Victoria Ashurst

One of the things that is most important to me as a counsellor is to make counselling as accessible as I can for as many people as possible. 

I offer counselling face-to-face, over the phone, online via video call or via text-based chat, so that everyone can choose a modality that best suits them. 

I offer a range of appointment times throughout the week for telephone or online therapy – from very early morning for those who prefer therapy before work or work night shifts, to evenings, weekends and bits of everything in-between.

My availability for face-to-face counselling is Friday afternoons and evenings.

For a full breakdown of my availability, visit my Calendly booking page at https://calendly.com/thesanctuarycounselling

There are only two things that you need to bring with you when you visit The Sanctuary: yourself and your truth. Show up with your whole self and let me take care of the rest. 

Accessing counselling for the first time, or returning to counselling after a break, can be a huge step. You may be looking for counselling because there’s something specific that you know that you’d like to work on, or because there’s something going on for you but you’re not quite sure what it is. Whatever the reason is that you’ve found yourself here, I am here to work with you without judgement so you can become the version of yourself that you want to be.

I have been trained in a therapeutic approach called person-centred therapy. Put simply, this method of therapy believes that you are the expert in you. I believe that you know yourself best. I don't provide advice and I can't ‘fix’ you; you're not broken. I will work with you to find solutions by drawing the answers from you.

Face-to-face sessions

I offer a limited number of face-to-face counselling sessions in Sale Moor. These are on Friday afternoons and evenings.

Why choose telephone counselling?

The perfect way to access counselling from wherever you are without worrying about needing a laptop or internet connection. Perfect if you want to close your eyes and immerse yourself in the therapeutic experience.

Why choose online/video call counselling?

Available with and without video, online counselling is a great option for those with a stable internet connection. Feel like you're in the room with me without leaving the comfort of your home, or squeeze in a session from a private space while you're on your lunch break.

Why choose text-based counselling?

Text-based counselling can be a great alternative for those who have hearing difficulties, those with a range of neurodiverse traits, and those who simply cannot find a private place where they won't be overheard. This is delivered through WhatsApp, which is encrypted for your privacy.

I started The Sanctuary when I qualified as a counsellor. I wanted to provide a service that was female, LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent owned and led – and proudly so. My goal with The Sanctuary is to offer a safe, accessible and inclusive space to talk with a qualified therapist who has lived experience of what it is like to be part of often-ostracised communities. You don't have to be LGBTQ+ or neurospicy to work with me, but you're absolutely welcome, seen and accepted if you are.

Specialisms 

I specialise in working with individuals with PTSD/cPTSD, ADHD, Autism and those who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual abuse, but I am happy to work with anything a client would like to bring to sessions.

What I Love

The thing I love most about being a counsellor is the privilege of getting to watch my clients’ journeys. Honestly, nothing brings me more joy than a client no longer feeling like they need me (which, I will admit, is a terrible business model!).

I often meet people at really difficult points in their life and I have the joy of being able to watch that shift over time into them becoming empowered, resilient and equipped to cope again. I love when a client realises that they’re at a point where they’re doing something they never thought would be possible – it’s such a joy to share that with them.

All new potential clients are welcome to a free 30-minute consultation, which you can book at a time which suits you via my Calendly booking page: https://calendly.com/thesanctuarycounselling/30min

This free 30-minute consultation is an opportunity for you to explore whether my counselling is the right fit for you. Meet me, find out more about person-centred counselling, and ask as many questions as you like.

You can select a video call, a phone call or a text-based conversation on WhatsApp for your free initial consultation.