Sue Stephenson

Experience and qualifications

I am an experienced Integrative Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Supervisor, a Senior Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I am registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

My private counselling and psychotherapy practice is based in Wokingham (Berkshire Counselling and Psychotherapies). In my private practice I work with clients and also trainee counsellors and psychotherapists who are required to undertake personal therapy as part of their training. I am also a qualified Supervisor of individuals and groups, working with qualified psychotherapists and counsellors and also with students in training. My work is regularly supervised in accordance with the requirements of my professional registrations.

I have worked in both the private and public sectors, including the Priory Hospital Woking and the NHS IAPT Talking Therapies service, seeing clients presenting with a wide range of difficulties including, for example; depression, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, loss, self harm, relationship and/or work related problems and eating disorders. One of my specialist areas is working with adults who experienced the loss of a parent, either physically, emotionally or both during their childhood.

I was a Visiting Lecturer at a London University for nine years where I co-facilitated experiential groups of student counsellors and taught the theory and practice of psychodynamic and person centred therapy. During that time I was also involved in psychotherapy research and publication.

What I offer

Approach and orientation:

I have a Master of Science degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from University of Surrey and my clinical practice reflects my training in the main research and evidence based psychotherapeutic approaches being: psychodynamic therapy, person centred therapy, existential therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) all of which I draw upon as appropriate in my relational work with clients.

Philosophy on Counselling and Psychotherapy

My philosophy of counselling and psychotherapy incorporates the ideas located within the psychodynamic and person centred approaches which I use to inform my clinical practice. I believe that one of the most helpful experiences for someone seeking counselling is to feel listened to fully and through this experience become more able to acknowledge the feelings that emerge through the process. This can then help with making the changes necessary to experience a more satisfying life.

I am also guided by the psychodynamic view that patterns created in our early family relationships impact on and can be detrimental to current relationships and situations. Bringing these patterns into awareness in a safe and confidential space can bring significant relief to distressing feelings.

My ongoing commitment to professional development has enabled me to integrate different approaches into my work and hence offer a broad range of understanding in the clinical setting.