Sue O'sullivan

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MBACP ((Accred)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Hemel Hempstead, HP1
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I  have many years of experience working effectively with different experiences and challenges.  I have a special interest in anxiety, stress, trauma, chronic pain and illness.  I have worked in organisations seeing clients experiencing abuse, bereavement and victims of crime as well clients in the NHS for anxiety and depression.   Before training to be a counsellor, I worked in healthcare, so have a good understanding of medical conditions.   Having had counselling myself, I have experienced the power of really being seen and heard and the growth that can happen.    As you become more self-aware, you will gain insights to what may be troubling or limiting you.  It can lead to a clearer view of the choices and possibilities open to you and develop your own ways to move forward confidently and optimistically.

Anxiety

This is a natural body's reaction to tell us that we are under threat.  When anxiety interferes with our lives and becomes overwhelming, this indicates something needs to be dealt with.  Therapy offers you a safe space to help you understand why this is happening, process underlying thoughts or events that may be triggering your response.  We will also find coping techniques/skills to lessen the impact on your life.

Pain and illness

If our bodies are constantly in 'fight or flight' mode, then our nervous system becomes sensitised.  This can result in digestive problems, pain, chronic fatique, and many other physical symptoms.  There is a lot of research now acknowledging the effect of other areas of our lives on our health, such as stress and emotions, adverse childhood events/trauma.  Looking at different angles can alleviate or get rid of symptoms.

Trauma 

 Trauma/s changes a persons perception of the world as well as the nervous system.  You may be in constant 'fight or flight' or in 'shut down' , all survival responses.   Therapy can help you interact with the world and others through the lens of safety and connection.

It can be stressful just to begin to reach out for support, but I offer a free 15 minute phone call, so we can both get an idea if we can work together.

My phone number is 07936 466822.  I conduct sessions face to face,  via Zoom or by phone which are 50 minutes in length, usually weekly to start with.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Accredited Registered Member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
  • Counselling for Depression training at Nottingham University for NHS
  • Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling.
  • Diploma in Integrative Counselling.
  • Certificate in Counselling skills
  • Cruse bereavement supervisor
  • Experience

I have 13 years’ experience of counselling at a Hospice,  a Women's Centre, and in private practice. I have completed NHS specific training to enable me to see G.P. referred clients for depression and anxiety.   I also take referrals from Employee Assistance Programmes

I attend regular continuing professional development.  More recent training has been:

SIRPA - stress illness recovery practitioner association training. 

Trauma Training from Carolyn Spring, Deb Dana, Janine Fisher 

I am Registered and Accredited with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and work within their ethical guidelines.


Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

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
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I am interested in chronic pain and medical conditions for which there is an unexplained medical cause.   

Fees

£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Health Insurance/EAP

  • Health Assured

Additional information

  • £50.00 per 50 minute sessions.  Payable on the day.  Concessions available.
  • I accept payment by BACS payment.
  • I charge £25 for cancellations of less than 24 hours notice.



When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Further information

  • I offer short term and long-term therapy.
  • I have regular supervision and ongoing Continuing Professional Development.
  • I am fully insured.
  • I work with individuals from the age of 18 upwards.


Hemel Hempstead, HP1

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Online platforms

Zoom
Sue O'sullivan
Sue O'sullivan