Sue Wheeler - Profile

My name is Sue and I am a Counsellor and Psychotherapist in Guildford with 20 years experience of helping adults and young people 16+ to cope with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, sleep difficulties, burnout or the impact of life with ADHD or Autism. I also offer counselling for study related issues such as exam stress, procrastination and presentation anxiety.

My professional experience includes 13 years as Head of Counselling for a group of Further and Higher Education Colleges. During the past 7 years I’ve worked at a local University, counselling students and staff from UK and around the world, with all the diversity this brings.

In my previous career, I was a nurse. I have lived and worked in several parts of the Middle East and East Africa and have developed an interest in cultural and worldview diversity.

I am particularly interested in neurodiversity and have more than 10 years experience working with clients who are exploring their neurotype, or are newly diagnosed with ADHD or Autism. During our counselling sessions we have the opportunity to discuss together how this affects you and to explore strategies for the future.

I have an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and belong to the following BACP online divisions:

·       Counselling in Colleges and Universities

·       Workplace Counselling

·       Spirituality

·       Children and Young People

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT. . .

My role during our counselling sessions will be to tailor the sessions to your need, whether for a Single Session (see below) or for a longer exploration. We will do this by creating a space together where you feel confident to look at the challenges you face, incorporating a range of methodologies in our work together including elements of CBT.

Single Session Therapy (SST) has proved both popular and effective with clients. During this session, we work together focussing on a specific issue with the understanding that more sessions are available. I have found SST to be particularly helpful where there is a single focus such as sleep difficulty, procrastination, work issues, or questions about the future. There is an optional questionnaire you can complete before the session to begin to start thinking about the session ahead.

Brief therapy is a short-term therapy which focuses on finding solutions and making positive changes rather than focusing on the past causes of problems. We will look together at what you do well, set goals and work out how to achieve them. This type of therapy can be effective in just three or four sessions.

Long term counselling will give us the opportunity to consider you as a whole person, taking into account your mental, physical and emotional needs. We will use techniques and tools from different approaches, including CBT, to tailor an individual approach for you. My aim is to build a trusting and non-judgmental relationship that helps you develop self-awareness. When you understand the causes of your concerns or triggers for your behaviour, you can confidently set goals and develop new behaviours to improve your satisfaction with life.

The first session

For brief and for long term counselling we will begin with an initial consultation to discuss your needs and give you the opportunity to ask me any questions. This and all subsequent sessions last 50 minutes.

HOW I OFFER COUNSELLING …

In person in counselling rooms at The Eaves in Guildford, Surrey.

Availability I currently have appointments available on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

In my previous career, I was a nurse. I have lived and worked in several parts of the world and developed an interest in cultural and worldview diversity.