Susan Longworth

Have you ever wondered: how did I get here? what is the next step? and how do I do that? Counselling offers you space, separate from friends and family to be your true self, to have an opportunity to be heard and to look at what options, choices and changes are available to you. A counsellor does not have the answers or diagnose mental health conditions.

Talking about your issues, helps you process thoughts and emotions, both current and past. I believe in working with the whole person - your thoughts, emotions and physical symptoms - to help you improve your health and wellbeing. There may be techniques to manage how you are feeling or options to refer you on to more specialist services where required.

I am an experienced counsellor and supervisor have worked in a variety of settings, including for an alcohol charity; with NHS staff; and with students and staff of a university. My work in these settings included providing counselling to individuals involved in the Manchester Arena and Paris terrorist attacks, work-place related trauma, and personal loss and bereavement.

I am person centred counsellor, but also draw on other theories, including solution-focussed brief-therapy, transactional analysis, mindfulness and trauma informed practice. I have supervised counsellors-in-training and qualified counsellors. I have my own supervision in accordance with my BACP membership and accreditation.

In my experience, trauma and loss (of a job, person, health or an opportunity) can have a lasting impact if not addressed. It can even become disguised as a change in behaviour, attitude or health.

It’s for these reasons that all information is important in a counselling session. Regular sessions are necessary to work through the details of your situation. We will look at this together, in a confidential setting, at your pace and when you feel it is possible.

Sessions are 50 minutes long, face-to-face or on the telephone. The number of sessions will be planned and reviewed, including when to end the counselling. Contact outside the sessions will not be available, only to cancel an appointment with 24 hours notice.  

Prior to the first session, I will answer any questions and give an outline of how I work by email or a 20 minutes telephone contact, free of charge. At the first session, out of hours and emergency contacts will be discussed, including your personal responsibility within counselling and the guidelines of my professional body.