Sue Harman

As a Person-Centred counsellor and psychotherapist, I can provide you with a safe, non-judgemental, confidential space where I come alongside you to facilitate your own exploration. My hope for you, like all my clients, is that you flourish to become your best self ... who and whatever that may be.

The following is my story, I share this as this is the form of therapy I too now offer. Every story and life is different and rather than explain the theory of the Person-Centred Approach, my story gives a glimpse of how this therapy changes lives, including my own.

I trained as a therapist after a very successful teaching career. Even though I enjoyed my work I didn't feel free to be truly myself and felt that my past trauma and childhood abuse continued to have some control over my life. I'd previously experienced many different counselling types, both short and long-term therapy. They all helped me in some way but my life fundamentally changed with the experiences I had with a Person-centred counsellor. The difference was that this person really listened and it felt like they heard me. No matter what I shared, both the 'good' and 'bad', they accepted me. Somehow their genuineness came across and I knew they weren't judging me. Having their acceptance made me think that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't all bad inside and they helped me find the courage to really look at myself. It took time and a lot of hard work but I learnt to love and accept myself for who I am. They helped me listen to things I used to shame myself with and face things I thought I would always be afraid of. The relief I felt, and continue to feel, has been truly life changing. I feel like I'm free of all that held me back and am the person I choose to be, rather than the one I thought I ought to be. Now when things come up, I feel I can recognise them for myself and can work through them, no fear, no hiding, just acceptance and love for the person I'm becoming. I can finally say "Life is good!"

Clients often voice the need for advice or a quick way through, in order to avoid the sometimes painful aspects that can occur during therapy both in and outside of the therapy session. It is my belief and that of the person-centred community that direct advice or direction will rob you of the beneficial aspects of therapy. This lessens the long term effects and any change is short-lived. When we discover things for ourselves, we can truly change.

In our first session, after introducing myself, we'll discuss: person-centred therapy; our therapy agreement; confidentiality; GDPR regulations and if appropriate your hopes/goals for therapy. We both will know from this initial meeting whether we think we can work together. It is essential for therapy that there is mutual trust in our therapeutic relationship. That means, if at the end of the session you don't think I'm the right therapist for you, you do not need to continue working with me. Please don't worry about hurting my feelings in this, you must feel comfortable with your therapist or you won't want to bring your full self to these sessions. Likewise, if for whatever reason, I feel that I'm not the right therapist for you, I will let you know and provide some other potential therapists you could contact if that's what you wish to do. 

You can always ask any question or raise any concerns you have and we can discuss that, it is not restricted to just the first session.