Sarah Masin

A conversation with Sarah Masin

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  My path into counselling grew from my own experiences of navigating difficult relationships, loss and the transition to parenthood. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the difference it can make to feel heard, understood and supported without judgement.
  
  My work with Lifeline further strengthened my desire to support people through challenging times. I was drawn to counselling as a profession that makes room for people's stories while helping them develop greater self-understanding and find a way forward.
  
  Today, I value the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and couples as they explore their experiences, strengthen their relationships and work towards changes that matter to them.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  My professional development has been shaped by person-centred and humanistic approaches, particularly the belief that people have the capacity for growth when met with empathy, acceptance and genuine understanding. I see counselling as a collaborative relationship in which clients bring valuable knowledge of their own lives.
  
  Attachment theory also informs my understanding of how early experiences and relationships can shape our sense of safety, connection and self-worth. In couples work, this perspective sits alongside my use of the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy.
  
  I value curiosity over assumptions and consider each person's relationships, circumstances and lived experiences. These influences guide me to adapt my approach to the person, their needs and what matters to them.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I am particularly interested in how people navigate connection, change and their sense of self. In relationships, I am drawn to understanding how couples become caught in painful patterns and how they can develop greater emotional closeness, understanding and trust.
  
  I also have a strong interest in ADHD and executive functioning, particularly how challenges with organisation, task initiation and emotional regulation can affect confidence, daily life and relationships. I value helping people understand their experiences with greater compassion and find approaches that work for them.
  
  Other areas close to my heart include pregnancy, postpartum adjustment, loss and the changing identity that can accompany parenthood. Across my work, I am interested in how people make sense of difficult experiences, recognise their needs and build lives and relationships that feel meaningful to them.

• What methods do you use?

  I use an integrative, person-centred approach, tailoring counselling to each person's needs, goals and circumstances.
  
  In couples counselling, I draw on the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). These approaches help partners understand recurring patterns, explore the emotions beneath conflict, strengthen friendship and develop more supportive ways of communicating.
  
  In individual counselling, I draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-informed perspectives and schema-informed strategies. Together, we may explore patterns of thinking and behaviour, clarify values, practise emotional regulation skills and develop practical ways to manage everyday challenges.
  
  For ADHD and executive functioning concerns, I incorporate psychoeducation and collaborative strategies for organisation, task initiation and overwhelm. Throughout our work, I welcome feedback and adapt our approach to what feels helpful and manageable.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Progress looks different for everyone. Some clients may feel an initial sense of relief from being heard and having space to talk openly. For others, trust and understanding develop gradually before changes become noticeable.
  
  Early signs of progress might include recognising a familiar pattern, responding to yourself with more compassion, managing a difficult moment differently or having a more constructive conversation with your partner. These small shifts can be meaningful, even while challenges remain.
  
  I regularly check in with clients about what is helping and whether we are moving towards their goals. There is no fixed timeline, and we can adjust our approach together as your needs become clearer.
  Just remember - progress is not a moment, it's a trajectory.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has given me space to better understand my experiences, recognise patterns in relationships and respond to myself with greater compassion. It has helped me reflect on my needs and boundaries, particularly during difficult experiences and significant life transitions.
  
  Being in the client’s seat has also deepened my appreciation of the vulnerability involved in reaching out. It reminds me how important it is to feel heard, respected and able to move at your own pace. I carry that awareness into my work, creating space for clients to explore their experiences without pressure to have everything figured out.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I value most is the opportunity to build a trusting relationship where people feel comfortable being themselves, including the parts they may usually hide or struggle to put into words.
  
  I find meaning in witnessing moments of understanding: someone recognising their needs, responding to themselves with kindness, or a couple beginning to hear each other differently. These moments can be quiet and gradual, yet matter deeply.
  
  It is a privilege to be invited into someone’s story and to support them as they discover what feels right for their own life.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Absolutely. Like anyone, I have days when I feel tired, overwhelmed or things don’t go to plan. Being a therapist doesn’t mean having life figured out or being immune to difficult emotions.
  
  For me, it’s about recognising those moments and responding with care. I value reflection, supervision and looking after my own wellbeing so I can be present for my clients. My own humanity reminds me to meet other people’s difficult days with warmth and understanding.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  I think one of the most significant challenges we face is disconnection—from ourselves, from one another and from a sense of belonging. Despite the many ways we can communicate, people can still feel lonely, unheard or under pressure to appear as though they are coping.
  
  Financial pressures, inequality and uncertainty can make it harder to find the time, safety and support we need. I don’t believe these difficulties can be solved through individual effort alone.
  
  In my work, I see the value of making room for honest conversations, listening with curiosity and responding with compassion. I believe connection grows when people feel their experiences matter and they don’t have to face everything alone.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  There is an incredibly sad song I used to resonate with on a deeply personal level. “Mind Is a Prison” by Alec Benjamin. To me, it captures the experience of feeling caught in your own thoughts—overthinking, questioning yourself and struggling to find some distance from what is happening internally.
  
  It reflects something I value in counselling: creating space to understand our thoughts with compassion and explore how we relate to them. Sometimes, change begins with feeling less alone in what we are experiencing.