Wild Reed Psychotherapy and Counselling

06/06/2026

If you’re curious about why your mind does what it does (the spirals, the reassurance‑seeking, the “just in case” behaviours) then the Disordered podcast is an excellent place to start.
It blends solid psychology with a very human tone, making complex ideas feel accessible and hopeful.
I often recommend episodes to people who want to understand their anxiety without judgement or pressure.

It covers a wide range of topics that many people quietly struggle with, including:

Intrusive thoughts - why they happen, why they feel so sticky, and how to relate to them differently

Compulsions and mental rituals - the subtle ways we try to feel safe, and how they keep us stuck

Reassurance seeking - from Googling symptoms to asking loved ones for certainty

Avoidance patterns - the everyday behaviours that shrink our world without us noticing

Health anxiety and the fear of “missing something important”

Relationship anxiety - including fear of abandonment, doubt, and over‑analysis

Perfectionism and the pressure to get everything “right”

Uncertainty tolerance - learning to live with the unknown

Nervous system responses - understanding why your body reacts before your mind can catch up

What I appreciate most is how normalising it is. There’s no shaming, no pathologising - just clear explanations, practical tools, and a sense of “you’re not broken - you’re human.”

If you’ve been wanting to understand your anxiety in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming, this is a thoughtful place to begin: https://www.disordered.fm/

02/05/2026

I often recommend ‘Come As You Are’ by Emily Nagoski to clients. I’m sharing it here because I was reading it again yesterday, and I was reminded how it’s one of the most well-written, compassionate books on female (cis-gender) sexual wellbeing. What I also appreciate is how Nagoski’s narrative voice achieves a tone that reduces shame rather than adds to it.
This is one of the most validating, myth-challenging books out there.

05/04/2026

🌿 When life shifts, even quietly, it can leave us feeling unanchored. My latest blog explores that tender in‑between space where the old story has ended, but the new one hasn’t yet found its words.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re standing in a doorway between who you were and who you’re becoming, you’re not alone.
In this piece, I explore:
✨ the quiet ache that change can stir
✨ the pull toward old patterns
✨ the discomfort of not knowing what comes next
✨ how therapy can gently hold you while you find your footing again
You don’t have to rush your becoming. You don’t have to have a map.
You’re allowed to pause, grieve, rest, and grow slowly.
If this resonates, you can read the full blog here:
https://www.wildreedtherapy.co.uk/blogs/when-life-changes-learning-to-breathe-in-the-in%E2%80%91between
And if you’re navigating your own in‑between, you’re welcome to reach out when you feel ready. You don’t have to walk it alone.

Hi, my name is Sara Whittaker. I am a Gestalt counsellor and psychotherapist working in Reading, Berkshire. Contact me for more information on how we can work together.

20/03/2026

So many of us carry shame quietly, believing it’s ours to manage alone.
It shows up in the way we shrink ourselves, apologise for existing, or worry that if people really knew us, they’d leave.

I wrote this piece because shame is something I meet so often in the therapy room, and something I known personally too. You were never meant to carry that weight by yourself.

If any of this resonates, I hope these words help you feel a little less alone, and a little more understood. 💛
Read the full blog here:
Understanding Shame: The Quiet Weight You Were Never Meant to Carry

Hi, my name is Sara Whittaker. I am a Gestalt counsellor and psychotherapist working in Reading, Berkshire. Welcome to my website. Contact me for more information on how we can work together.

07/03/2026

Low self‑worth doesn’t always show up as obvious insecurity.
Sometimes it looks like overthinking everything you said, feeling “too much” or “not enough", apologising when you’ve done nothing wrong or working incredibly hard yet never feeling good enough.
These patterns don’t appear out of nowhere. They’re often shaped by early experiences of criticism, emotional distance, having to be the “strong one,” or learning that your needs didn’t matter.
If you relate to this, it isn’t a personal failing. It’s a response to what you lived through.
Therapy can help you gently unlearn these old stories and begin building a kinder, steadier relationship with yourself. You don’t have to do that alone.

If this resonates, you can read the full blog here: What Low Self-Worth Really Looks Like - Link in the Comments

Let me know what you think!

14/02/2026

Do you feel devastated by feedback or criticism at work?

Even constructive comments can sometimes feel like a personal attack, triggering self-doubt and anxiety. It is easy to become trapped in a cycle of self-blame, but it is important to recognise that there is a way forward. Therapy offers a path to build resilience and self-assurance, helping you to interpret feedback as a tool for growth rather than a reflection of your worth.

Remember: You are not defined by your mistakes. Equally, you are not defined by your successes. Your worth as a human being stands independent of achievements or financial gain within our capitalist society. It is possible to be satisfied with your whole self, separate from what you accomplish or how much money you earn.

I spent many years feeling unworthy in the corporate workplace, even when my career appeared successful to others. Change was forced upon me, and I am so grateful because now I have the opportunity to do something I truly love - connecting with and supporting others as they navigate their own unique workplace challenges.

Ready to take the next step? Message me to book your first session or to find out more about how therapy can support you.

30/01/2026

Such a great resource if you’re local to Reading ❤️

February at The Studio is an invitation to slow down, soften and reconnect. 🍃

This month we’re offering a small selection of thoughtfully held sessions — from sound and breath to gentle movement and deep rest — each designed to support steadiness, presence and nervous system ease:

✨ 10 Feb — Soundbath with Lorena Rodrigo

✨ 27 Feb — Breathwork & Yoga Nidra with Ann-Marie James of Evolve (online & in studio)

✨ 28 Feb — Soft Landing Mini Retreat with Tessa Venuti Sanderson

All sessions take place in our calm, welcoming space in Reading, with time to arrive, settle and leave feeling nourished.
You’re warmly welcome just as you are.

23/01/2026

The Power of Metaphor in Therapy

In therapy, words are more than just tools - they’re bridges to deeper understanding. Research shows that metaphors help clients and therapists connect beyond logic, tapping into the complex, ineffable aspects of human experience. As a therapist I use metaphors to guide imagery work, storytelling, and even strategic interventions for trauma and anxiety. These creative expressions allow clients to relinquish certainty, risk curiosity, and discover new meanings in their journey.

While I am familiar with this, its effectiveness became especially evident to me during a recent session. I found myself struggling to articulate my thoughts and feelings. My therapist used a metaphor about the challenges of choosing items from a restaurant menu; and suddenly my words flowed and we spent most of the session playing creatively with the idea of different restaurants, different menus, and nourishment and pleasure in food. Nothing about what I was exploring was literally related to resaturants, menus or food!

In the therapeutic relationship, meeting in metaphor can be a moment of true connection, where meaning emerges and healing begins. If you’ve ever found comfort in a story or clarity in a symbol, you’ve experienced the power of metaphor.

18/01/2026

Reminding myself today of the power of gentleness, and of the heart’s immense capacity for love 💗