Saralea Stewart, NCPS

Saralea Stewart is an LGBTQIA+ counsellor based in the United Kingdom with over ten years of clinical experience supporting young people, students, private LGBTQIA+ clients and IAPT patients. She trained to a high academic standard, earning a first class BA (Hons) Degree in Person Centred Counselling from the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex and a BTEC Diploma in Counselling Skills from Great Yarmouth College. She also holds the NCPS credential and is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), working towards accreditation.

Saralea has worked across voluntary and statutory settings, including roles with Centre 33, Access Community Trust and Open Road, and she has extensive experience offering counselling in colleges and through private practice and employee assistance services. Her background includes focused study in areas such as focusing, sex therapy, porn addiction, cognitive behavioural approaches, mindfulness, couples work, group facilitation, coaching and creative thinking.

She works with adults, young adults and older people who want change, as well as families and struggling family units. Common presenting issues include stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family difficulties, anger, addictions, trauma and grief, issues around intimacy and identity, parenting challenges and coping with life changes. Saralea emphasises self-awareness and psycho-education within a person-centred framework, tailoring techniques to each person’s needs to help them move toward a more fulfilling life. Sessions are offered in a relaxed setting and she remains committed to ongoing professional development to enhance her practice.

Evidence-Informed Approaches for Online Therapy

Saralea Stewart combines client-centred work with goal-focused methods to support people across a range of concerns. Client-Centred Therapy emphasises a warm, non-directive stance where the therapist offers empathy and attentive listening so clients can explore their feelings and find their own solutions - this approach is often helpful for issues of identity, self-esteem and relationship difficulties. Motivational Interviewing uses collaborative conversation to help people clarify their goals and strengthen motivation for change - it can be useful for addictions, ambivalence about change and improving commitment to new habits. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on identifying small, practical steps and building on existing strengths to create forward momentum - it often fits well for people seeking concrete ways to address current problems or make life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Saralea will collaborate with each person to select and adapt methods based on their needs, goals and preferences, reviewing progress together and adjusting the plan as required. This collaborative stance helps ensure therapy remains relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to fit different schedules, comfort levels and time zones. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home or while travelling, and choose the communication format that best suits each person’s circumstances.