Sue Cook Counselling

About Counselling and Psychotherapy in Bath

If you have never had counselling or psychotherapy before you could feel nervous or uncertain about what happens, but usually this evaporates early in our first hour together as you find you are able to talk about things which have been worrying you or making you unhappy.

Counselling and psychotherapy are special kinds of conversation in which one person - the client or patient - does most of the talking while the other person - the counsellor or psychotherapist - uses skilful questioning or thoughtful reflecting to help you understand connections between the past and the present. Our time together will enable you to "unhook" from unhelpful or unwanted patterns of thought or behaviours and to see more clearly the healthier choices available to you.

The relationship between counsellor/psychotherapist and client is perhaps the most important contributor to the work we do. You don't have to do anything or "work" at this relationship. However, it is often a mirror to what has happened or is happening in other significant relationships in your life, both past and present and can give us both powerful clues on how to bring these hidden ways of behaving into the open.

Sometimes you might be asked to do some "homework" such as keeping a journal of your thoughts between the sessions, or breathing exercises to aid relaxation and reduce stress. But it is entirely your choice whether or not you do this.

The sessions are confidential except for certain specific "at risk" situations and these are explained in the Therapy Agreement you will be given at our first meeting if you decide to commit to having counselling or psychotherapy with me.

A counselling/psychotherapy session may be the first time you feel you've truly been listened to, without being judged or dismissed, by a person who is offering you respect, genuineness and empathy and focusing their whole attention on you and your well-being.

Sometimes when you are talking about painful areas of your past or present, you may feel sad, upset or angry. As a counsellor/psychotherapist I will not be shocked by anything you tell me, or by your tears or outbursts. These expressions of emotion lead to healing and you are free to be you.


What Conditions Can it Help?


The Talking Cure, as psychotherapy or counselling is sometimes described, brings relief to a wide variety of problems though it is not a "magic wand." You will gain most by being willing to try new ways of thinking or behaving which might be outside your present "comfort zone."

I am confident I can help you if you have suffered any of the following: bereavement, losses - of people, animals, parts of the body, health, jobs, or a sense of purpose or joy in life.

Also if you have suffered trauma - accidents or incidents which still cause you problems, such as nightmares,flashbacks or phobias or self-harming behaviours.

Abuse - whether recent or in the distant past - sexual, physical (including violence in the family or bullying)or emotional. Anxiety and depression.

Relationship problems, whether gay or straight, in couples, families or stepfamilies. Health or work-related issues and those in adoption and stepfamilies.

There are other reasons why people feel the need to talk to someone, which are less easy to pin down. Feeling unhappy,lonely or disconnected from life, while outwardly seeming successful and "together". Having too many demands in your busy schedule and little time for you...Sometimes outwardly coping people see time for themselves as a luxury they don't deserve, but perpetually "running on empty" can lead to burnout and serious health problems if ignored.

If I have not mentioned something that is worrying you, please give me a call to discuss your needs. It may be that I can help, or that my co-therapist Bob Dray FBACP, would be the better choice. He is especially skilled and experienced in drug and alcohol addiction and his BACP Fellowship award recognises this. In addition, he has years of experience in working with men who have been abused. Bob is also available to see you in Bath.