Counsellor and Supervisor
Welcome to Sophie Therapy
Here to Listen
I work with care and compassion, bringing ideas and experience to help you explore the challenges you face
Where I work
I have a quiet garden office in Twickenham for face to face counselling or a room at the practice rooms in the centre of Richmond. I also offer online counselling and on the telephone if preferred.
Sitting in a safe place with someone who is really listening and truly hears you can mark the beginning of a new way of feeling and living. Expert person-centred counselling is a vital part of mental health support, helping you navigate these difficult emotions and experiences. You can make a difference to your own life.
'What makes the night within us may leave stars.'
Victor Hugo
Who I Am
Counselling Approach
Counselling can be a transformative experience, often being the first time in your life when you feel truly heard and have the opportunity to express yourself authentically. This process can help you uncover the reasons behind your feelings and behaviour patterns, empowering you to understand why you feel the way you do and giving you the choice to make positive changes.
I am an accredited integrative therapist and supervisor with a strong focus on person centred counselling, I also incorporate cognitive behavioural therapy techniques and psychodynamic theory depending on what works best for you and your needs. I offer art materials which can be helpful for self expression if desired.
Remember, you are not alone. Sometimes, the simple act of sharing your thoughts and feelings can profoundly impact how you perceive yourself and motivate you to take the next steps forward.
Therapy
How does conselling help?
Anxiety, fear of judgement, low mood and lack of motivation are among the most common and uncomfortable emotions we may face at various points in our lives. With the help of person centred counselling, you can regain the motivation, perspective, confidence and joy that you once experienced, or start to feel it for the first time.
Adults, Young People and Children
I listen in a warm, non-judgemental, safe environment to provide support for young people and adults facing challenges such as despair, frustration, loneliness, loss, health-related issues, low self-esteem, and stress. The idea of my person-centred counselling approach is so that your needs are prioritised.
Supervision for Counsellors and Psychotherapists
I am an Integrative Supervisor with a person centred approach. I can help with building skills and working with theories, giving space and time for reflection on yourself and your practice. Sessions are also about your own psychological support, as well as helping you maintain ethical and accountability in your profession.
I work with students, newly qualified or experienced counsellors and psychotherapists
Sessions can be online or face to face
Qualifications
I am a qualified counsellor and an accredited member of the British Association for Psychotherapists and Counsellor working in private practice for over 7 years. I offer expert and empathetic mental health support for age groups from 9yrs - 99yrs. I am listed on the Private Practice Register for clients whose insurance is with Aviva, Axa, or Vitality.
I am also a qualified Supervisor for Counsellors and Psychotherapists working
both online and face to face.
My experience includes working with Richmond Carers, providing adult counselling and support for those caring for others, and Place2Be, where I provided play therapy in the school for children struggling with difficult experiences and emotions. I hold a post-graduate degree in Psychology and Education. I have taught in mainstream secondary and special needs settings at primary schools across England, and a year in a French International secondary school. I also worked as an assistant producer for 5 years at the BBC in the Features and Documentaries department on programmes like Crimewatch, Esther and Watchdog.
Sophie Therapy: Client Feedback
Counselling Testimonial
My counsellor was Sophie Benton and she was very understanding, great at listening and giving me advice and reiterating our discussions. She made me feel comfortable and confident again and she is very knowledgeable. I'm happy she was my counsellor.
Counselling Testimonial
I feel very lucky to have been offered counselling and Sophie was an incredible help. Having the opportunity to voice my anxieties and worries about my situation made a huge difference. I really don't know if I would have stayed on my feet without her.
Counselling Testimonial
Sophie's gentle, non-directive, supportive manner helped me to address some very difficult issues and find ways through and create strategies and boundaries for the future. She is very special.
Supervision Testimonial
Sophie was very easy to talk to, and I really valued the supportive and open space she created. I particularly enjoyed her integrative approach, which encouraged me to think more broadly and consider perspectives I hadn't explored before.
I felt that Sophie genuinely invested in my development as a practitioner. She was very generous with her knowledge, regularly recommending books, resources and ideas that supported my learning and helped me to continue developing both personally and within my practice.
I really appreciated that Sophie recognised and acknowledged the significant impact that all aspects of counselling training can have on you, not just professionally but on several different levels personally and emotionally. I felt understood in this, and I valued having a supervisor who recognised the wider journey of becoming a counsellor, rather than focusing solely on the practical or academic aspects of the training.
Her encouragement, knowledge and willingness to share resources have given me a lot to reflect on and continue exploring, and I feel that her supervision has contributed meaningfully to my growth and development as a practitioner.