Sara McGuirk
Stockport,UK
Summary
Dedicated therapeutic practitioner with expertise in play and creative arts therapy, online counselling, and trauma-informed care. Skilled in safeguarding, child protection, and adult mental health management, with a specialisation in working with children and young people. Experienced in risk assessment, multi-agency collaboration, and clinical supervision, along with a commitment to staff training. Focused on BACP ethical standards and enhancing therapeutic report writing for better clinical supervision and outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Private Practice Therapist
Self-Employed
Greater Manchester, Cheshire
01.2022 - 07.2025
- Delivered short- and long-term therapy for adults facing complex challenges.
- Conducted in-person and online sessions employing integrative, person-centred approaches.
- Maintained ethical records in accordance with BACP confidentiality standards.
- Supported clients through emotional transitions using grounding techniques and psychoeducation.
- Engaged in regular supervision to uphold safe practice and professional standards.
School-Based Counsellor
Private Practice
Greater Manchester , Cheshire
09.2021 - 07.2025
- Delivered one-to-one and group therapy through play, creative arts, and person-centred methods.
- Attended PEPs, CORE Groups, and Child Protection Conferences to ensure effective collaboration.
- Authored therapeutic reports for IROs and provided termly updates for schools.
- Facilitated weekly staff debriefing sessions and reflective consultations to promote professional development.
- Conducted training sessions for staff on mental health and trauma-informed responses.
- Contributed to school-wide wellbeing policy revisions based on staff feedback.
- Maintained robust safeguarding practices and fostered inter-agency collaboration.
- Monitored client progress regularly by conducting follow-up meetings.
- Educated families about mental health conditions, increasing understanding and empathy.
- Advocated on behalf of clients to secure resources and support services.
- Referred clients to additional services when necessary, broadening support network.
School Project Manager
Place2Be
Oldham, Lancashire
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Directed delivery of mental health services while supervising 15 placement counsellors.
- Revised safeguarding procedures during COVID-19 and initiated comprehensive staff training.
- Supported implementation of school policy changes informed by safeguarding trends.
- Facilitated reflective practice sessions across teaching and pastoral teams.
- Secured buy-in from all stakeholders with persuasive presentations of benefits of proposed changes.
- Integrated new technologies into existing systems for improved functionality.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships through regular updates and clear communication.
Child Therapist
Off the Record
Greater Manchester , Cheshire
09.2019 - 09.2020
- Delivered creative, person-centred therapy to children and young people.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify client needs and concerns.
- Supported emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and resolution of peer conflicts.
- Transitioned to telephone counselling during COVID-19 lockdown.
- Collaborated with designated safeguarding leads in schools for ongoing practice reviews.
- Maintained confidentiality of client data according to ethical guidelines.
- Worked across various primary and secondary school settings to enhance service delivery.
Crisis Management Therapist
Anthony Seddon Fund
Greater Manchester , Cheshire
04.2019 - 09.2020
- Delivered community-based therapeutic support to children, young people, and families.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify needs and concerns of clients.
- Performed risk assessments and coordinated with external services, including CAMHS.
- Ensured confidentiality of client data in compliance with ethical guidelines.
- Assisted clients facing mental health crises by facilitating access to resources for safety.
- Provided necessary support and guidance to families throughout the process.
- Executed crisis interventions during emergencies to ensure protection and safety.
Volunteer Counsellor
Off the Record
Greater Manchester , Cheshire
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Delivered integrative counselling to young people and adults, fostering trust and openness.
- Offered crisis intervention strategies during critical incidents to minimise risk of harm.
- Maintained confidentiality of client information, demonstrating professional ethics and respect.
- Contributed to service evaluation while attending supervision sessions for ongoing improvement.
Volunteer Counsellor
Place2Be
Greater Manchester, Cheshire
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Conducted one-to-one therapy for children facing anxiety, trauma, and attachment issues.
- Utilised child-led play therapy techniques to address peer difficulties.
- Participated in regular supervision with project manager to uphold best practices.
- Maintained accurate records in compliance with BACP regulations.
Teaching Assistant
Tameside Council
Greater Manchester , Cheshire
01.2013 - 08.2016
- Provided one-to-one and small group support for SEN and SEMH pupils.
