Hello I’m Suzanne, a psychotherapeutic counsellor and somatic practitioner based in Brighton and Hove.
I specialise in supporting people with chronic low mood, anxiety, depression, the impact of trauma, negative self-talk and nervous system dysregulation.
I qualified from Brighton University with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling in 2008.
I use an integrative approach in my work, drawing on theories from Somatics (Thomas Hanna), Focusing (Eugene Gendlin), Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges) and Compassion Focused Therapy (Paul Gilbert).
I offer an approach that supports a person to understand their whole self; how their body and nervous system can hold stress and survival patterns which may lead to them feeling stuck in a repetitive loop. By understanding these patterns, and identifying ways to move through them, my aim is to support you towards more self-compassion, deeper awareness and conscious, empowered choices.
I have a background in supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse and have a deep understanding of the impact that trauma and adverse experiences can have every single day.
I believe that we develop certain behaviours to cope, stay safe, or survive, and at some point these behaviours no longer serve us and we can feel stuck in unhealthy patterns, such as numbness, chronic pain, overwhelm, anxiety, overthinking or compulsive behaviours.
My counselling approach is client-centred, which means that I believe you are the expert on yourself and your own life and my role is to be alongside you and support you to find new ways through. I will offer, where appropriate, a framework for understanding why these patterns might have developed and support you to explore other possibilities that serve you better.
I am a trauma sensitive yoga teacher with additional training in Somatic Experiencing and I offer some somatic (embodied) techniques that might help to settle your nervous system and give you effective coping strategies.
I have a therapy room in Central Hove for 1-1 or telephone counselling.
Thank you for looking at my website. If you would like to find out more, please do get in touch by emailing me at suzanne@westpierwellbeing.co.uk, or filling out the contact form on the contact page.