Relationship Counselling West Malling (Wateringbury)
Sara O’Donnell – Psychotherapeutic Counsellor & Couples Counsellor
Location: Relationship Counselling Kent, West Malling.
Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society (NCS) | Registered Member of the BACP
Quick Summary: Here’s a short introduction to Sara and how she can help — you can read more about her below.
Sara is a compassionate and experienced therapist working with both couples and individuals. Based in West Malling, she offers a supportive and non-judgemental space to explore relationship difficulties, improve communication, and break unhelpful cycles of conflict.
As an Accredited Member of the National Counselling Society (NCS) and Registered BACP Counsellor, she follows an integrative, person-centred approach, drawing on Transactional Analysis and RIGAAR techniques to tailor therapy to each couple’s unique needs. Clients describe Sara as empathetic and authentic, helping them feel heard, understood, and supported in making meaningful changes to their relationships.
👉 Book an appointment with Sara at Relationship Counselling Kent – West Malling
More From Sara
My name is Sara O’Donnell and I am a fully qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I work with both couples and individuals. I’m an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (NCS) and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I subscribe to and work within the NCS Code of Ethics and the BACP Ethical Framework, undertake regular professional development and supervision, and hold professional indemnity insurance.
My Approach to Couple Therapy
In my experience, couples usually try to resolve issues on their own before seeking counselling. They often find themselves stuck in the same arguments, struggling to break unhelpful cycles. By the time they attend therapy, many feel upset, angry, hurt, and overwhelmed by the pattern they are in.
How Couple Counselling Can Help
Couple counselling provides a safe and confidential space to talk about what is happening in your relationship. It helps both partners feel supported and understood.
I will work with you to:
- Understand your individual needs, as well as your needs as a couple.
- Identify repeating negative patterns that are causing unhappiness.
- Explore common issues such as affairs and infidelity, communication difficulties, unmet emotional needs, parenting differences, intimacy concerns, and ongoing conflict.
A Tailored, Integrative Approach
I use an integrative, person-centred approach, which means I tailor therapy to each couple’s unique situation. I may draw on different models, including Transactional Analysis (TA) and RIGAAR.
RIGAAR focuses on what is not working in a person’s life rather than what is “wrong” with them. This may involve recognising essential needs that are not being met, or inner resources that are not being fully used, and then helping you address this.
Understanding Patterns and Emotions
I help couples explore why difficulties such as depression, anxiety, or conflict might occur, and how to manage them more effectively. Together we look at:
- Why things happen the way they do.
- The effects of your words, actions, and behaviours.
- Practical ways to cope and change unhelpful patterns of relating.
- When we develop greater self-awareness, we are better able to replace negative cycles with healthier thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
What Clients Say
Couples often tell me that I am empathetic, authentic, and non-judgemental. They feel supported while exploring their world and valued as individuals as well as partners.
Hearing each other’s stories is an important part of the process. Supporting personal growth within the relationship also helps strengthen the couple as a whole. When both partners feel balanced and understood, there is a greater sense of peace, harmony, and wellbeing.
👉 If you would like to make an appointment with Sara O’Donnell for relationship counselling in West Malling or online, please [click here] or use the Book Now button below.
