How I work

Rooted in interpersonal neurobiology and non-judgmental in my approach, I sometimes use metaphor and easy language or simple sketching, to help you get to know yourself more deeply.

I love to understand the very latest developments within the field of Trauma and Attachment theory and weave different approaches into my work, according to the needs of each individual client.

I believe we are all made up of many ‘Parts’ and this concept (drawn from Trauma theory and Internal Family Systems) helps to make sense of our inner world - for instance, a part of me thinks that I need to exercise, and another part of me resists this. I will use my understanding of how our nervous systems work between our mind and body to help you make sense of your own inner world and relationships.

I work in both Sevenoaks and Tunbridge wells - If you choose to work for me, please contact me.

get in touch

Professional experience and specialised trainings

Qualified, Registered & Insured Member, BACP & MNCPS Acc
Integrative Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB), informed by Interpersonal Neurobiology
Advanced NLP Coaching (INLPTA)
Complex Trauma Professional (CCTP1&2)
Polyvagal and TIST Informed Practitioner
Certified Inner Child and Early Attachment Practitioner
Advanced Couples Counsellor (TCI -Developmental Model)
Relationship Therapist
Accredited Colour and Style Consultant (ACS)
Enhanced DBS
Safer recruitment/Prevent/Safeguarding
Personality, Strengths and Values Assessor
Licensed CORE Practitioner

Additionally…..

Leadership Coach and Mentor
Experienced Supervisor
Advanced Graduate of The Developmental Model of Couples Therapy, The Couples Institute
Inner Healing Practitioner (Imagery)
Experienced Trainer and Facilitator of Workshops: Supervision, Emotional Health Awareness, Nervous System Regulation, Befriending your Inner Critic, Navigating Change, Personal Image & Style
Attachment focussed
TIST and Polyvagal informed Practitioner, integrated with Internal Family Systems (IFS) - Complex Trauma
Telemental online Health Training
Online Supervision

I invite you to take the first step and contact me

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Anaïs Nin

Feel free to contact me via email:

sueweller2018@gmail.com -if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.

You can also call me on 07976 532888 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.

All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.

Frequently asked questions about counselling

Many therapists tend to view Counselling as ‘short-term’ work; when someone has a problem that can be looked at and discussed in a clearly-resolvable way. This work often requires undertaking sessions for a certain number of weeks, to explore, discover and clarify a way forward. Therapy is a word used more to describe ‘long-term’ work; discussion that tends towards substantial issues and things that might be life-changing on a deeper level.

Whether counselling or therapy work best as a short- or long-term option depends on the client though, and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling can prove helpful as a continuing, longer-term option, or therapy can help resolve an issue in just a few sessions.

Therapy is about providing a space to slow down, illuminating hidden patterns driving conflict or disconnection, and lighting the pathway ahead to guide you back home to each other.

Reaching out for support can feel like the first uncertain step on unfamiliar ground- I am here to offer you therapeutic coaching and support to help you both become unstuck and to move forwards if your relationship is struggling.

My role is to help create enough understanding and emotional safety for each of you to understand more clearly what’s not working well or to improve communication between you, within a no-blame environment.

I invite you to contact me as you take this step to exploring the possibility of repair, renewal or reconnection through Couples Counselling - I offer a variety of options for meeting and before we begin a journey of couples therapy, I take time to understand both your relationship and each of you as individuals. This usually includes a shared zoom assessment session, individual sessions with each partner, and collaborative planning towards your goals for change or improvement.

If you haven’t ever had any counselling before, it can feel daunting reaching out the first time, and I will do my very best to put you at ease. There is no obligation to continue, so I invite you to book a session knowing it’s completely up to you to decide if working together feels right for you.

Following a free of charge introductory call, our first confidential session will include brief history taking as part of a comfortable discussion, with plenty of time for you to ask questions so that you fully understand what to expect in your sessions .

It’s important to not feel rushed, and so I like to allow 60 minutes for a first session. All my clients report experiencing an immediate sense of relief and a renewed sense of hope for better times ahead - from their very first session!

There’s no fixed or ideal length of time for the counselling process; it varies from person to person and will often depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. While I can work on an open-ended basis with clients, I find it is helpful for us to both agree before we start on undertaking a certian nunebr of sessions and reviewing where we are at once we reach that point. You are able to decide how long your therapy willl last, and in return my aim is to make sure therapy continues for only as long as it is of benefit to you.

This depends on what your needs are. Some people find that after only a very few sessions they have some clarity and focus and are ready to end the therapy. Other people value the ongoing support and relationship with me and will continue to come for weeks, months, or even years. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' when it comes to therapy.

What can you expect from working with me? I bring warmth, openness and curiosity to all my sessions. I don’t believe therapy has to always feel solemn; there is room for smiles and humour, creativity and the unexpected. After many years as a therapist, I still find each person I meet endlessly interesting.

I therefore warmly invite you to contact me for a free of charge 20 minute call, to discuss your requirements and for me to introduce myself.

Confidentiality is one of the main ways in which therapy differs from many other forms of helping - for example, talking to friends or family can rarely offer the same degree of confidentiality as talking to a counsellor. Because of this confidentiality, you will find that - as you get used to coming for therapy - you are freer to talk about whatever you wish to.

No therapist can offer 100% confidentiality: there are some situations where the law requires disclosure of risk (e.g. certain child protection issues) and in common with most other therapists, there are some situations where I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. In particular, if someone tells me that they are thinking of harming themselves in a way that I believe puts them at serious risk, or if someone tells me that they are doing something that could put others at risk, I may not be able to keep such information confidential. However, breaking confidentiality is rare, and only happens after talking to the person concerned.

When you come for counselling it's important that you feel free to talk about whatever is important to you.

Coming to therapy helps you focus just on you…… and your therapist will help you to explore your thoughts feelings or any patterns behaviours - you may about feel awkward, ashamed or embarrassed about opening up and your therapist is there to help you with this.

Sometimes, family/friends/partners can be part of an underlying issue which needs to be aired and explored more deeply which can feel daunting. This anxiety is quite normal, and you will not be forced to talk about anything you feel uncomfortable about - but your therapist is here to help you to be able to talk about whatever is important to increase your self awareness and improve your wellbeing.