Susan Howard
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This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
I have been working as a counsellor since 2005, qualifying as a person-centred counsellor. The person-centred approach offers authenticity, empathy and acceptance. When you are met by attentive listening, with compassion and without judgement, you can start to be honest with and accept yourself.
I wholeheartedly believe in what this type of counselling can offer, having had first hand experience. Counselling has helped me with many struggles, including depression, anxiety and unhappiness in relationships.
My approach
I perceive counselling as a positive collaboration - counsellor and client working together. I don't presume to know you better than you know yourself. Instead we will work alongside each other as you find your way.
Counselling can be transformative, changing the way you see yourself and how you live your life. And it can meet more modest, but also satisfying, goals, like finding ways to say ‘no’, stopping a behaviour or habit that’s troubling you, or dealing with painful emotions.
Sometimes, it's just about getting through a very difficult time, and having someone be there, to listen.
Taking the first step
You might not know what kind of counselling is for you, or even whether counselling is for you at all. It can be intimidating to take the first step.
Please email or call if you have any questions. A first appointment is also a chance to see if we’re comfortable working together and whether my approach suits you.
What is a counselling session like?
In our appointments, I will invite you to share whatever is bothering or absorbing you. We will work together to explore your feelings, at your pace. I will not judge you, or tell you what to do; this is a place for you to make sense of your experience and therefore move forward.
Sometimes words fall short, and if you prefer to express yourself with images, you can use art materials. Working in this way can provide an outlet for deeply felt issues which are hard to talk about.
As your counsellor, I would be there to support you through difficult situations and experiences, helping you find answers that feel right for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am an accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (www.bacp.co.uk) and I subscribe to their ethical framework: www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework/.
I worked from 2005 to 2014 at Camden, City, Islington and Westminster Bereavement Service, providing long-term counselling for the bereaved.
I also undertook a year's placement for the NHS for the St John's Way Medical Centre (2006).
Qualifications: BSc Psychology, PhD Social Psychology, Diploma in Humanistic Counselling, Certificates in Person-Centred Counselling and Person-Centred Art Skills.
For more information about the person-centred approach to counselling, see The Person-Centred Association (www.the-pca.org.uk).
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.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
50 minute session: £50-£70.
Concessions are available depending on your circumstances.
When I work
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At the moment I am unable to book in new clients.
