Torch-Light
Thank you for visiting my website.
Here is a little information about me.
I am originally from the UK and emigrated to New Zealand with my husband in 2018.
I am a mum of two adult children, a daughter who was diagnosed with Autism as an adult and son who has ADHD.
I have been supporting clients since 2004, and educating practitioners to develop therapeutic competences since 2010.
I have a passion for life-long learning related to therapeutic approaches and human behaviour.
I am driven by the value of social justice which means I am a strong advocate for all the clients I have the privilege to walk alongside during their therapeutic journey.
Although I am from the UK, I am dedicated to developing cultural competences, and implementing Māori approaches when and where appropriate, such as utilising Te Whare Tapa Wha model.
I am a full member of the NZAC.
I look forward to helping you gain an insight into the blockages, problems or situations that leave you feeling negative and provide you with the guidance to enable you to achieve your goals and become who you were meant to be.
See below for a full historical map of the development of my competences.
About Susan
Therapist and Trainer
Personal statement:
I am an enthusiastic self-assured Therapist, Supervisor and Tutor. My passion is to facilitate well-being for every individual I work with, supporting them on their transformational journey.
I am a Youth Mental Health First Aider, a Suicide intervention practitioner, and family violence co-ordinator. This means I am highly skilled at risk-assessment and safety planning. I have supported victims of Family violence since 2018 (including referrals from the Ministry of Justice), with extensive knowledge of connected processes such as Police Safety Orders, Protection orders and Parenting orders.
I am a trauma informed and responsive practitioner and have been part of the Family Works Northern trauma group, establishing and delivering the FWN internal trauma training.
I developed and facilitated a UK regulatory body accredited diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, increasing the skills of trainee therapists. I have the expertise to create bespoke mental health workshops and enjoy delivering these across educational and mental health institutions.
Since 2018, I have facilitated the Ministry of Justice Women Against Violence Education programme, The Parenting Through Separation Programme and the Children's Restore Programme. I have facilitated for Altogether Autism and would highly recommend their workshops to upskill employees via professional development days. Visit https://www.altogetherautism.org.nz/ for further information.
I am also passionate about supporting clients that are Neurodivergent. I advocate, counsel and support individuals with ASD, ADHD and ODD. This includes educating teachers, parents and children about ASD/ADHD, signposting to funding, training, and respite services.
General background:
I originally started supporting clients with the provision of Reiki back in 2004, and found that many clients were asking me questions that I didn't feel competent enough at answering. People wanted guidance on their mental health and well-being. I wanted to support clients in a proactive and solution focused way, so initially decided to complete a diploma in Hypnotherapy and Life Coaching. After a few years of a successful practice, I decided to complete a teaching qualification as I wanted to support other practitioners in the development of their therapeutic skills. I went on to complete a degree in Clinical Hypnotherapy and a Post Grad in counselling, and have loved extending my knowledge with continual professional development ever since.
I utilise a strength based multi systemic approach which includes: Person centred counselling, Sandtray therapy, play therapy, CBT, Psychotherapy, Gestalt, Hypnotherapy, and Life coaching together with information, advice, and signposting.
Take a look at my continual professional development further down the page.
