Susan Whiting

There are periods in our lives when we might feel unable to manage or control our feelings and emotions as well as we would wish. This may be because we have experienced a loss or bereavement that is difficult for us to come to terms with or someone important in our lives has left or let us down in some way. These losses can leave us feeling anxious, stressed, angry, depressed or even suicidal. Many people experience repeated difficulties in relationships and don't understand what is happening.

You may have long standing problems which you would like some help to work through such as an eating disorder, continuing weight problems, or issues with sexuality or self esteem. Or life just may not feel good and you don't quite understand why.

Talking to someone in a confidential setting about your particular problem and how this is making you feel can and does help. 

I offer a safe, confidential space for you to consider what is worrying you and I can help you explore a way through these troubling times.  Working in an open-ended way allows space in these pressured times and time to reflect can be valuable in itself and may lead to substantial change and unexpected benefits.

In these uncertain times I am currently working online, and on the telephone although I hope to return to face to face working as soon as possible.  My core training is psychodynamic.

I am a fully qualified professional counsellor and psychotherapist since 2004, accredited with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and registered with the BPC, working with clients on a once weekly basis for either short term or open-ended counselling depending on individual needs.  In short term work we will agree together a finite number of sessions, always being aware of when the counselling will end.  Open ended therapy means that we will work together until you reach a point when you feel ready to end.  We will manage that together through the sessions.

My rooms are quiet and I aim to provide a peaceful environment where my clients can feel safe and contained in a confidential setting.

It is my practice to offer a first session as an appointment where the aim is for me to listen, hear, question and understand why you are seeking therapy at this time.  It is a time where I can explain what type of therapy I offer, how I work and crucially whether, having listened to you, I believe that working with me could be helpful to you.  It is also a session where you get to assess whether you feel that I am the right therapist for you and whether you feel comfortable talking with me.  In discussion at the end of the session we can consider how to proceed.  Because there is a lot to consider this session will be longer than the usual 50 minutes and may take up to 1.5 hrs.  I charge my usual session fee for this appointment.