- Conducted assessments to evaluate student understanding of subjects.
- Collaborated with teaching staff to organise school events and promote community spirit.
- Managed administrative tasks to ensure efficient class operations.
Prison Custody Officer
HM Courts Service (GeoAmey)
Greater Manchester, Lancashire
03.2008 - 08.2013
- Ensured safety and wellbeing of detainees in court settings through vigilant monitoring.
- Monitored inmate behaviour, addressing any signs of aggression or distress immediately.
- Conducted frequent welfare checks to safeguard prisoner wellbeing and provide assistance as needed.
- Maintained a secure environment by enforcing prison regulations and procedures consistently.
- Performed risk assessments for potential security breaches, bolstering overall safety measures.
- Managed report writing and record keeping, ensuring accurate documentation of all incidents.
- Cooperated with colleagues during shift handovers to ensure seamless continuity of care.
Education
Certificate in Clinical Supervision - Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone Working Course
Counselling Tutor
UK 04.2025 -
BSc (Hons) - Counselling and Psychotherapy in Professional Practice
University of Salford
Salford 09.2016 - 08.2019
Level 1 Telephone Counselling - Telephone Counselling
Counselling Tutor
UK 05.2020 - 05.2020
NCFE - Supporting, Teaching and Learning in Schools
Tameside College
Ashton-under-Lyne 09.2011 - 06.2012
Skills
- Therapeutic work in schools and private practice
- Play and creative arts therapy
- Telephone and online counselling (Level 1 certified)
- Child and adolescent therapy
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Adult mental health: trauma, anxiety, grief
- Risk assessment and multi-agency liaison
- Clinical supervision (Level 6 in progress)
- Staff training and reflective consultation
- Therapeutic and Progress report writing
- PTSD management
- Autism interventions
- Anxiety management techniques
- Trauma-informed care
- Risk assessments
Websites
Custom
- Safeguarding Children and Young People, Ongoing, 01/18, Present
- Keeping Children Safe in Education, Ongoing, 01/18, Present
- Working Together to Safeguard Children, Ongoing, 01/18, Present
Affiliations
- Hiking, pole strength and conditioning
Certification
IARTT
IARTT International Association Rewind Trauma Therapy International Association Rewind Trauma Therapy Issued Oct 2019
TA101TA101
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELATIONAL TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSISINTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELATIONAL TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS Issued Jul 2019
Accomplishments
Recognition for Preventing Prisoner Escape and Drug Smuggling
Awarded commendation for successfully preventing a prisoner escape and intercepting drug smuggling activities within the court dock of HMCS. Demonstrated exceptional vigilance, quick decision-making, and adherence to security protocols under high-pressure circumstances.
Safeguarding Leadership at Place2Be
Whilst working at Place2Be as School Project Manager, I implemented necessary changes to the risk assessment process due to the high demands of serious safeguarding concerns raised in the service at the school I managed. I helped get the school staff trained to risk assess students, which led to changes in the school policies.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Certificate in Clinical Supervision - Clinical Supervision Including Online and Telephone Working Course
Counselling Tutor
04.2025 -
Private Practice Therapist
Self-Employed
01.2022 - 07.2025
School-Based Counsellor
Private Practice
09.2021 - 07.2025
School Project Manager
Place2Be
09.2020 - 09.2021
Level 1 Telephone Counselling - Telephone Counselling
Counselling Tutor
05.2020 - 05.2020
Child Therapist
Off the Record
09.2019 - 09.2020
Crisis Management Therapist
Anthony Seddon Fund
04.2019 - 09.2020
Volunteer Counsellor
Off the Record
01.2018 - 01.2019
Volunteer Counsellor
Place2Be
01.2018 - 12.2018
BSc (Hons) - Counselling and Psychotherapy in Professional Practice
University of Salford
09.2016 - 08.2019
Teaching Assistant
Tameside Council
01.2013 - 08.2016
NCFE - Supporting, Teaching and Learning in Schools
Tameside College
09.2011 - 06.2012
Prison Custody Officer
HM Courts Service (GeoAmey)
03.2008 - 08.2013
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