ren oates therapy

counselling in Sheffield and online

Hi, I’m ren (they/them). I’m a BACP registered therapist working with LGBTQIA+ folks in Sheffield and online.

Often people come to therapy at a loss. You’ve probably tried everything to change how you’re thinking, or feeling, yet still can’t find a way through. Despite your best efforts, it may feel hard to move forward in life. You might be experiencing anxiety or depression that just won’t shift, or perhaps you’re still deeply troubled by something that happened a long time ago, longing to be free of its grip.

I provide a space, away from the rest of your life, where you can really listen to yourself. To go deeper knowing that there is someone beside you as you feel difficult or frightening emotions. This process can be challenging, and deeply rewarding. I believe that when you can hear yourself with compassion, it can create a shift – so you can start living again.

Photo of Ren Oates, therapist in Sheffield

My Approach

Psychodynamic psychotherapy

Sometimes, the patterns of relating that we pick up in childhood can affect how we relate as adults. You might find this begins to hold you back. I’ll help you understand these patterns and develop compassion for the ‘you’ that needed them. This can allow you to let go of old ways of doing things and move forward.

Person centred therapy

Sessions are led by what you want to work on, putting you in the driving seat for counselling. I work with you to build trust and value in your own sense of things.

LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy

Counselling is most effective when you feel safe to be yourself.

I am non binary and queer. I care deeply about LGBTQIA+ justice and equity, and I welcome clients from across the gender, sexuality and relationship spectrum – whether you want to work on issues related being LGBTQIA+, or something else entirely.

What I can help with

I’ve worked with:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship challenges
  • Identity
  • Shame
  • Sexuality (including coming out) and gender identity
  • Difficult family relationships 
  • Loss, grief and bereavement
  • OCD and phobias
  • Chronic health conditions
  • Support for families of people experiencing addiction

Experience + Qualifications

  • I’m a BACP Registered Member
  • I have a CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

I’ve worked for the national mental health charity, Mind.

BACP Registered Member 402263 MBACP

Pricing

Counselling with me costs £60 for a 50 minute session.

I also offer 3 spaces at a reduced rate of £45 per session for people facing unemployment, low income or financial hardship.

Location

I work in person in Sheffield city centre, and online throughout the UK.

My counselling room is at Site Gallery in Sheffield, which is less than 5 minutes from Sheffield’s main railway station. I work with clients online via Whereby, a browser-based online video calling platform.

Address

Site Gallery
1 Brown Street
Sheffield
S1 2BS

Accessibility

My counselling room is on the second floor, accessible via lift (step-free). There are accessible toilets on the same floor as my room.

Small therapy room with white walls, dark grey carpet, 2 green armchairs, plants and a bookcase.

What to expect

First contact

If you like the sound of what you’ve read so far and would like to go ahead, the first step is to contact me. You can do this using the contact form below, or you can send me an email.

It’s useful, but not essential, to tell me a bit about what’s made you decide to look for support. You can also tell me if you want to work in person or online, and the dates and times you’re available.

Next steps

We’ll arrange a time to meet, and can either:

  1. book a full 50 minute first session (charged at my standard rate)
  2. schedule a free 20 minute video call to get a sense of what it might be like to work with me, before committing to a full session.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure what you want to get from counselling – we can work this out together in our first few sessions.

First session

It’s normal to wonder what might happen in a first session. Especially if you’ve not had counselling before.

There’s no one-size-fits-all, and all first sessions are a bit different. So I’m not expecting you to do or say anything in particular, and there’s no ‘getting it wrong’.

I’ll usually ask you to tell me more about what’s brought you to therapy. I might also ask you some questions about your life experiences and relationships, and what you want to get out of our sessions together.

Contact

The best way to get in touch is to email me, or use the contact form.

You can usually expect me to reply within 2-3 days.