Susan Ridge

I have 18 years experience working as an NHS counsellor and I also have a general and psychiatric nursing background.

As well as working in the NHS, I've also worked as a student counsellor, as a counsellor for a local community centre and for an occupational health organisation working with work related stress. 

I have a wide range of experience in counselling and supervision.  I'm here to support you so that you can make change happen.  The counselling session is your time to discuss what you want to in your own way.  It provides the space for us to develop a strong therapeutic relationship which can become the foundation for change as we work together.

During our first session we’ll begin to identify and explore what has been troubling you. You’ll be able to decide how much you want to tell me at first - it’s important that you go at your own pace. 

I’ll also tell you about myself; the way I work, my theoretical approach, my professional background and experience as a counsellor.

We’ll assess how you feel at the moment, how long you’ve felt like this and if you’ve felt like this before. We’ll check that my way of working as a counsellor is the right one for you. If not, I could suggest which type of therapy might be more appropriate and how to find that.

We’ll discuss how many counselling sessions may be required and how often we should meet, taking into account your thoughts and feelings about this and what happens if you need to cancel or you do not attend. We’ll also discuss and agree on fees and how they should be paid. This will all be covered by a contract which also discusses issues related to confidentiality and privacy. And you can ask me any questions about our contract at any time; I’d really want you to feel clear and happy with it. 

I qualified as a supervisor in 2000 and have 17 years' worth of experience of working as a supervisor.  I am a person-centred supervisor and offer supportive and non-judgemental supervision.  I aim to provide a space where you can safely discuss and explore your work with clients.

I have experience of working with both qualified and trainee counsellors.

I have taught on counselling courses and have written articles for publication on counselling.