Welcome to Cardinem
Cardinem
… for the turning point of your life
Established in 2024, Cardinem is a counselling and coaching practice that offers a safe and confidential space to discuss your issues, concerns, aims, and objectives with a trained professional.
Counselling vs Coaching
Differences between two key forms of support ~
- Counselling ~ focuses on emotional well-being and mental health concerns. It provides a safe space to explore and address past traumas, emotional struggles, and psychological problems. Counsellors offer empathy, attentive listening, and therapeutic techniques to help individuals manage and overcome emotional difficulties.
- Coaching ~ can play a vital role in helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and realise their aspirations. By offering structured support, accountability, and expert guidance, the coach empowers clients to make meaningful changes and lead fulfilling lives. The impact of a life coach can be transformative for those seeking personal growth and development.
The success of either depends on a collaborative relationship between the counsellor or coach and the client, aimed at improving overall well-being, recognising what is holding you back, and helping you move forward.
Cardinem ~ Counselling
People from all backgrounds and nearly every age may seek counselling. No matter your circumstances, talking to someone impartial ~ someone who is not emotionally involved ~ can be helpful.
People consult a counsellor for many reasons. Some come with a specific problem; others feel that something is not quite right, even if they are not exactly sure what it is. Some attend in a crisis. Others use counselling alongside other tools to navigate life.
Counselling allows you to step back from your situation and see it with fresh eyes. It provides a safe, private, and supportive environment where you can explore difficult, complex, or painful issues at your own pace.
It is often easier to open up to a stranger than to family or friends, especially about sensitive or personal matters. You might not want to burden loved ones, particularly if they are facing similar issues or are personally involved. Sometimes discussing sensitive topics can feel awkward or embarrassing, and you may fear being judged or shamed.
Talking with a trained counsellor is different. I do not know you, but I will listen without judgment or opinions about what you should do. I will not provide answers or try to solve your problems. Instead, I will support you as you find your own way forward, whatever that may be.
I will give you whatever you need, including time to explore your emotions. I offer a space where you can see your problems from a different perspective, always with respect and understanding for you and your story.
Pluralistic approach
I adopt a pluralistic, or integrative, approach to counselling, combining multiple therapeutic methods and techniques as appropriate.
Short and long-term therapy
I offer short and long-term therapy ~ and will work with you until you are ready to step away.
Types of therapy
Person-centred, Psychodynamic, CBT, Integrative and Transactional Analysis.
Working with my clients
- I tailor my approach to meet your needs and preferences rather than strictly adhering to a specific theoretical framework.
- Therapy is goal-oriented, aiming to achieve meaningful outcomes for you. Together, we identify your goals and decide how to reach them.
- This client-centred approach is flexible and individually customised, ensuring you receive the most effective and personal support possible. Together, we regularly review progress and adjust our plans accordingly.
- My work is evidence-based. At the end of any programme, you and I can reflect on the progress made towards your counselling goals.
I work with adults of all ages and offer daytime and early evening appointments in a comfortable room in Wakefield city centre. Therapy can be conducted face-to-face or via a video link, whichever you prefer.
I have a particular interest in male mental health, an area that is currently underrepresented in the counselling services available.
Areas of experience include ~
- Abuse, addiction or self-harm
- Anger, guilt or shame
- Bereavement, loss and transition
- Depression or suicidal ideation
- Domestic abuse, domestic violence or coercive control
- Family matters or relationship concerns
- Stress, anxiety or low self-esteem
- Work-related problems
Getting started
I offer a free 15-minute introductory call to get to know each other and explore potential collaboration.
Our first session
This introductory session, along with completing a Client Information Form, provides a good framework for how we might work together. During this session, we will discuss what brought you to therapy and what the tipping point was that led you to seek support.
Each counselling session lasts 60 minutes.
Cardinem ~ Coaching
Coaching offers many benefits for those seeking personal and professional growth. It also helps individuals clarify their short- and long-term goals and develop suitable strategies to achieve them.
I focus on two main areas of coaching:
- Life Coaching ~ helps individuals gain clarity and create meaningful lives. Coaches support clients across a range of areas, including personal development, relationships, career changes, and work-life balance.
- Career Coaching ~ assists those seeking guidance on their career paths. It helps clarify career ambitions, explore new opportunities, and design strategies for career progression and fulfilment. This may include outplacement support.
Coaching principles and outcomes
Coaching principles provide a foundation for growth and help clients achieve their desired outcomes. Key principles and outcomes include personal accountability, fostering self-awareness, enhancing emotional intelligence, setting and achieving goals, and improving work-life balance.
Psychometric assessments
Psychometric assessments are valuable tools in coaching. They offer numerous benefits and provide an objective, standardised way to evaluate an individual's abilities, interests, personality traits, and values, thereby reducing bias and subjectivity. These assessments increase self-awareness by exploring individuals' strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and values, enabling them to manage their career paths more thoughtfully.
Psychometric assessments simplify career exploration by providing a structured way to identify career options tailored to individual results. Using these insights, career counsellors can identify potential career paths that align with people's interests, skills, and values.
The insights gained from psychometric assessment are vital tools for decision-making across different scenarios, such as switching careers or pursuing further education or training. By offering clarity and guidance, these assessments help individuals make well-informed choices about their futures, leading to fulfilment and success.
Psychometric assessments available
I offer a range of affordable online and supervised assessments that I administer, score, and interpret, including:
- Personality profiling (OPQ32), focusing on preferred workplace behaviour.
- Myers-Briggs (Steps One & Two) is a globally recognised development tool.
Getting started
I offer a free 15-minute introductory call to get to know each other and explore potential collaboration. We can work together face-to-face or online via a video link, whichever you prefer.
Each coaching session lasts 60 minutes.
Cardinem ~ About Me
Sarah-Jane O’Brien
BSc (Hons); MNCPS (Acc.); Dip CH; MCIPD
I am a Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Coach, and hold a
- A BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Counselling
- Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Certificate in Transactional Analysis
- Diploma in Coaching Practice
In addition, I hold BPS Level A (aptitude and ability tests) and Level B (personality profile) qualifications. I am trained in several psychometric tools, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (Steps 1 and 2), the 16PF, and the OPQ.
I am a Chartered member of the CIPD. In my early career, I was a senior HR practitioner, working for several private (UK-based and international) businesses and non-profit organisations before establishing my own HR consultancy in 2009. My business and functional background has given me a wealth of experience and the relevant skills for coaching.
I am registered with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), one of the UK’s leading organisations for counselling and psychotherapy. Membership number NCS20-01221.
I hold an Enhanced Criminal Records Certificate Number 001956172610.