My Approach

Hi, my name is Sue (she/her),

As an integrative psychotherapist I am informed by attachment theory, body psychotherapy, contemporary relational theory, existential and spiritual concepts and the learning of sitting with people in distress, trying to find a way through.

Over the years of my practice I have developed a therapeutic approach which fits me, and enables me to bring something which is uniquely me as a therapist. If you chose to work with me I hope you would find me warm, open, interested. I am passionate about what I do, and care deeply for the people I work with.

I am interested in meeting you, just where you are, bringing curiosity to what it is that makes you uniquely you. I will notice, and follow what needs to be said, how it needs to be said, allowing and understanding the feelings which arise from that, facilitating a space where you can just be.

I am informed by the idea that in negotiating life we develop patterns of behaving which don't always serve us, indeed to the contrary serve to disconnect us from ourselves. We fire fight; we grit our teeth; we try to control our external world; we withdraw and shut down; we over-give, over-endure, and absorb blame; we diminish ourself in the way we talk to ourself - not an exhaustive list - but none good ways of dealing with our distress, or of engaging in our life in ways which offer us choice or flexibility.

My approach will guide you to understand these go to patterns. When do they serve? When do they restrict? Where can you make different choices? In the stripping back of these defensive patterns we make space for ways of living which feel more truthful and authentic to you, developing a resilience for the uncertainty life inevitably brings, but still, each day, to wake up, take a breath, and step into a life you curate rather than simply respond to.

About Me

I offer face to face sessions in Brighton, and online sessions to people around the UK and internationally. Most commonly, although not exclusively, I work with people long term.

As a child I had a recurring thought that I was adopted, somehow I didn’t quite feel like I fitted in my family, and being adopted made something make sense. I wasn’t adopted, but something of the experience of not belonging has driven a curiosity throughout my life.

I’ve worked in the Criminal Justice System, in charitable organisations and in private practice, bringing me into contact with a wonderfully diverse group of people. I find that diversity stimulating. If we allow ourselves to not other the other, not use our sameness and difference to assume we know or don’t know, there feels huge potential to be known in our uniqueness, and to find acceptance and belonging in our difference. And to know, however diverse the paths we’ve trodden, there will always be many cross overs, points of sameness, uniting us in our joint humanity.

Regardless of who you are, or what you bring this openness to knowing, and not rushing to assume I know, underpins how I work, and what I understand to be healing. We all get battered and bruised in different relationships in our life, yet we also heal in relationship.

If you choose to work with me, collaboratively we will build a therapeutic relationship in which you can trust to be truly known. In doing so you will start to trust noticing over fixing, tending to what really matters to you, giving space to all the feelings which are stirred in that, meeting yourself with more compassion, dignity, acceptance and hope.

I work with

• Companies
• Individuals
• Private healthcare referrals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Integrative Psychotherapist