Suzie Shepperson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Life doesn't always run smoothly and sometimes we could all use someone to talk to. You may feel guilty, alone, overwhelmed and be struggling to see a way out. I aim to provide a welcoming and safe space in which you can talk about and explore your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgement or criticism.
Counselling can be the first important step in looking at what is troubling you. My role is not about telling you what to do, it is creating a space for you to express your thoughts and working with you to grow and bring deeper understanding of your ways of relating and responding. It can be difficult to understand how we relate in our world and in our relationships, however, exploring this in therapy can offer you a greater insight into how you are and explore what you wish to be.
Through this exploration we can develop the ability to heal problems of the past and build an internal support system that allows you to make more positive choices going forward. A cornerstone of my work is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, in order that you can take control of your life, rather than letting events control you.
I believe that given the right conditions, people have the potential to make positive change. I aim to give you a sense of being deeply understood, helping you to resolve conflicts that prevent you from enjoying your life in the ways you wish to.
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing
This is one type of therapy I provide, designed specifically to alleviate trauma and related symptoms such as acute anxiety or phobias.
Sometimes old disturbing memories can be stored in the brain in isolation and they get locked into the nervous system with the original images, sounds, thoughts and feelings. The old distressing material just keeps getting triggered over and over again which prevents healing from taking place. In another part of your brain, you already have most of the information you need to resolve this problem but the two just cannot connect. This is where EMDR can help, allowing new information to come to mind and resolve the old problems - similar to what happens spontaneously in REM or dream sleep. Please also consider that people often don't know they are suffering from trauma, all they know is that they don't feel right, and don't know how to feel better. If this sounds familiar come and see me. It's my job to know what is going on, and to support you to feel better.
Relationship and Couples Therapy
Creating a safe and non-judgemental space in which couples can talk and investigate their relationship is essential. I understand how difficult relationships are in our times and how everyone suffers if they go wrong. Some relationships run into trouble after the first honeymoon period and many people then feel as if they have done something wrong or are even with the wrong partner. In creative couple work this is understood as a necessary and useful stage in any relationship where real growth can happen. Relationships can offer us a great way to learn and heal if we can harness their potential.
I often find that the key to success lies in finding the right way to communicate – both within the counselling environment and outside it. Problems may seem insurmountable, deadlocks may seem unbreakable but if we are able to listen to each other and hear each other's points of view, compromises and clarity can be reached.
Relationship counselling can also be helpful to couples who want to gain some understanding into their patterns and ways of relating, before difficulties arise and so I also offer pre-nuptial counselling sessions as well.
Therapy Space
I work from a private discreet office in Weybridge and my garden room in New Haw. Both provide ample free parking and are within easy walking distance of the local train station. My rooms are easily accessible from Woking, Weybridge, Walton, Addlestone, Byfleet and West Byfleet.
Training, qualifications & experience
Over a number of years, I studied to achieve a recognised, accredited qualification within the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), of which I am an accredited Member (MBACP).
Qualifications
FdSc In Integrative Counselling
Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Counselling
Certificate in CBT with Heart
Certificate in Couples Counselling
Post Graduate Diploma in Supervision
Advanced Certificate in Relationship Therapy (COSRT accredited)
EMDR Europe Practitioner
Experience
I have many years of experience of working in an effective practice both privately and within charitable organisations such as MIND and Richmond AID. I believe this has enabled me to develop a sound and well integrated style to ensure I tailor my service to you as a unique individual.
I am also Clinical Lead at Richmond AID, a charity based in Teddington. Previously I was deputy clinical lead at Richmond Mind based at the Richmond Royal Hospital. In both these roles, I carry out both group and individual supervision.
Further to my core training, I also attend Continued Professional Development (CPD) events to enhance my knowledge and practice to enable me to be the best I can at interacting and engaging in our therapeutic work. Some of these courses are;
Attachment and Wellbeing
Body Trauma
Control Issues
Couples Counselling
Dealing with Affairs in Couples
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Eating Disorders
EMDR
Family/systemic therapy
Mindfulness
Personality Disorders
Pre-marital Counselling
Relationships
Safeguarding
Self-Harm
Sex and Diversity
Shame
Trauma
Member organisations
school 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 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
£70.00 - £90.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Individuals Counselling £70
EMDR £90
Couples £90
Concession appointments are available for those on a low income.
Student discounts are available.
Counselling Supervision
Individuals £60
Groups £70- £85 fee dependant on group size ( max 3 per group)
When I work
Availability changes regularly but I offer sessions during the day, some evenings and weekends.
Further information
Payment is by cash or cheque payable per session