Sarah Wittams-Howarth Counselling
Hi! Welcome to my website - thanks for visiting.Maybe you are here because you are looking for a safe and accepting therapist to help you explore and make sense of difficult experiences or worries.
If you are interested in exploring further, or have any questions please get in touch.
Services I offer
I mainly offer counselling outdoors in and around Sheffield and the Peak District with some sessions available online. Being outside naturally lowers stress, supports nervous system regulation, and helps clients feel more grounded. Walking side-by-side can also ease the pressure of direct eye contact, making it easier to open up.
The natural world offers metaphors, space, and calm that can deepen reflection and insight. Whether we’re sitting under a tree or walking a quiet path, nature becomes an active third party in the session—supportive, spacious, and healing. Outdoor therapy invites a slower pace, helping clients reconnect with themselves in an embodied and authentic way.
I work relationally and pluralistically, which means therapy is a collaborative and flexible process, tailored to you as a unique individual. At the heart of our work is the therapeutic relationship—based on trust, openness, and mutual respect. I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches and we’ll explore together what feels helpful, adjusting as your needs evolve. There’s no one-size-fits-all path; your experiences, values, and preferences shape the direction we take. My role is to walk alongside you, offering support, insight, and space for growth in a way that feels right for you.
Where I work
I offer face to face sessions in green spaces in Sheffield and the Peak District. I also offer online therapy, if you would prefer to work online, or if the weather prevents outdoor work at any point.
About me
My relationship with the natural world has changed and developed throughout my life. As a child the outdoors was a source of joy and wonder. I loved climbing trees, flying kites, making dens in ferns, swimming in our local river and on holidays in the sea. I loved learning about the natural world from my relatives– being called outside to see a toad spotted in the garden; walking home in the dark with our heads leaning backwards looking at constellations; rock pooling together and investigating the huge variety of aquatic life in such a confined space; watching a spider with a blue egg sac in a pooter.
As an older adolescent I discovered hillwalking, climbing and mountaineering. I loved the way this got me to secluded places with often incredible vantage points to experience views shared by few others. In my 17 years as a teacher I spent time taking students to the Peak District, North Wales, and abroad to walk and climb and explore.
I realised nature was a place for me to reconnect with myself in evenings climbing in the Peak District after a stressful day’s teaching. Now I spend time walking and running in nature as ways to support myself. I feel connected to a part of something far greater than myself and this feels profoundly healing as it shifts my focus to the wider world. ‘We inter-breathe with the rain forests, we drink from the oceans. They are part of our body.’ Thich Nhat Hanh.My experienceI have experience working with young people from 14 upwards, university students and adults. Material clients have brought to sessions includes relationship issues (of all kinds); neurodivergence; gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity; grief and loss; trauma; abuse of all kinds; friendship; loneliness; overwhelm; racism and other societal inequalities.QualificationsI have a Masters in Counselling from Leeds Beckett University and a Level 3 in Integrative Counselling. I have also undertaken training in Understanding Therapeutic Practice in Outdoor Natural Spaces with the Centre for Natural Reflection.
What to expect
FeesSessions are priced at £55 per hour. Discounted rates are available for student therapists.Payment is required before each session and can be made by cash or bank transfer.Finding out more
You are warmly invited to get in touch via email, text, or voice message. We will arrange a time where we can meet online or over the phone for around 20 - 30 minutes to explore working together. The first meeting will be charged at a flat fee of £20. If we decide to proceed and you wish to work outside we’ll have a second meeting in the space to explore what working outside means for you and how best we can tailor the process to best suit your needs. The second season will be 50 minutes and will be charged at £55.These initial sessions will allow us to see whether we are a good fit. We will explore the following things to help me understand how best to support you:
* What you are wanting to explore and any goals you have for therapy.
* Whether you have had therapy before and anything you found helped or hindered that.
* Whether you are having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or others.
* How you support yourself in difficult times including relevant medication you have.
* If we are exploring working outside, I will also ask about your relationship with nature.If we decide to work together, we will arrange a first therapy session during which I’ll ask you to sign a therapy contract which sets out the conditions of how we work together. A copy of which can be found here.I regularly review how work is progressing and always value feedback to help me support you in the best way I can and make any changes necessary to do this. The length of time we work together is agreed collaboratively to meet the needs of progress, budgets, and circumstances.Session Cancellation
Booked sessions can be cancelled or rescheduled if more than 24 hours’ notice is given. However the full session cost will be due if a session is missed or cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.
Contact
If you have any queries, I would be pleased to hear from you so do get in touch via email (I will aim to get back to you within 24 hours) or phone, or by completing the form below.Email: [email protected]Tel: 07579024925
ComplaintsI am a registered member of the British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy. My registration number is 415907.Information about how to complain to the BACP about the service I provide can be found here:How to complain about a BACP member
Out of hours supportIf you feel you are in immediate need of support, (for example, you are experiencing feelings of wanting to commit suicide or harm yourself or another) please call 999, or contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or by email at [email protected]If you need a different type of help or assistance, please contact one of the organisations below:Ann Craft Trust
0115 951 5400 • www.anncrafttrust.org
Safeguarding disabled children and adults at risk of abuseChildline
0800 1111 • www.childline.org.uk
Advise and support for children and young peopleGalop
0800 999 5428 • www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic abuseLGBTQ and ALL
www.lgbtqandall.com
LGBTQ mental health and gender confirmation resources from around the worldRespect - Men’s Advice Line
0808 801 0327 • www.mensadviceline.org.uk
Helpline for men affected by domestic abuseMind
0300 123 3393 • www.mind.org.uk
Email: [email protected]National Domestic Violence Helpline
0808 2000 247 • www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Information and advice around domestic abuseNSPCC
0808 800 5000 • www.nspcc.org.uk
Protecting children from abuse and neglectNational Centre for Domestic Violence
020 3866 4107 • www.ncdv.org.uk
A free, fast emergency injunction service to those at risk of all forms of domestic abuseRape Crisis
0808 500 2222 • www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Specialist services to those affected by sexual violence in England & WalesRespect helpline
Men’s advice line - 0808 802 4040 • www.respect.uk.net
For anyone worried that they may be harming someone elseRights of Women
www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
Free legal advice for WomenSafeLives
www.safelives.org.uk
Charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for goodShelter
0808 800 4444 • www.shelter.org.uk
Advice for people with housing needsSamaritans
116 123 • www.samaritans.org • [email protected]
24/7 emotional support for anyone in crisisSupport Line
01708 765 200 • www.supportline.org.uk
Emotional support for adults, young adults and childrenSurvivors UK
Chat via SMS 020 3322 1860 • www.survivorsuk.org
Support for boys, men and non-binary people overcoming sexual abuse and rapeVictim Support Helpline
0808 1689 111 • www.victimsupport.org.uk
Emotional support for anyone affected by crime – whether recent or historicalWomen’s Aid
www.womensaid.org.uk
Support for women and children living with domestic violence
POlicies
My Privacy Policy is downloadable using the below link:
Privacy PolicyMy contract for therapy is downloadable using the below link:
Therapy Contract
ecopsychotherapy, outdoor therapy, nature therapy, biophilia, psychotherapy, outdoor therapy, Ecopsychology
Blog
I find that taking photographs in nature has become a mindful and grounding practice. As I pause to notice the shapes, colours, and light around me, I often discover both simple beauty and quiet messages that resonate on a personally significant level.