Susan Utting-Simon | ACTO

Susan Utting-Simon

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MEMBER DETAILS
QUALIFICATION
Therapist Information

I have been working as a therapist since 2000. My extensive training and experience equip me to help you with a wide range of issues, problems or concerns.
I identify as White British, however my immediate family members are Black African and Dual Heritage. My personal experience of cross-cultural relationships has enriched my life and also helped to inform my work in cross-cultural counselling relationships.

Following my core training as a therapist, I completed a specialist training in Working with Children and Young People. I feel passionately about the importance of providing respectful and empowering support for clients, regardless of their age, in a safe and confidential environment. Having previously worked as a manager in an out of hours Crisis Service and Telephone Helpline, I am experienced at working with clients experiencing short term emotional distress as well as those with severe and enduring mental health problems. Private counselling clients refer to me from several sources, many from word-of-mouth recommendations. I am also an Approved Counsellor for Yorkshire Mesmac which is one of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the country. They offer services to various communities including men who have sex with men, people misusing drugs, sex workers and LGB&T young people and adults. Prior to training as a therapist, I designed and bought Menswear for well-known international retailers. I feel that, alongside my experience of working in the voluntary sector, this has given me a rich understanding of different working environments and lifestyles, which helps me to work empathically with each client I meet. I enjoy creative pastimes and use creative materials in therapy if clients find it helpful. The overall aim of Counselling is to provide the opportunity for you to work towards living in a more satisfying and resourceful way. Counselling is not about rescuing, but about empowering and enabling you to decide what, if any, changes you may wish to make in your life. It offers an opportunity to explore thoughts, feelings, hopes and concerns in a safe and confidential setting. There are many reasons why people come for therapy, as it focuses on the problems of living that we all face at different stages of our lives; for example, some clients I see are experiencing relationship difficulties, or making the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Sometimes work life is stressful, or raising children. Many clients want to look at issues around sexuality, race or culture. Bereavement and depression or anxiety issues are frequently explored and I also work with clients living with long term or life threatening illness, for example HIV/AIDS. Some people come because they simply feel dissatisfied or stuck in their lives, others because they want to work through issues that have troubled them for many years.

For many people, accessing therapy face to face can be problematic for any number of reasons. It may be difficult because of geographic location, mobility issues, limited time, childcare, or it may simply feel too daunting to meet a counsellor in person. I have found that in such circumstances it is very possible to build a warm and trusting relationship online.
As a Senior Professional Member of ACTO, I have undertaken significant training in working in a range of online methods of communication and can offer you online counselling ‘live’, by video platform or Instant Messaging (such as Zoom or Wellola) or by email exchange (where we don’t have to be online at the same time). You can choose whichever option you prefer.
There are many different theoretical approaches to counselling. The approach I use is Person-Centred and I can also incorporate a Solution-Focused model if you feel that would be helpful.
I believe that each of us has the inner resources to fulfil our true potential, and that, given the right environment, we can bring about the changes and healing we need in our own lives.
I will not tell you what to do, or give advice, but will aim to provide a safe and confidential place in which you can talk about yourself, your problems, concerns and hopes, and where you can decide what, if any, changes you may wish to make in your life. I will endeavour to help you in this process in a way that is supportive and empowering. I hope that you will come to feel comfortable, trusting and sufficiently supported to bring any issues you may wish to explore.
I find that, although I would always describe my approach as ‘Person-Centred’, I work slightly differently with each new client I meet. I endeavour to respect the specific needs and personal culture of each individual.
Counselling is a process which takes time and commitment. I hope that we can work together for as long as you feel necessary. Many issues can be resolved in short-term work, whilst others may require longer-term therapy.

Children, Young People, Adults of all ages

Video, Audio, Live Chat, Email

CYP, Identity, Transcultural Counselling

+447772290986

£70 per 50min session
Paid by Bank Transfer in advance

English

Online Supervisor Profile

Senior Professional Member of ACTO & Qualified Online Supervisor. BACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist & Supervisor. I have extensive experience of working with CYP and with transcultural issues, and a particular interest in working with supervisees/clients in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
My practice is global with supervisees involved in delivery of, or line management of staff, in the professions of counselling, psychotherapy, play therapy, psychology, pre-and post-bereavement care, and advice work.

With family spread around the Middle East and Africa, I have valued the growth in online methods of communication on both a personal and professional level. I identify as White British, however my immediate family members are Black African and Dual Heritage. My personal experience of cross-cultural relationships has enriched my life and helped to inform my work in cross-cultural counselling relationships. Having previously worked as a Manager in an out of hours Crisis Service and Telephone Helpline, I am experienced at working with clients experiencing short term emotional distress as well as those with severe and enduring mental health problems. Following my core training as a therapist, I completed a specialist training in Working with Children and Young People. I feel passionately about the importance of providing respectful and empowering support for clients, regardless of their age, in a safe and confidential environment. These days I particularly enjoy working in private practice where clients can choose how long they wish to attend therapy. However, my experience of managing Third Sector CYP and Crisis services has also highlighted to me the benefits in working short term. I am Past Chair of the BACP Private Practice Executive Committee and have ongoing involvement in planning the Divisional Conference. This role involves raising the profile of private practitioners within the BACP and the public, through planning events and contributing to the Private Practice journal. I am experienced in working with EAPs (Employee Assistance Programmes) and also with the media, including live appearances on BBC Radio Leeds.

CYP, Transcultural, Complex Mental Health

My core training both as a therapist and supervisor is in the Person-Centred Approach. My personal ethos on supporting people in either context is one which I like to describe as empowering and enabling. I believe my role as a supervisor is to assist you, the supervisee, to celebrate your existing knowledge and experience and gain new insights into personal or professional development issues; challenging you when necessary, to explore any matters which help you to expand your awareness and facilitate your work with clients.
In offering the ‘core conditions’ within supervision I endeavour to provide a space where it feels safe to acknowledge the difficulties you may be experiencing in your work, without fear of judgement or reprimand. I also hope to hear about work that you are proud of, as this is equally important. In such an environment, it is my experience that supervisees can celebrate their successes, be open to challenge, and grow both personally and professionally.
I do not believe myself to be the ‘expert’ in our relationship. I find that I learn as much from my supervisees as they may from me. Therefore, I aim to build a collaborative relationship between us.
I will acknowledge situations where I do have experience or knowledge, but will encourage your own exploration of issues raised, so that you are able to develop your own ‘internal supervisor’ more effectively.

Video, Audio, Live Chat, Email
+447772290986

£70 for 1hr
£105 for 1.5hrs
£135 for 2hrs

English

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