Sue Delaney
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This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
This professional is currently not accepting new clients at this time.
About me
Need help with anxiety, depression or prolonged grief? Or the lingering effects of difficult relationships or childhood experiences?
Perhaps you recognise yourself in thoughts and feelings such as "I worry all the time", "Why do my relationships never work out?", "I want to hide away from the world", "I'm too much for others", "I'm not good enough", "I feel so lonely" or "I don't know who I am any more".
Instinctively we all know talking helps, but when life overwhelms us, it may be hard to show those closest to us how we truly feel. This may leave us feeling alone and unsure of ourselves. At such times, having the clarity and support of a trained professional can make a difference.
When we grow up with emotional neglect, criticism, or experiences of mistrust, hurt and abandonment, we can be left with deep feelings of shame, emptiness or unworthiness that may echo into adulthood. Those wounds often fuel anxiety, low moods, depression, grief that feels impossible to move through, self-doubt or relationships that never feel safe or fulfilling.
What you can expect:
I am a qualified, compassionate counsellor and psychotherapist in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. At the heart of my work is helping you to change the relationship you have with yourself. I provide an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality, allowing time and space to understand what's going on for you – including the deeper patterns and painful beliefs shaped by past relationships – so you can begin to move forward.
I work with individuals aged 21+ on a one-to-one basis. Together we will work towards:
- managing anxiety & stress
- improving low moods & depression
- rebalancing after relational trauma, emotional neglect & abuse
- working through prolonged grief and accept loss & bereavement
- overcoming pervasive feelings of 'never being good enough' or believing you are 'too much'.
- building self-esteem & confidence
- developing healthier ways to relate to family, friends or work colleagues
- navigating family estrangement when bonds break down completely.
My core approach is psychodynamic. This means that, as we look at your current situation, we will also begin to identify and explore how your past experiences may be affecting your life today in ways that may not be immediately apparent. My work may also integrate approaches grounded in the understanding that trauma often lives in the body such as emotional regulation, Compassionate Inquiry and Parts Work (drawing on Internal Family Systems and inner child work) if and when this feels right for you. At times, this may bring up painful, confusing emotions – I will be alongside you to support you through this process.
It is important to me to be honest about what I do and don't offer. I don't give you specific solutions or tell you what needs to be fixed. Instead, I will help you find a path forward that feels right for you. This therapy may not be the right choice if you're unable to attend regular sessions or if you feel there's no value in exploring the meaning of previous experiences.
First meeting: I believe the quality of the therapeutic relationship between counsellor and client is key, so I suggest an introductory meeting. This lasts between 60 and 90 minutes and costs £60.
This is a conversation where we talk about your past and present experiences and what you hope to change. Above all, this is your chance to get a real sense of how I work, ask any questions you may have and to decide whether I am the right person to meet your therapeutic needs.
Many people feel some nerves about contacting a counsellor, and that's completely natural. If there's anything that would help you feel more able to attend, please let me know. Afterwards, you're welcome to take some time to think about whether you'd like continue onto regular appointments (£65 per session, usually weekly).
Therapy can be time-limited (usually between 12-20 sessions) – more suited for specific issues or life transitions; or ongoing over a longer term, particularly when working through relational trauma, complex grief or long-standing patterns of anxiety and depression.
To get started, message or call me with a brief outline of why you are seeking counselling and which days/times you are available. My usual work hours are Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-2pm
Training, qualifications & experience
I have completed extensive training accredited by the BACP:
- Post-Graduate Advanced Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling
- Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling
- Foundation Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling
I also have undertaken further trauma-sensitive training including:
- CPCAB Level 5 Award in Applying and Understanding Parts Work Theories including Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Dr Gabor Mate's Compassionate Inquiry (Short Course)
- Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Levels 1 & 2
- More Than Words - a polyvagal/body-guided workshop for regulating post-traumatic emotional states by Trauma Centre Manchester
I have practised clinically for 10 years (as both a trainee and post qualification). As well as my private practice, I previously worked for the NHS-funded IAPT Counselling for Depression service, in a GP surgery for a short time and within a Victims of Crime contract. I am a former Samaritans listening volunteer and held placements at two charitable counselling agencies during my training.
I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and I adhere to its' codes of ethics. My work is clinically supervised, I am registered with the ICO for data protection purposes and I hold an Enhanced DBS. I am committed to ongoing training and personal development.
Member organisations
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
Additional information
All concessionary rates are currently full.
When I work
While my practice is currently full, this may change from time to time so please do check back here for latest availability
My usual work hours are 9am-7pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-2pm Fri.
Further information
Choice of Appointments I offer face-to-face and online video sessions, and a blend of in-person and remote sessions if needed.
Relationship Therapy I work with you on an individual, one-to-one basis with the aim of developing healthier bonds with partners, children, parents or siblings. I do not offer couples/family counselling at this time.
