Hello, I am Suzanne O’Leary, a Person Centred Counsellor and member of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). I am based in Brighton and Hove.
I have a client led approach and believe that you are the expert on yourself and your own life, and my role is to facilitate and guide you towards a path that is truly in line with your inner being.
Using an integrative style in my client work, essential to my approach are the values of empathy, compassion, acceptance and authenticity. I trust that we all have the inner wisdom and resources that we need to lead happy and fulfilling lives, but that sometimes our conditioning, relationships, inner critic, adaptations, and the fragmentation of modern life can lead us off course, causing great emotional pain, isolation and anxiety.
With years of experience directly supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, I have a deep understanding of the complexities and long-term impact this can have, as well as the profound and lasting effect of feeling unsafe in any relationship.
I am a qualified yoga teacher with a specific interest in therapeutic and somatic yoga, which explores the embodiment of trauma and unprocessed emotions and the incredible power of listening to our bodies to help us to heal. I have a particular interest in compassion focussed therapy and its effectiveness in over-coming shame and a sense of unworthiness.
I am an adoptive mother to two children, who inspire me and teach me something new every day. Preparing for this particular role in life guided me towards researching attachment and its influence throughout life and relationships, the impact of trauma on the nervous system, the consequences of separation and loss, and the formation of identity and a sense of belonging.
I am available every evening and can be contacted here.
