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 currently looking into venues for one-to-one indoor counselling sessions. I will also, excitingly, be scouting out potential locations for nature-based counselling! And longer term, I am looking into spaces (and eventually I hope funding) for group work, retreats and nature-based therapeutic workshops and practices.

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.

My practice is influenced by:

• Modern neuroscience

• Depth psychology

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

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

• Guided sensory and visualisation techniques

• 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

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.

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 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.