About Us
Meet Sara and Laila…
Sara Ward and Laila Hamade are qualified and registered BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) therapists who have joined forces to create something truly special: therapeutic retreats that offer women the chance to heal, grow and rediscover themselves in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Together, they bring over thirty-five years of combined experience working in mental health across the NHS, Local Authority, Higher Education and private practice. Both are deeply committed to helping women navigate relationship breakdowns, trauma and the journey back to self - and they understand that real, lasting change comes from doing meaningful therapeutic work in a space where you feel truly held and understood.
Their collaboration is built on a shared belief: that healing happens not just through expert guidance, but through connection, compassion, and the power of women coming together to support one another. Sara and Laila's complementary approaches - integrating trauma work, mindfulness and relationship-focused therapy - create a rich, holistic experience that addresses both the emotional and psychological aspects of your journey.
Sara Ward
Sara is an accredited EMDR Therapist and BACP Registered Counsellor with over twenty-five years of experience helping people work through emotional and psychological difficulties. Her background spans psychology, counselling and mental health social work, giving her a uniquely comprehensive understanding of what it takes to heal from trauma and relationship breakdown.
Sara's approach is integrative and holistic. She recognises that true healing involves the whole person - understanding the mind-body connection is essential to her work, and she believes that emotional wellbeing cannot be separated from physical experience. She draws from years of training and experience to find the best way to support you, whether that's through EMDR for trauma processing, Internal Family Systems, person-centred counselling, or creative techniques including art and visualisation. She believes in meeting you where you are and tailoring her approach to what you need most.
Currently running a private practice, Sara has helped hundreds of people move forward to happier, more fulfilling lives. She's committed to her own ongoing development, regularly updating her skills and knowledge to ensure she can offer the most effective support possible.
Sara holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, an MA in Social Work and a BSc (Hons) in Ayurveda. She's also a registered Counsellor (MBACP), an accredited EMDR Therapist and adheres to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
Laila Hamade
Laila is a qualified and registered BACP Counsellor who specialises in working with individuals and couples navigating relationship challenges. With over ten years of experience in mental health across various settings, she brings a warm, mindful presence to her work - creating a space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and supported.
Laila's training is in humanistic therapies and at the heart of her approach is a core belief: you are the expert on yourself. Everyone has the ability to achieve their goals with the right support and Laila's role is to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your own wisdom and strength.
She integrates different therapeutic approaches and has a particular interest in Internal Family Systems - understanding the different parts that make you who you are. Laila is also training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), further expanding her toolkit to support clients working through trauma.
Mindfulness is woven throughout Laila's work. For her, it's not just a technique - it's an interpersonal way of being with clients that cultivates acceptance, empathy and genuineness. This mindful presence helps create the therapeutic relationship where real healing can unfold.
Laila holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling, an MSc in Health and Social Care Management and a Certificate in Couples Counselling. She continues her professional development through regular training and courses, ensuring her practice evolves to best serve the clients she works with.