Sarah Clark

I am a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. My approach is based on the idea that many of the difficulties we experience in the present are shaped by unconscious patterns developed through earlier relationships and life experiences. In therapy, we create a space to explore these patterns with curiosity and care, helping you understand how they influence the way you feel, think and relate to others.

I work collaboratively and at a pace that feels manageable. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, psychoanalytic psychotherapy aims to understand the deeper emotional processes that may lie beneath them. As these patterns become clearer, new ways of experiencing yourself and relating to others can gradually emerge.

Alongside a psychoanalytic approach, I sometimes integrate elements of mentalisation-based therapy (MBT). Mentalisation refers to our capacity to understand our own and others’ thoughts, feelings and intentions. Strengthening this capacity can help people feel less overwhelmed in relationships and better able to navigate complex emotional situations.

My clinical work is also informed by my background in neuroscience research, which contributes to my interest in how emotional experience, relationships and the brain interact over time. 

People come to therapy for many different reasons. You might be experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, or a sense that certain patterns keep repeating in your life. Sometimes there is a clear difficulty, while at other times there may simply be a feeling that something is not quite right.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy provides a confidential and reflective space in which we can explore these experiences together. By paying attention to thoughts, feelings, memories, dreams and patterns that emerge in therapy, we begin to build a deeper understanding of your internal world.

This process can help bring unconscious dynamics into awareness and create greater freedom in how you respond to challenges in your life. Over time, therapy can support emotional resilience, a stronger sense of self, and more fulfilling relationships.

I work with young people and adults from diverse backgrounds and aim to provide a thoughtful, non-judgemental environment where difficult experiences can be spoken about openly. Therapy may be short-term and focused on a particular issue, or longer-term for those who wish to explore deeper and longstanding patterns.  

The first session is an opportunity for us to meet and begin thinking about what brings you to therapy. You might wish to speak about specific difficulties you are experiencing, recent events, or patterns that you have noticed in your life. There is no expectation to have everything clearly defined.

During this session we will explore what you are hoping for from therapy and whether my way of working feels like a good fit for you. I may ask some questions about your current situation, personal history and relationships in order to gain a broader understanding of your experiences.

You are also welcome to ask any questions about therapy, the process, or practical aspects such as frequency of sessions.

Beginning therapy can feel like a significant step. The initial meeting is designed to be a thoughtful and supportive space where we can consider together whether ongoing work would feel helpful for you.