Sue Griffiths
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Finding the right counsellor for you
People come for counselling for many different reasons - some are asking 'big life' questions, some have a sense that 'all is not right' in their world and feelings of sadness and/or anxiety, others wish to look at key life events, like loss or trauma. Finding the right counsellor for you is important and I hope that by sharing some information about me, both personally and professionally, you will feel able to decide if counselling with me feels right for you. I warmly invite you to visit my website where you will find additional helpful information about me and about counselling.
Who am I?
I am a Person-Centred counsellor, and as such I am interested in developing a warm, therapeutic relationship with you that embraces trust, safety, empathy, privacy, respect and regard so that you can fully and openly explore what is happening for you. I hope to create a sense of freedom from judgement, criticism and expectation so that you can search for and try to locate what it is that you really want or need in your life right now. I aim to provide an opportunity for you to try to make sense of your world and to work towards making the right changes for you, or towards accepting the things that perhaps you are unable to change. So whether you are experiencing anxiety, panic, depression, relationship issues, or significant life events that may limit who you are and how you live, I look forward to the opportunity of being alongside you as your counsellor as you consider new ways forward and different ways of engaging, living and growing.
Where am I?
My practice is based in central Sherwood, Nottingham and there is plenty of local parking. There are buses from the city centre to Sherwood every 10 minutes, and the nearest stop to my practice is the Haydn Road bus stop. I am few minutes walk from here - and if you're early or fancy a brew after your appointment, there are some great coffee shops nearby. Alternatively, you may wish to attend your sessions online video (I use 'whereby' which is very similar to Zoom), or by telephone thereby saving time and travel and this may feel more comfortable for you. I am certified and qualified as an online and telephone counsellor.
Sessions
I offer one hour counselling sessions - currently I am counselling via Zoom and phone, however I may have some face to face availability. I also offer a free 30 minute initial appointment. It is important that you feel comfortable with your counsellor and that you can talk openly and share some difficult issues with them – and this free session offers you an opportunity to check out your sense of ‘does this feel right for me’. Within Person-Centred counselling you can work at your own pace and your counselling will take the direction and time of your choosing. I offer short and long term counselling, and you can end your counselling at any point that feels right for you.
A Little History...
Prior to my counselling training I worked with Women's Aid for many years supporting women and children who were experiencing domestic violence and abuse. I also worked with housing issues in the voluntary sector offering resettlement and tenancy support to those struggling with housing, homelessness and tenancy difficulties.
Training, qualifications & experience
I trained at the University of Nottingham and hold a first class BA (Hons) in Humanistic Counselling Practice.
I also have a Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (80+ hours of training) aligned with the BACP online and phone therapy (OPT) competence framework assuring you of good practice.
With 17 years counselling experience, I am a registered and accredited member of the NCPS (registration/membership number NCS23-01406), and a member of ACTO (Association for Counselling and Therapy Online).
I am also registered with the ICO (Information Commissioners Office) - reference no ZA327807, and I am fully insured to practice.
I have experience with the following:
- Counselling Xtra offering counselling to clients who have courageously brought differing, diverse and sometimes complex issues to counselling. This has included clients referred by the Family Intervention Project.
- I have also counselled at Rape Crisis (now known as Nottingham Sexual Violence Support Services) and therefore have experience of working on a crisis helpline, and counselling adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence, rape and post-traumatic stress.
- I worked as sessional counsellor with the Carers Federation offering counselling support for carers, both adults and young people, who were struggling with issues of caring, loss and identity. I also provided staff counselling.
- In 2014 I set up in independent practice and really enjoy the autonomy and the diversity of my work.
- I work with clients, and with a number of students who are studying for a counselling qualification and who wish to engage in counselling for personal development, and to fulfill their counselling course requirements.
Some of the workshops and training events I have attended include:
- Mindfulness
- Grief and loss
- Menopause
- Dealing with Distress: working with suicide and self harm
- Safeguarding
- Bereavement
- Working creatively with clients
- Honour based violence
- Domestic violence and abuse
- Rape and sexual violence
- Dissociation
- Trauma
- Anger, rage and shame
- Living with chronic / long term health issues
- The autistic spectrum and therapy
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
The Association for Counselling and Therapy Online
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Fibromyalgia
Living with chronic, long term health issues
GSDR (Gender, sexual and relationship diversity)
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free initial 30 minute appointment as an opportunity for you to explore face to face, online and telephone counselling. It also provides some time for you to see if you feel comfortable with me and to ask any questions.
If you decide to continue, my counselling fee is £50.00 for each 1 hour session, though I will always consider affordability and your ability to pay - so if you wish to discuss your fee and explore options, you're very welcome to do so.
I have a few general concessionary places available if you're on benefits and/or a very low income so please feel free to ask. Please be mindful these spaces tend to book up quickly.
If I am unable to help for any reason I can signpost you to agencies that may be able to offer you counselling at lower rates.
When I work
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I am can offer counselling appointments Mondays to Thursdays inclusive. Both daytime and evening appointments are available.
Further information
I am passionate about counselling practice and theory, and my areas of interest include trauma, ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, (CFS), Fibromyalgia, and living with chronic / long term health issues. I am interested in working with, and learning more about GSRD (gender, sexual and relationship diversity), and I embrace equality, diversity and inclusion. I also hold a real interest in therapy and social change/action, combined with politics and a sense of social responsibility.
I warmly welcome counselling enquiries from all individuals and communities. and I particularly welcome clients from within the LGBTQ+ communities.
Counselling Supervision
I have a Post-Graduate (PG) Certificate in Counselling Supervision and so I also offer person-centred supervision to counselling practitioners. I invite you to take a look at my supervision profile.
Contact me
You are very welcome to contact me by telephone, email or via my website if you have any questions or if you simply want to say ‘Hello’ before making your decision.
FinaIly, I wish you all the best in your counselling journey.
