Sue

About Sue

I work with clients aged 18+ who may live overseas, and with those who live here in the UK. I am Degree qualified, accredited psychotherapist with core training in Person-Centred therapy. I am fully insured holding an Enhanced DBS check with eleven years of therapeutic practice. To ensure I remain ‘fit to practice’ I undertake regular supervision and ongoing professional development through training, workshops and reflective practice. Life often throws us challenges and often forces change that can seem unsurmountable. That sense of overwhelm, feeling stuck, a loss of direction and self-belief and confidence can be quite a mix. I know that it is a courageous step to begin therapy but, the place that you finish the work will be better than the place from where you started. Together, at your pace, we will explore what brings you to therapy and what you would love your outcome to look like. Sometimes we don’t know the answer straight away and that’s ok too. I offer a warm, steady space where you can feel held, seen, heard, understood and accepted as you are, while we gently work toward the changes that matter to you always in a safe, non-judgemental and supportive space.

My Approach

I will work alongside you, and our work together will be directed by you at your pace. I will invite you to give thought to what your counselling goal may be? Together, we will navigate your story exploring any events, themes, patterns or behaviours that may arise for you. Holistically, we will explore how your mind, body, emotions and environment may have impacted your wellbeing. Our work will adapt as your needs change and we will always work safely at a depth that suits you. Importantly, the therapeutic work often takes place outside of a session so we will keep track of those moments together.

Holistic & Mind–Body Perspective

I believe in human-flourishing; a desire to thrive rather than simply survive and I often bring the holistic side of my work to my client as a ‘life-review’. How are we taking care of ourselves in adversity and beyond? What is our sleep like? Our nutrition? How do we choose to relax? What is our breathing like? And how do we view ourselves? What labels or statements do we attribute to ourselves and why? Are they positive or negative? The mind-body connection is a powerful one where our thoughts, emotions and beliefs directly dictate our physical health. It’s no coincidence then, that our physical state profoundly influences our mental wellbeing. I know from my own lived-experience that stress affects immunity causing inflammation and suppression of our immune systems. However, relaxation practices such as h. I have worked with clients, often presenting with anxiety, where we have discussed the gut-brain axis and how the two are vitally connected. Put simply, we know anxiety can cause physical tummy aches and again, chronic gut inflammation. Quite naturally, this will contribute to mood changes and fatigue so awareness of the mind-body connection is pivotal in calming our nervous system. My own lived-experience as cabin crew for 30 years was one of sheer sleep deprivation. Guess what? When stressed or sleep deprived our nervous system goes haywire misinterpreting signals and amplifying pain. Working towards calming the mind actively regulates our nervous system and actually reduces pain.

What a session with me is like

In our first session together, this is our opportunity to see if we are both a ‘good fit’ to navigate the work ahead and an opportunity to ‘get to know each other’. We will discuss your ‘counselling goal’ and what outcome you may seek. I usually cover key items covered in our Counselling Contract such as confidentiality, session times, frequency, session length, cancellation policy, managing holidays/breaks etc. After that, we can discuss and understand any current challenges you wish to work through and what you want to achieve through therapy. It’s all very relaxed and there’s no special formula, we go at your pace always.

"It’s a huge step, a truly courageous one, to undertake therapy so I want you to know it’s completely normal to feel anxious or unsure about opening up to a stranger. My role is to put your heart and mind at ease as we settle into our session together. "

Sue