A little about me and why I became a counsellor

I believe that feeling truly heard and understood can make a real difference when life feels difficult. Sometimes we can carry things for a long time, adapting to what life asks of us, until we reach a point where our usual ways of coping no longer feel enough.

My own experience of counselling was an important part of my decision to become a counsellor. When I was struggling with my own feelings and finding things difficult to manage, I found a therapist I connected with and felt comfortable talking to. Having that safe space to be open and honest helped me understand myself differently and get back on track.

That experience stayed with me and ultimately led me to retrain as a counsellor. It was a big decision to study while working full-time and raising a family, but I loved every part of my learning journey and knew I had found a path that felt right for me.

As a counsellor, I bring warmth, empathy and curiosity to my work. I don’t believe there is a “one size fits all” approach to counselling because we are all individuals with our own experiences and stories.

I am particularly interested in helping people understand the patterns they find themselves repeating - perhaps putting others first, struggling to set boundaries, seeking approval or feeling that they are never quite good enough.

Sometimes we know what has caused us difficulties, and sometimes we don’t. Together, we can gently explore your experiences, including earlier experiences that may have shaped the way you see yourself and your relationships today.

My role isn’t to tell you how you should live your life. It is to offer you a safe and supportive space where you can explore what feels right for you, at your own pace and without judgement.

Susan the person

Outside of my therapist role, I’m simply Susan.

I love being outdoors and walking my dog Nellie. Being in nature is my healing place - somewhere I can slow down, breathe and clear my head.

My indoor happy place is cake decorating and baking, which gives me the chance to be creative and completely absorbed in something different. I also love spending time with my family and friends.

I’m naturally quite sociable and love being around people, but I’ve also learnt that I need time for myself. Learning to recognise that need and set healthy boundaries has been an important part of my own journey.

After a lifetime of searching, I feel that I am finding my own happy - not because life is always easy or positive, but because I understand myself better and have learnt to make choices that feel more aligned with who I am.

I believe it is never too late to begin understanding yourself differently and to make changes that feel right for you.

If you’re thinking about counselling

You don’t need to know exactly what you need help with before you get in touch.

Perhaps you know what is troubling you, or perhaps you simply having a feeling that something needs to change. We can start wherever you are and explore it together.

I’d be happy to hear from you.