Sue Hannay

Introduction

I am an experienced relationship counsellor, with an MA in Relationship Therapy.  I have worked with hundreds of individuals, couples, young people and families to improve their communication and understanding of each other and themselves.

Nobody likes being stuck in life and not knowing how to move forward.  Through counselling I can help you understand your current patterns, emotions, thoughts and behaviours and identify your strengths, resilience and resources to build your preferred future.

By seeking a qualified person to talk to, you have taken the vital first step to making some changes to your life.

I am non-judgmental, caring, empathetic and down-to-earth.  My conviction is that communication is the key to a more harmonious life and I love working with people to help them reach their full potential.

During this period of COVID-19 I am seeing clients online, via Zoom, Facetime or Whatsapp or by telephone.

Who Can I Help?

Whether you are single, married, in a civil partnership, living together, divorced, LGBTQ or straight, I can support you as you meet the challenges that life throws at you and become stronger.

I work with clients of all ages: teenagers and young people, adults starting out in life to those in retirement.

Couples: Many couples find themselves in similar situations.  Their relationship started out so well and then one day that connection has gone.  Couples often describe to me repeating patterns of behaviour that seem difficult to break.  Listening to and understanding each other becomes almost impossible.  But exploring your issues through counselling, in a safe and confidential environment, can enable you to find a way forward.

Individuals: When life gets tough, talking things through in a confidential and safe environment can help you move forward. I work with individuals to explore issues that are relationship based. This might involve relationships from the past or present day. Often anxiety, depression and lack of self esteem can be traced back to difficult feelings from historic relationships with parents, step-parents or ex-partners. These emotions can keep us stuck. I can help you explore your present day patterns, emotions, thoughts and behaviours and help you identify your strengths, resilience and resources to build your preferred future.

Young People: Growing up is not easy and young people often face challenges that can be difficult to handle. It’s not always possible to find someone to talk to, and problems which are bottled up can seem to grow bigger and bigger. Sharing your feelings through counselling can enable you to work through your problems, build your confidence and help you find ways to move forward with your life.

Families: Sometimes families find it hard to communicate and can even reach a point where communication stops altogether.  Families can be loving and supportive, but sometimes the stresses and strains of everyday life makes this ideal difficult to achieve.  Individual family members can feel isolated, rejected, sad or angry.  Counselling can help explore these difficult issues in a safe environment and help families re-connect.  When family members are given a chance to share their feelings and feel heard much healing can take place.

How Do I Work?

We will discover what your challenges are through conversation, questioning and creativity and together identify new ways of going forwards.  I work collaboratively and transparently exploring with you the best ways of working – what works well for you and what is less helpful.

I am an integrative counsellor, predominantly using the following therapeutic models:

• Systemic (looking at patterns of behaviour, values and beliefs within your family, friends, society, cultural identity and how this impacts you)

• Psychodynamic (looking at your ‘internal world’ of behaviours, feelings and emotions that are both conscious and unconscious and the impact of early relationships and experiences)

• Solution focused (working collaboratively to focus on your goals, building on your strengths to bring about change)

• CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) - (working with thoughts, emotions and behaviours and how they effect each other)

The First Session

The first session is an exploratory one to understand what has brought you to counselling and what your hopes are.  At the end of the session we will decide together the best way forward.  There is no obligation to continue with counselling.  It is important that you find the right solution for you.

More About Me

I have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and private indemnity insurance.

Prior to training as a counsellor I worked in marketing, both for a global London firm and later as a Director of a local organisation.  I also have had experience of volunteer work in the education sector.  This has given me a real understanding of some of the work-life issues clients can face and how this can impact on their lives.

Location and Access

The property is 5 minutes walk from Petts Wood Train Station and local buses.

There is free parking at the property.

There is easy access, with facilities on the ground floor.

I also offer online and telephone counselling.

Couple

Relationship

Fees are £60 per 50 minute session for individuals and £70 per 50 minute session for couples.

I offer a limited number of sessions at reduced rates for young people and those with restricted income.

Payment by BACS, cash or cheque only.  There is no credit/debit card  facility.

Cancellation policy: Please give 48 hours’ notice of cancellation, otherwise the full fee will be due.

Payment is due in advance or on the day of the session.