Susanne Thomson

Pluralistic Counselling Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor.

I trained in the Pluralistic approach which means I work with an integrative style which is rooted in humanistic and person-centred values. Every client is unique, as is their, needs, goals, life experiences and personal circumstances. I work holistically in that I consider the whole of each person. I will support you to be able to create and maintain healthy psychological, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. I will work in collaboration with you to identify and tailor a therapeutic approach that will resonate with you. I meet you where you are and travel in the direction you want to go, with the desired end in sight.

I believe in taking a holistic approach when working with clients, which takes into consideration the whole person - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I believe that counselling is a pathway for self-discovery, insight, growth, transformation, and healing. It is an opportunity for you to explore your own thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. 

For me the starting point of counselling is to build a good therapeutic relationship which I consider to be essential, as it may be the first time you have had an opportunity to share intimate thoughts, beliefs, and emotions regarding any issues or difficulties you may have experienced. By building a healthy and trusting therapeutic relationship, I can guide you in discovering more about yourself and what you desire in life. I also provide a setting that can encourage you to establish new and healthier thoughts and patterns of behaviour. I will work in collaboration with you and offer a safe, non-judgemental, empathic space for you to explore thoughts, feelings, and difficulties. I will support you to get to know yourself as you really are, so you can show up fully and live your life authentically. You will be supported to find your own answers and make any changes you feel necessary to your inner and outer world, and to let go of the things that no longer work for you.

Each person has an innate essential need to connect with others, to explore their sense of self, and to understand their emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and interpersonal reactions. People thrive when they are understood, accepted, and cared for by others, and under positive conditions they can build the required skills to understand and change their thoughts, feelings and behaviour that no longer serve them.  People are resilient and resourceful and with increased self-awareness and skills to cope with patterns in their lives and relationships they can have a greater sense of meaning, empowerment, and fulfilment in their life.

People generally thrive when they are understood, accepted, and cared for by others, and under positive conditions they can build the required skills to understand and change their thoughts and behaviours. The therapeutic relationship provides a unique opportunity in which these individual needs can be nurtured in an environment that supports the development of insight, awareness, transformation, and change. I believe in supporting and appropriately challenging people to explore their lives, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. The level of therapeutic challenge is equal to the level of care and compassion that is provided.

Individual factors are often intertwined with systemic, historical, and relational factors and it is often important to explore the underlying expectations, and fears that contribute to the presenting issues that may have prompted you to enter therapy. Sometimes we can lose sight of what is important to us or do not take the time to reflect on our needs or why we are behaving or reacting in the way that they are. Sometimes we can feel be more comfortable focusing on others rather than on ourselves. 

It is important to remember that the problem is the problem, and the person is not. You have all the qualities, skills, strengths, and resources inside of you to cope and to successfully navigate personal and systemic challenges; however, sometimes things get in the way. By engaging in supportive and encouraging counselling, you can remove and overcome any obstacles and difficulties that prevent you from making the healthy adjustments to your life and to access resources to improve your everyday coping and functioning.

As a counsellor, I facilitate the process of a client solving their own problems which can be empowering experience. Ultimately, I strive to encourage the client to draw their own conclusions and choose the direction they want to take in resolving their issues. Together, we can then set goals to achieve the desired outcome. Goals can be reached by first identifying what you desire and through developing self-awareness and insight. 

 I am most passionate about empowering clients to be the best version of themselves. I am very interested in Behavioural Science: human behaviour, and Neuroscience: the mind and body connection, especially how we can re-train our brain to think differently, and how through mastering the breath we can obtain optimum physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being. Some of the areas I work with are:
• Trauma
• Complex PTSD
• Grief and loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sexual abuse
• Relational attachment
• Anger management,
• LGBTQ
• Gender Identification
• Dissociative disorder

My focus areas are Trauma, Complex Trauma, PTSD, Complex PTSD, DID Menopause, and ADHD/ADD. LGBTQIA+

Gender Identity

Sexual Identity

I offer a free 1/2 hour initial consultation which allows you to have the opportunity to ask any questions and to ascertain whether you think we would work well together.

Thereafter a 55 minute counselling psychotherapy session is £50.00

Clinical supervision is 1hr- £60.00  1.5hrs - £75.00

I work in-line with the ethical framework of both my professional organisations, the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP membership number 00772047) www.bacp.co.uk.
I also adhere to the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO, membership number 797) www. acto-org.uk