About me

Hello and welcome. I’m Susie and I am an Integrative Psychotherapeutic counsellor, which means I have training in the 3 main schools of thought: Psychodynamic, Humanistic and Cognitive; with a particular interest in childhood attachment. How we experience childhood can have a lasting effect into adulthood. I believe a neglecting, abusive or traumatic childhood can affect our thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the present. Adults who have ever experienced abuse or neglect are more prone to stress, mental health problems and addictions. Constant stress can affect all bodily systems, and lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, pain, fatigue and digestive issues.

I have experience in working with childhood trauma and abuse, and working with some of the resulting coping mechanisms that can seem to make life more bearable (for example binge eating, drinking or purging). Coping mechanisms are a survival technique, and a way of managing difficult thoughts and feelings. We can explore behaviours that are no longer helping, or may have become destructive, and find ways to help you replace these with healthier ways of coping, and relieve your anxiety. I work in a trauma-informed way, and my training and continuous professional development reflect this.

I work holistically, so not only do I work with thoughts and feelings, but I also consider the often neglected body and ‘spiritual’ aspects of self (spiritual can also mean things that bring you joy), as well as current and past relationships, and your present and childhood environments.

Some of the techniques I may use are: mindfulness, grounding, and breathing techniques for anxiety; examining learned patterns of thinking and behaviour and their resulting coping mechanisms; ways of relating to others and self; early experiences that may have shaped your world view.

I have three years experience working long term with mental health issues at Mind, and three years experience working with disordered eating at an eating disorders charity (Eating Matters).

I am fully qualified with an honours degree in Integrative counselling, I am a member of UKCP and BACP counselling standards, and I am fully DBS checked. I am insured to work with adults 18+

My practise is professional, confidential and ethical. I am supervised to UKCP & BACP standards. I regularly undertake continuous professional development.

I came to the profession by sitting in the client’s chair myself, and embarking on my own journey of healing and self-awareness. I believe in the power of a supportive and nurturing environment so much, that I would like to offer the same to you.