind of connection that’s hard to explain—but I know when it’s there because I can feel it.


How do I think about boundaries?

Boundaries are essential in any relationship, and especially in therapy.

Both people need to feel safe in order to have freedom within the space.

I don’t see boundaries as rigid walls, but as something more fluid and nuanced. They still need to be clear and communicated—and that comes with trust.


What would I hope someone experiences in a session with me?

That they feel safe to be themselves.

We all have fears. We all wear masks at times.

But I hope that anyone who sits with me feels able to open up without worrying that they’ll be seen as silly or wrong.


You don’t need to know these things for therapy to work.

But sometimes it helps to know there’s a real person sitting with you—someone who is present, human, and alongside you in the process.

Share your love
Sarah Phipps
Sarah Phipps

I’m Sarah Phipps, a BACP Accredited pluralistic therapist working with adults who are navigating the impact of childhood trauma, anxiety, depression, and narcissistic abuse. I offer a calm, non-judgmental space where you can begin to make sense of your experiences at your own pace. My approach is collaborative and neuroaffirming, and I work with people of all backgrounds, identities, and neurotypes. I aim to meet you as you are, helping you reconnect with yourself and move forward in a way that feels more grounded, understood, and your own.

Articles: 10

Discover more from Hope Tree Counselling

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading