Susie Christensen
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About me
I am a psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counsellor working in Brighton and Hove and online. I know that starting therapy can be a hard decision or feel overwhelming but I will offer a safe and non-judgemental space in which we can work together to explore whatever it is that you wish to bring.
My psychodynamic approach means that I believe our early life experiences shape us and the way we form relationships. Therapy can be a space to work this through and to make sense of aspects of ourselves or our behaviours that may be troubling us or feel confusing. However, therapy is not all about exploring the past; it can also be a space to think about and explore the way you are feeling now and the things happening in your life at the moment. Most importantly therapy is about you. This is your space and you can use it however feels best for you.
Therapy offers a space in which to be truly heard. Some people come in crisis, others to come and reflect on unwanted patterns of thoughts or behaviours or just to find a space to explore themselves. Therapy focuses on your thoughts and feelings and some people find it helps them to feel more real or whole, or to accept and integrate past experiences and find a story that makes sense to them. Coming to therapy can require commitment but can be an enriching and rewarding experience as well as sometimes a painful one. You are the expert in yourself, my role is not to give advice but to provide a safe space to think together about what it means to be you. If any difficulties arise we can work through these together.
I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and work within their ethical guidelines. I am at all times boundaried and professional but also warm and human!
Some people will come for a few sessions, others will stay for years. A key part of therapy is the relationship each client forms with their therapist. We will work together to make sense of and explore whatever you want to bring and for however long feels right for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counselling from the University of Brighton.
I have been practising as a psychotherapeutic counsellor since 2017. In this time I have worked with a wide range of clients from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some of the issues I have worked with include depression, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma, bereavement, eating disorders, cultural issues and more. I have also worked with many clients who are questioning or exploring their sexuality and/or gender identity. I work in a Gender, Sex and Relationship diversity and LGBTQ+ affirming way and have done training regarding working with Gender, Sex and Relationship diversity in therapy.
I have previously worked seeing clients for a bereavement charity and for a low-cost psychotherapy service in Brighton. In addition to my client work, I am a lecturer in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy at The University of Brighton. Prior to this I did a PhD in English Literature and taught this subject at King’s College London. This background in teaching and researching literature lives on in my interest in stories. Therapy can be a place for us to think about and perhaps reconsider the stories we tell about ourselves.
Other qualifications
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Ascentis Level 2 Awareness in Bereavement Care: The Foundation Course, Cruse
- The Introductory Lectures, Institute of Psychoanalysis
- PhD in English Literature/Medical Humanities, King’s College London. Fully funded by a King's College London Medical Humanities Studentship.
- MA in English Literature: 1850-the Present, King’s College London, Distinction.
- BA in English Literature, University of Sussex, First Class Honours.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Free initial online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Sessions are online or face-to-face in Hove for 50 minutes weekly and cost £65. Prior to this, I offer a free initial consultation so you can decide if I am the right counsellor for you. This initial session will be online or in person for 30 minutes. After this, you can decide if you wish to continue with ongoing sessions with me. I have a limited number of concessionary spaces available for those on a low income or out of work. Please enquire to discuss if this is applicable to you and if I currently have availability for this.
Prior to our initial consultation, I will ask for a few details from you such as full name, address, date of birth, email/telephone number and GP details. All data is stored privately and confidentially.
When I work
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