Welcome to Wild Emergence

I am currently in a period of transition - after relocating back to my beloved 'soul home' of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire. Here, I am enjoying once again walking in the hills and steep wooded valleys with their twisty oak trees and rolling waters, and dreaming in to developing my practice as a new and growing venture. I am offering one-to-one indoor counselling sessions. I will also, excitingly, be scouting out potential locations for nature-based counselling or 'walk-and-talk' therapy! And longer term, I am looking into spaces (and eventually I hope funding) for group work, retreats and nature-based therapeutic workshops and practices.

My practice is influenced by:

• Modern neuroscience & nervous system health/awareness

• Attachment and relationship-focused approaches, including working with relationship wounding and trauma

• Somatic body-based healing for trauma care and nervous system soothing

• Depth psychology & 'parts' psychology

• Buddhist mindfulness practices (and wider buddhist psychology/ethos)

• Animist & shamanic healing practices

• Guided sensory and visualisation techniques to explore, for example: conflict, indecision and to understand and more safely feel our emotions,

• Eco-psychology (the concept of human health and the health of nature as linked and mutually life-enhancing)

• Incorporation, where appropriate, of the arts, story-telling or therapeutic writing

• Social justice & working towards the decolonisation of my practice

How do I work - or what to expect when working with me?

I am person-centred and work from a trauma-informed and relational/attachment approach. This means collaboration with you is central to how I work. We will work at a pace that you can manage and feel comfortable with, whilst allowing for challenge and change, where you invite that. Any practices or healing processes introduced or explored will be discussed, and you will have full control over when & how this happens.

My background and previous work:

I previously worked for over a decade as a Therapeutic Gardener & Educator in urban gardens, schools, medical centres and community spaces. My work was linked with NHS-funded health and social wellbeing projects. This experience I blend with counselling, for those who wish to take their therapeutic journey outdoors.

I am also a Shamanic Practitioner & Animist Guide; trained in cross-cultural and ancient healing practices, grounded in the northern lands and the ecology and folklore, magic and story, that we find here - in the modern age, as well as historically. Please note: I am not offering shamanic healing work yet, but I welcome enquiries from individuals drawn to this element, or who would like to bring these existing interests into therapeutic work.

Who do I work with?

I am open to working with anyone who is drawn to me. I often work with individuals who do not easily fit into social expectations, labels (of identity, diagnosis or imposed upon them) or 'belief systems'. Individuals who feel a tension between what the outside world expects, sees or asks of them, and their true, natural way of being and living. People who struggle with belonging or self-acceptance, or who carry shame for their ways of being and living/feeling.

Some are (or seek to become) change-makers, activists, care-givers, healers, visionaries, creatives, innovators of all kinds. They may often be recovering from 'giving too much' or caring for the state of the world or others close to them; with detrimental affects on their own health, dreams and wellbeing. They may sensitively feel the outer world, as well as their inner emotions deeply. They may have relied on coping strategies to get by and function, or numb or slow down from their overwhelm e.g. addictive or compulsive behaviours. They may need support with managing their sensitivities and sense of 'not belonging''.

Therapy may help them in discovering and living more from their sense of Self, which may be hidden in survival or 'fitting in' for others. It can support them in finding peace and contentment, working through shame or fear. A big focus of my work can also be to aid individuals in forming fulfilling relationships, or applying healthier boundaries for their needs and energy.

Those who identify as neurodiverse in some way make up many of my clients, as do those who are LGBTQIA+ or who intersect with several identities.

I frequently work with people who have experienced relationship-based (or attachment: childhood-rooted) trauma, loss and bereavement, or those who are exploring intimacy in all kinds of relationship; including sexual and romantic. I frequently work with people who are undergoing significant life changes that encompass / impact multiple parts of their life.

I work with people of all ages and background, and welcome specific enquiries unique to your situation.

Investing in you - is also investing in the world around you & a healthier life for all of us:

I have learnt this from my 20 years of personal and professional healing work and environmental activism: Investing in emotional, relational and spiritual health contributes to the health of the wider world, to creating robust and truly accepting communities, and to weathering and even thriving in the challenges of our times (rather than being consumed or overwhelmed by them). The quote below from one of my favourite writers & wisdom keepers reminds me of this:

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”

―Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

Does any of this peak curiosity? Is there something pulling you towards working together, even if you notice some apprehension or nervousness? Perhaps some, not all of it, speaks to you - that's fine too! A free consultation call may help you decide...

I welcome enquiries about any of this, to see what may best support your needs at this time, with no obligation. Just click on the golden button below my photo here, to contact me directly with your thoughts or queries.

My current counselling session fees are here.

See here for my Affirmative Counselling statement. As a queer-run venture, I aim to create a comfortable and affirmative space for marginalised identities and experiences. I am proud to live and work in an LGBTQI+ affirmative community, and offer my venture for all.

Your Journey Begins Here - with Sarah Fay, Counsellor & Ecotherapist, Educator & Founder of Wild Emergence

My Qualifications and Experience

I graduated with an MSc in Integrative Counselling, awarded a distinction from Bangor University, in 2023. I am a registered professional with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society: the NCPS, who check all practitioners for training & ethical practice.

I have undertaken personal study and training in areas such as: neurodiversity, somatic therapy, trauma including complex trauma, LGBTQIA issues, decolonising therapy, therapeutic writing, attachment and relational therapy, addiction and mindfulness. I work part time as a Specialist Mental Health Mentor for university students with disabilities. I am qualified under Twobirds of Embracing Shamanism, as a Shamanic Practitioner since 2019.

I also hold a prior MSc in Environmental studies, with a research specialism in human health & the health of the environment. This was through food growing and community ownership of wildlife-friendly gardens and green spaces. This became my work for over a decade.

Wild Emergence - A New Venture:

Wild Emergence is born from my personal healing journey, as well as my vision for therapy as a bridge connecting the human and natural worlds; improving quality of life for all beings. The newly-hatched moth logo on the main homepage symbolises rebirth and renewal - after going through deep change in their cocoon, they are reborn with a beautiful new form, in their own time. This reminds me of my own healing journey, and themes that arise with my clients.

I currently work one-to-one with individuals. I intend to expand more offerings to groups. Do you have some land or a suitable, accessible venue for small groups or one-to-one therapeutic working? Please get in touch!

It is my vision to 'grow' Wild Emergence and to collaborate with other practitioners (of diverse, yet complimentary fields or approaches) to offer workshops and retreats, as well as campaigning and educating for improvements to mental & emotional health provision - if this is something you are interested in - please contact me to start a conversation.