Susan Varbanova

Availability and Access

I offer counselling appointments Monday to Friday, from 8:30am to 6:00pm.

Online counselling:

Available throughout the UK, offering flexible support from wherever you are.

Face-to-face counselling:

Available in Portland, Dorset.

I aim to make counselling as accessible, inclusive, and welcoming as possible. I recognise that everyone has unique needs and circumstances, and I will do my best to accommodate these wherever I can.

If you have any specific requirements, accessibility needs, or questions about how we can work together, please feel free to get in touch. I am happy to discuss any adjustments that may help you feel more comfortable and supported in the counselling process.

Hi I'm Susan

I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step. You may be struggling with anxiety, relationship difficulties, loss, low self-esteem, life changes, or feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from yourself. You may know what you would like support with, or simply feel something isn’t quite right. Whatever brings you here, you are welcome.

I believe each person experiences the world in their own way, and I take time to understand your perspective.

How I work

My approach is collaborative, grounded in person-centred values and shaped around your individual needs, exploring what feels most important for you.

Clients often share how valuable it is to have a space where they can speak openly without judgement or feeling they need to have everything together. My aim is to build a warm, trusting relationship where you can bring whatever is on your mind, at your own pace.

Together we can explore not only current difficulties, but also the experiences, relationships, emotions, beliefs, and values shaping how you feel today. Often it is not just the story itself, but the patterns, feelings, and ways of relating that emerge.

As we talk, I may gently invite curiosity about what you notice in the moment. We can explore thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences, deepening understanding of what may be underneath. We may also notice patterns, emotional responses, or bodily sensations that may be communicating something important.

Because everyone is different, I adapt how I work to suit you. Some find it helpful to reflect and process, while others prefer a more creative or exploratory approach. Together we can find what feels most supportive and a way forward to reach your desired outcome or goal for seeking counselling. 

My hope is that through our work, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, strengthen your relationships, and feel more able to move forward in a way that feels right for you.

Practice and Expectations

When you get in touch, I will respond to arrange a free 15-minute consultation so we can briefly connect, explore what has brought you to counselling, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. This also helps us consider the most suitable way of working for you.

Face-to-face sessions will take place in a warm, private and comfortable home office in Portland. The space is quiet and confidential, helping you feel at ease so you can speak freely.

Online sessions offer flexibility and accessibility. I will ensure you feel comfortable with the platform and go through confidentiality so you feel confident your space is secure.

The first session includes a gentle assessment to understand what is going on for you, what has brought you to counselling, and to ensure the work is appropriate and safe. It is also a chance to begin getting a sense of what it feels like to talk together.

Sessions are 50 minutes, usually weekly, with a review around four weeks.

At the beginning of our work, we will agree a clear working contract, including confidentiality, boundaries, and how we will work together, creating a shared understanding of the space.

My approach is integrative and grounded in person-centred values, meaning the focus is always on you, your experience, and your pace. I may draw on Gestalt, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Transactional Analysis, Solution Focused Therapy, or CBT, depending on what feels helpful. These can support awareness of patterns, emotions, relationships, and coping strategies, and may include creative or reflective ways of working.

Ending is an important part of the process. Where possible, we will plan this together, allowing time to reflect, recognise change, and bring the work to a supported close.

My practice is supported by regular supervision, and I work in line with the ethical standards of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. I keep brief, factual notes in accordance with GDPR, stored securely.

Your First Session

Your first session is a space to begin gently exploring what has brought you to counselling and what feels most important for you right now. You may arrive with something clear to talk about, or you may still be finding your words, both are welcome.

At the beginning, I will briefly go through our working agreement (contract), including confidentiality, boundaries, and how we will work together. I will also complete a short assessment to help understand your current situation and ensure counselling is appropriate and safe. There will be space for any questions.

From there, the session is yours. You can talk at your own pace while I listen closely and support you to feel heard and understood.

My aim in this first meeting is to help you feel safe, supported, and not alone with what you bring. I will stay alongside you, helping to hold the session in a steady way, especially if things feel difficult or overwhelming.

Where helpful, I may offer simple grounding or coping strategies you can take away with you, to support you between sessions and into the week ahead.

As we come towards the end, I will gently bring the session to a close, summarising where appropriate and checking in with how you have found it. This helps you feel contained and ensures nothing is left too open.

Overall, the first session is about beginning a relationship where you feel met, heard, and supported, and where we can start to walk alongside what you are carrying at a pace that feels right for you.