Susan Muir - MBACP (Accred)

Are you experiencing emotional distress or pain in your life, of any shape or form? Are you at the point of longing for professional help to address this? If this is you, don't give up, read a little bit more.

I work from a purpose built counselling room in my garden-its a quiet peaceful space. I offer the opportunity to develop a therapeutic relationship where together we can make sense of your distress or pain. The relief that can be gained from telling our story to someone who is completely committed to hearing and making sense of it, is immense. It is so powerful that it naturally leads to the possibility of choices and change. I repeatedly see this in my client work- how powerful it can be to be in a counselling relationship where the focus is solely on you and whatever difficulties you are experiencing, free from judgement and criticism.

I am creative in my way of working and draw on my experience in life both personally and professionally. This includes my initial training as a Psychiatric Nurse and my knowledge of Mental Illness; being part of a Social Work Team and in Palliative Care. I particularly welcome clients who are experiencing mental illness, who have been on psychiatric medication that they might like to come off or who would like to explore their mental illness from a counselling perspective rather than a medical model. I believe that many psychiatric illnesses are a result of early experiences and trauma. My counselling experience tells me that the more that these experiences are explored, the greater the possibility  is of improved mental health.

I have been in Private Practice as a Counsellor for 13 years welcoming people from all walks of life with varying  levels of distress and difficulties. Whether you have a Psychiatric Diagnosis such as an Eating Disorder or if you are overwhelmed with sadness-the welcome will be the same. Additionally I counsel clients and their loved ones who are affected by Motor Neurone Disease . I have also counselled in the Voluntary Sector, NHS, Primary Schools and for Higher Education. I have personal experience as a carer and knowing people with Dementia and Autism has been part of my life for many years.

Is Counselling Right For You?

People come for counselling for all different reasons; from a crisis situation to longer term issues and I welcome each person, as an individual, in an atmosphere free from judgement. Counselling offers an opportunity to explore and reflect on any aspect of your life, past or present, in a safe, confidential, professional environment. In the presence of a skilled counsellor, I  strongly believe that we all have the ability to grow and change through the talking, exploring and sharing of often difficult, emotional subjects.. My inspiration to continue as a Counsellor is due to witnessing and being part of a relationship where changes and choices  are able to be made.

I understand that it can be hard to make a decision regarding counselling and people often ask me "will this help me?" or "how do I know if this is the right counsellor for me? I believe that the best guidance we  have is to listen to ourselves. "Can I picture telling this person my troubles?" Only you, will know if you feel comfortable and right with the therapist you meet.

What To Expect

I offer short and long term counselling to adult individuals. How long you decide to have counselling for is up to you. Most often counselling sessions take place for one hour weekly, but, I appreciate that this isn't always affordable or manageable and I welcome any discussion around this. Working from home means that I can offer more flexibility with appointments, hopefully finding a time that will fit in with your life.

Getting Started

If you think that you would like to meet, you can initially phone or email and we can arrange a suitable day and time. At the first session we can discuss what you might like to get out of counselling, how often you would like to meet and any other relevant issues. It will also give you a chance to decide if you might like to meet again and how you feel about us working together. I look forward to hearing from you.

Please visit my website for further information .