Online Counselling Courses, CPD & Resources for Counsellors
Wisdom • Warmth • Integrity
Welcome to The Grounded Counsellor
Hello, I’m Sandra Hawes, a registered counsellor (MBACP), writer of Holding the Circle, and course creator.
My career has included working in schools, private practice, wellbeing settings, therapeutic groups and women’s circles. Along the way, I’ve learned that qualification is only the beginning. Confidence grows through experience, reflection and finding your own authentic way of practising.
The Grounded Counsellor was originally created to bridge the gap between training and practice, offering practical, ethical learning to help counsellors, therapists and community gatherers grow with confidence, integrity and warmth.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your practice and skills, you’ll find books, courses, resources and guidance to support your journey.
Holding the Circle by Sandra Hawes MBACP
Holding the Circle is for anyone who facilitates therapy groups, support groups, workshops, community circles or reflective conversations, because the way you hold a space matters as much as what you do within it.
Drawing on her experience as a counsellor and group facilitator, Sandra Hawes MACP explores the qualities that create groups where people feel safe enough to speak honestly, listen deeply and connect authentically. Combining psychological insight with practical wisdom, she shows that effective circle holding is not about having all the answers. It is about cultivating the presence, integrity and relational awareness that allows others to flourish.
Warm, thoughtful and deeply grounded in lived experience, Holding the Circle offers guidance, encouragement and reflection for both new and experienced circle holders. More than a practical guide, it is an invitation to become the kind of person who can hold others carefully, with compassion and humanity.
This book grew partly from professional experience, from years of sitting in circles and from an ongoing search for spaces where honesty feels safer than performance.
Sandra Hawes
ISBN 978-1-06683-771-7
Available August 2026.
How Can The Grounded Counsellor Support You?
Professional Development for Counsellors
The Grounded Counsellor provides practical, ethical and accessible learning for counsellors at every stage of their professional journey.
Whether you’re considering training, preparing to start private practice, exploring outdoor therapy or looking to develop your skills further, you’ll find courses, resources and reflections designed to help you build confidence without losing sight of what matters most.
Everything I create combines professional knowledge with real-world experience, helping you navigate the practical challenges of counselling while staying grounded in compassion, integrity and good practice.
Online Courses, Resources & Books
The Grounded Counsellor offers self-paced online courses and downloadable resources for counsellors at every stage of their professional journey.
Whether you’re preparing for private practice, exploring outdoor therapy or developing your skills, you’ll find practical learning rooted in real experience and good practice.
New courses and resources are added regularly.
Why Choose The Grounded Counsellor?
It takes more than qualification to become a confident counsellor. The Grounded Counsellor was created to bridge the gap between training and practice through accessible, ethical learning rooted in real experience.
Whether through online courses, downloadable resources or Holding the Circle, everything is designed to help you develop professionally while staying true to your values.
Explore topics Including:
- Starting your counselling career
- Building confidence in private practice
- Outdoor therapy
- Therapeutic groups
- Women's circles
- Professional development (CPD)
Questions? Get in Touch
If you'd like to know more about my online courses, downloadable resources, professional development opportunities or Holding the Circle, I'd be delighted to hear from you.
Whether you're looking for guidance before purchasing a course or have a general enquiry, please complete the contact form and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
The Grounded Counsellor supports counsellors across the UK and beyond with accessible, self-paced learning designed to fit around your professional life.