Sue Hanson

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

MBACP Registered
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Bolton, BL7
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello,

My name is Sue, I am a qualified and experienced counsellor working from home in North Bolton. I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, adhereing to their Code of Practice and Ethics.

I have been working as a self employed counsellor for over 13 years. In that time, I have worked with well over a thousand clients. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a client (often at their lowest), transform over the weeks/months, into the person they want to be - happy, able to get on with their life without being weighed down by the issues that brought them to counselling in the first place.

My qualification is in Person-Centred Counselling.  In a nutshell this means: being a good listener, understanding my client’s experience (trying to put myself in their shoes), empathic (caring about my client and what they have/are going through); remaining non-judgmental, and respecting my client’s right to make their own life choices (their life not mine).

I have a very good understanding/experience of working with CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). CBT is an important part of my work.  I will (gently) challenge client thought processes.  Our thoughts can become distorted and irrational when our mental health is low, we may exaggerate our experience  (make the issue seem bigger than it actually is). It might be that the client underestimates the importance of what has happened to them (play it down). ‘Other people have been through far worse, I just  need to stop feeling sorry for myself’.

In my experience, most client’s accept their thoughts to be 100% true without having any proof. Example: ‘the spot on my arm is cancer, I am going to die’. ‘If I don’t check that I have locked the door five times, I will be burgled’. ‘Everything is always my fault, I’m a stupid idiot’. Techniques will be offered to help client’s challenge/ process their thoughts.

Client sessions are tailor made to suit them (we are all different).

Life can be difficult for all of us at times. Low mental health does not discriminate, it has no regard for: who you are, your status, how much money you have. There is no escape, we all experience issues with our mental health from time to time whether that be: relationships, bereavement, job loss, work related stress, health, financial worries, depression etc. It is not a sign of weakness to reach out for support, it takes a lot of courage.

The starting point is to acknowledge that you are struggling to cope. Are past or current experiences impacting on your daily life? If so, counselling could give you the support you need to help you work through your issues, and help you get your life back on track.

The way we think about a given situation, impacts on how we feel and behave. 

 You may feel apprehensive about counselling, most client’s are unsure what to expect.  I will explain in detail: my role, the counselling process, and give you an opportunity to ask any questions.

You may have had a bad experience with a counsellor so are skeptical of the process believing all counsellors are the same (we are not), there are good a bad individuals in all walks of life. You may think that counselling does not work (without ever having had counselling; maybe you have but have had a counsellor that was not the right match for you; or you may not have fully engaged in the counselling process at the time). You maybe under the impression that counsellors just want to know your business, we don’t. Perhaps you feel you are too old to change (you are not).

My client’s need to be: ready, willing and motivated to make the necessary changes that will improve their life, if they are not, counselling will never work.

Counselling can be an emotional rollercoaster at times; if a client sticks with it, there will be light at the end of the tunnel - life will get better.

My style of work is relaxed and friendly.

Our work will be in strict confidence.  You will not be judged irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, race or religious beliefs. I will never tell you want to do.

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Sue

TESTIMONIALS (These testimonials plus others, can be evidenced upon request)

"I was one of those people who didn't think I needed counselling... that it was a sign of weakness... that I could 'pull myself together'.  How wrong I was.  I have been working with Sue now for just about 18 months; she has been the biggest help possible, and we're still working together.  Sue is direct in her approach, whilst at the same time sympathetic and understanding.  She knows exactly how to conduct our sessions to strengthen the way I feel about myself, and to offer support on any and all issues past, present or future".

"A few years ago I lost my 19 year old daughter to suicide. At the time I worked for the NHS and they arranged for me to go and see a counsellor to whom I could not relate. Sue helped me in so many areas of my life, and also gave me some tough love along the way, not to mention helping me come off the medication I was on.  I will never be able to repay Sue for how she helped me.

"Sue, thank you for all your help over the last few weeks.  With your help, you have brought me through my bad times and realize just who I am, and why life if so worth living.  You have given me the inspiration to continue to be me, and move on with my life".

Training, qualifications & experience


Areas of training:

  • Anxiety
  • Recognising and Responding to Domestic Abuse
  • Freedom Programme Awareness (Domestic Abuse)
  • Self Esteem and Confidence
  • Drug & Alcohol Misuse (emotional support)
  • Suicide/self harm
  • Eating disorders (emotional support)
  • Bereavement and loss
  • Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse
  • Depression
  • Stress 
  • Couples counselling
  • Anger management
  • Bereavement & Loss
  • Working with survivors bereaved by suicide

I regularly attend courses and read extensively as part of my  Continued Professional Development.

I was responsible for the setting up of a voluntary counselling service in Bolton in 2007. The service has been a great success, attracting clients from the local and wider communities.

I worked as a Samaritan from 2006-2008. This provided emotional support to telephone callers, email users and door callers.

I worked as a volunteer at Bolton Hospice from 2004-2015.

Member organisations

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

Fees

£30.00 - £35.00

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information



Sessions will be charged at £35 for 60 minutes

Concessions: students and individuals evidencing low income £30 for 60 minutes

Couples £40

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Monday-Thursday 9.30-7.30(last appointment)

Further information


The counsellor needs to be able to listen, understand and explore ways of working with their client. It is vital that the counsellor is congruent (genuine), and is able to show empathy towards their client - try and put themselves in their client’s shoes.

When looking for a suitable counsellor, PLEASE ensure that they are qualified and belong to an appropriate professional body and are Registered. Failure to do so may result in you feeling a lot worse.  A qualified counsellor will have received at least three years training. This will have included a period of work experience with a minimum of 100 hours completed as well as regular supervision to monitor their work.

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older adults
Couples

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

No wheelchair access; two steps lead into the property. Other options: telephone, Skype, Zoom sessions available.

Online platforms

Zoom
Sue Hanson
Sue Hanson