Sarah Wheatley
BACP ACCREDITED Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
Parent-Infant therapist
Parent kind developer
Hello! I hope this helps answer some of your questions - please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
My background and how I work
I am a psychotherapist with over 20 years experience in social research, health promotion and psychology.
My work includes elements from psychoanalytic psychotherapy, attachment theory, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), Video Interaction Guidance and Newborn Observations.
My work with every client is completely different since it is guided by your unique needs.
What drives me
I’m really interested in why some people find parenthood harder than others and what can be done to make it better for everyone (partners and babies included). I have spoken to the media and worked with the Scottish Government to help raise awareness about what can help women to have a better experience of becoming, and being, mothers.
Why provide parent-infant therapy?
It is difficult to separate the mother’s emotional state and that of her baby/ babies. Infant Mental Health is one of my priorities and it is always present in my work with new parents.
After attending the World Association for Infant Mental Health Congress in June 2014, I trained in Newborn Behavioural Observation techniques with the Brazelton Institute, in order to help both the parent and infant benefit from improving the bond between them.
I am also an accredited Video Interaction Guidance practitioner and I have also completed the Babies in Mind course with the University of Warwick.
Some of my experience
I have worked with parents in a variety of contexts, from mums in isolated rural areas in Argyll to single teenage mothers in Muirhouse, Edinburgh.
During 2013, I developed the Parent Kind® course to help new mothers negotiate many of the recognised issues that come with being a first-time parent. This course was accredited by CAN Parent, as a result of demonstrating that it really does help new mothers feel more confident.
My credentials
I am a member of the British Psychological Society (367882), an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a member of the British Infertility Counselling Association and the Birth Trauma Association and EMDR Association UK.
I have facilitated the Perinatal Trauma support group for Juno PMHS, a volunteer-only organisation that provides peer support and outreach to mothers with perinatal mental health issues living in Edinburgh. I have also supported women through Antenatal Results and Choices.
Where you can find me
As well as working directly with parents, I really enjoy supporting parents through my blog, newsletters, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. It’s a great way to share some of the research and ideas about parenting that we continue to learn about.
I have written articles for The International Forum for Wellbeing in Pregnancy, Hood Magazine, The Motherload, PsychReg, The Every Mum Movement, Have You Seen That Girl, Selfish Mother, Lothian Life, Counselling Directory, Tribe Porty, Knot Stressed, and Guru + Go.
It’s really important that your therapy and therapist are right for you. Counselling is not always what you may need, or we might not be the right ‘fit’, and so I can always refer you to other services who might be able to help you.
If you would like to find out more about working with me, please do get in contact - I would be delighted to hear from you.
Sessions with me cost £85.