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SUSANNAH

Susannah is a qualified Solution Focused Practitioner and a Speech and Language Therapist. Throughout her NHS career, she specialised in working with adults whose communication is affected by stroke, brain injury or neurological conditions.

Ten years ago, Susannah trained in Solution Focused Practice, having discovered the approach at work. This has revolutionised the way she works with her patients and allowed her to support others with their mental wellbeing through her private practice.

A keen cyclist, gardener and golfer, Susannah is also a volunteer for the Let’s Keep Talking helpline. She is registered with the Royal College of Speech and has gained accreditation with both the UK Association for Solution Focused Practice (UKASFP) and the International Alliance of Solution Focused Teaching Institutes (IASTI).

WHAT DO THE CLIENTS SAY?

What difference has it made? "Made him more introspective and openminded. Not scared anymore. He has learned that his past is there but able to move forward. We had talked that the past would always be there but could be put in a box and contained - Felt numb at the start, but he is now beginning to feel more whole and have more energy." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "The sessions helped him. It was good to talk with someone who is there to understand you, won’t judge and enables you talk about how you are feeling. Helps you to see the bigger picture and will increase your confidence. If you start to talk you will see a change within a month!" – Anon

What difference has it made? "Always lived thought everything negative. Have now been able to see the positives within the negatives. Realised at the end of the conversations I have talked about positives that I didn’t know were there. The questions helped her to find the postiives." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Go for it! It will help them and be beneficial." – Anon

What difference has it made? "It has given me back me. Made me realise that life is short and to stop worrying about the small things. I have learned to believe in myself again. You have done that for me. It feels as if there is a different world out there now. You have given me motivation to carry on and be me. I can’t thank you enough. I have felt understood and listened to." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Don’t consider – just do it. They are brilliant. They don’t delve into your past unless you want that. Just do it, it will make you feel better. Talking to a stranger is like emptying your basket of worries, it’s been amazing." – Anon

What difference has it made? "Not feeling weighed down with everyday stuff. Able to go out during daylight and not bothered by strangers. Mind not as full – freer in my mind. Able to go shopping during daylight, cooking again and eating meals." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Take self out of the comfort zone. Try it. Open up during the sessions and tell them what is going on. It is helpful." – Anon

What difference has it made? "It has been nice, talking to someone. Not within family – who can listen. You’ve been brilliant, thank you." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Please take them up, they are helpful." – Anon

What difference has it made? "Made it so easier to talk. Knowing it was confidential had a space to vent. If I hadn't had the sessions I might not be here today. They were really helpful." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "I would highly recommend. It has been very helpful to me and I would say, 'Give it a try'." – Anon

What difference has it made? "I got out of it what I wanted when I didn’t know what I wanted. Made me realise the milestones to take, Knew it was going to be tricky but helped me to realise what I needed and wanted to do." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Definitely I would say – Take it. It focuses on the future and helps you get from where you are to where you want to be. It is very different from any other therapy you might have had and it ‘DID GOOD'" – Anon

What difference has it made? "I have definitely become more open with my family. Communication has improved, and I have felt more able to express myself. I wouldn't have stopped smoking so quickly otherwise." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Go for it! It is a comfortable and safe space where you are free to talk about anything.'" – Ben, Sheffield

What difference has it made? "Talking with you has helped me to relax. It has helped me to ‘build up my mind’. It has been very helpful." What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "I am always sharing with friends how helpful it is." – Anon

What difference has it made? "Big difference – they have helped with reflection and I feel more able to look forward and not to ruminate on the past. " What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "I recommend them – they are a good length, the ability to choose the frequency of calls is helpful, it works around person, sessions are flexible and cater to people’s needs." – Anon

 What difference has it made? "I always think it is good to talk with someone not involved with the mess around me. Has got it out of my head. " What would you say to anyone else considering sessions with us? "Helpful listening to her wherever she is during the week – the GTT approach is more in the here and now. Some counsellors keep you in the past and take you back to previous conversations, whereas this approach just picks you up from where you are. It has helped her with her neurodiverse brain which cannot remember what she was talking about at a previous session." – Anon