About Me

Sarah Cotillon

BA (Hons), PDGE, MCouns, MACA.

I am an experienced counsellor providing counselling services to adults, adolescents and couples in Melbourne and through Skype to country Australia and overseas clients...

I grew up in England and, over the past 30+ years, have lived and worked in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia. I am a mother of 4 grown up children.

After working in the corporate world, then in education, I retrained as a Counsellor to better put to use my extensive experience of people in different walks of life and of life’s challenges.

I hold a Master in Counselling degree from Monash University and am committed to lifelong learning and regular professional development.

I speak English and French and am a level 3 member of the Australian Counselling Association.

My Goal

My goal is to provide a safe Counselling space where, with confidence, ease and in complete confidentiality, my clients may experience the benefits of an empathic and authentic Counselling relationship.

Master in Counselling degree

Monash University, Australia

Bachelor of Arts (Hons)

Leeds University, UK.

Post Graduade Diploma of Education

The University of Hong Kong, HK

Basic Training

EMDR Institute of Australia & New Zealand

My Approach to counselling

Through my academic studies I have built up a solid yet flexible framework from which to practice.

My life philosophy is based on a belief that humans strive to self-actualise; that finding a meaningful way of living is of paramount importance; that through honesty and self-awareness individuals can make measurable improvements to their lives.

I incorporate aspects of the Humanistic schools of therapy (Person-Centred, Existential, Family Systems, Narrative Therapy) along with EDMR Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.

The process

At different stages of the counselling process I will utilise different skills (taking an integrative approach).

I will first work to build rapport and establish a strong therapeutic alliance so that emotionally the client feels safe enough to truly tell their story.

Later I will help the client gain deeper self-awareness, increase insight and access buried emotions. The client may be challenged to accept greater authenticity and adapt their view of themselves and of their history.

Clients may be encouraged to:

Reflect on their actions and thoughts and reveal suppressed emotions and hidden motivations.

Gain insights and develop awareness.

Move towards either change, flexibility or acceptance.

Consider the value and the meaning of their lives and choose a positive, productive existence.

Move on from pain, hurt and bitterness.

Respond to stress resourcefully.

Develop self-awareness to help build stable and rewarding relationships.

Combat depression, low mood and existential crises with new, positively oriented strategies.

Define life values and strengthen mature, morally based codes of behaviour.

Regulate emotions and desires.

Become assured and productive in the domains of family, relationships and work and better able to articulate emotions and thoughts effectively.

If the immediate presenting issues are more behavioural, (e.g. anger, low self-esteem, anxiety, sleep problems, eating disorders) then I will encourage the client to commit to CBT interventions, such as worksheets and thought/behaviour diaries to amend behaviour and raise awareness.

My approach will be specifically tailored to the client, their presenting issues and their goals; sensitivity to the client's needs is paramount.

Clarity Counselling Victoria