Susan Furmage

Life has a way of getting on top of us sometimes – throwing one thing after another our way, until it all starts to feel too much. Maybe you’ve been thinking “I don’t know who I am anymore” or perhaps you find yourself questioning every life decision you’ve ever made. Counselling can give you the time and space to pause, reflect, and consider how you might like to move forward. My aim is to provide you with a welcoming, supportive space, free of judgement, where you can feel safe to talk about whatever is on your mind.

As a counsellor I have worked for an NHS GP practice, a national charity and a local community interest company – all offering general counselling services to clients confronting a wide range of issues. Many of my clients have identified as neurodiverse.

I have a Master’s degree in Clinical Counselling (Distinction) from the University of Chester. My Master’s research focused on the ability of women who are mothers to speak openly about the challenges of motherhood and the societal pressures women face to be a “good mother” – subjects I am passionate about both personally and professionally.

I took a long and winding road to arrive at my current role as counsellor, so I understand that life is not always straightforward. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre and worked as an actor before spending over two decades working in advocacy-related roles within the charitable sector, both here in the UK and in the United States. In other words, I know from experience that we don’t always end up where we thought we were heading when we first started out. It was, however, during my training as an actor that I first learned the skills of listening attentively, feeling deeply, and responding genuinely and authentically to the person opposite me – qualities that now serve me well as a Person-Centred counsellor. 

My counselling practice is Person-Centred.

Person-Centred counselling is rooted in two intertwining principles: that everyone has the capacity to grow and flourish when presented with the right conditions, and that each person – and no one else – is the expert on their own unique life. As a Person-Centred counsellor, I will always respect you as the person who knows you best. Our conversations will be guided by you and go at your pace.

I offer face-to-face appointments in a comfortable therapy centre in Hoole, just outside of Chester. My counselling room is on the ground floor.

Counselling sessions are 50 minutes in length. My fee is £50 per session and can be paid either by bank transfer or in cash on the day.

Issues I can help with include (but are not limited to):

• Lost sense of self

• Low self-esteem

• Anxiety

• Loneliness

• Grief

• Depression

• Relationship challenges

• Feelings of general overwhelm