QUALIFICATIONS
Greenwich University London, UK2015 - 2016 Post Graduate Certificate in Therapeutic CounsellingIncluded elements of: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Person Centred Counselling, & Psychotherapy Mid Kent College Medway, UK2014 - 2015 Level 3 City and Guilds Principles and Practices of Assessment Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement St Mary's University Twickenham, UK2010 - 2012 Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Clinical Hypnosis
St Mary's University Twickenham, UK2010 - 2012 Higher National Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy Canterbury Christ Church University Kent, UK2007 – 2009 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong learning sector
Kent College of Hypnotherapy 2010: Advanced Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy2008: Certificate in Life Coaching2007: Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy
Continual Professional Development
Jun 2023 Te Aorerekura - FWN - 1 dayJun 2023 Court open day - Tauranga court house - 3 hoursApril 2023 Child protection revisit - FWN - 1 dayMar 2023 Supervision skills for health and social services professionals -
Coaching and mentoring centre - 2 daysApril 2023 Working with youth on the autistic spectrum -
Arletta Van Den Bosh and Abigail Raymond - 2 daysDec 2022 Risk and safety planning - Rob Veale - 1 daySept 2022 Cultural connections - Tauranga council - 2 daysJune 2022 Supporting children who disclose sexual abuse - Dan Moss - 1 dayApril 2022 Sandplay continuation - Josie Scott - 2 days April 2022 Strangulation in the context of IPV – Rob Veale - 5 hoursAug 2022 Trans - Affirming Clinical Competencies for Clinicians: What We Need to Know - by Diana Prizgintas and Einstein HaleJuly 2021 Introduction to care for people with BPD - 1 day April 2021 Life after trauma -Jannine Eades Services professional education training April 2021 Trauma training - Bessel Van Der Kolk - Online 10.5 hoursMar 2021 Child consultation workshop - FWN - 1 dayOct 2020 Client goals and their motivation to change - FWN - 1 dayMay 2020 Assessing Suicide Risk during lock-down - Werry Workforce online trainingJan 20 Trauma responsive workshop level 2 - FWN - 1 day Jan 2020 Trauma responsive workshop level 1 - FWN - 1 dayFeb 2020 Safe and together model overview - Safe and together institute - 1 day Oct 2019 Sandplay - Josie Scott - 2 daysAug 2019 Working with Tane Maori and their supports - NZAC - 2 hoursJule 2019 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome workshop - Rose Hawkins - 1 day July 2019 Anti bullying - FWN - 3 hoursApril 2019 Suicide to Hope - Living Works - 1 day Jan 2019 Strength based approach to practice - FWN - 1 day Jan 2019 Family Violence - FWN - 1 day Jan 2019 FWN child protection and working safely with children workshop - FWN - 1 day
Nov 2018 Hika Ahi Workshop - Rangi Ahipene - 1 dayOct 2018 Kete 1 and Kete 2 - FWN internal training - 2 daysApril 2018 Youth Mental Health First Aid - MHFA England in collaboration with MIND -2 daysMar 2018 LGBTQ+ - Hern Bay counselling - 1 day Nov 2017 Understanding and supporting ODD and PDA -The contented child - 1 dayOct 2017 Child protection - Kent safeguarding children board Sept 2017 My Friends Youth skills for life - Salus - 1 daySept 2017 Awareness of DV and abuse - Kent safeguarding children board - 1 day Sept 2017 Safeguarding children from abuse by sexual exploitation -
Kent safeguarding children board - 1 day Sept 2017 Safeguarding everyone - Kent Safeguarding children board - 1 dayAug 2017 Safeguarding children in education - Kent safeguarding children board- 1 dayJuly 2017 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - Papyrus - 2 daysOct 2016 Adolescents and the need to cut - Herne Bay counsellor training - 1 dayDec 2015 eLearning: Working with Children and Young People with SEN - Place2Be - 1 dayDec 2015 eLearning: Speech Language and Communication Needs - Place2Be - 1 dayNov 2015 Children's Emotional Wellbeing - Place2be - 1 daySept 2015 Safeguarding children Training - Place2be - 1 dayAug 2015 Introductory Training Play Therapy - Place2be - 1 dayApril 2013 CBT Master class. Psychological treatment of OCD - by Rob Willson - 1 dayMay 2011 A Master Clinician workshop on OCD - Professor Paul Salkovskis - 1 dayApril 2010 Past Life Retrieval Therapy - The Kent College of Hypnotherapy - 1 day2009 Challenging Homophobia - MidKent College - 1 day2009 Behaviour Management Training - Pivotal Education - 1 day2009 Child protection - MidKent College - 1 day2009 Brain Friendly Learning - MidKent College - 1 day2008 Diversity in the workplace - MidKent College - 1 day
Professional experience
From October 2018 to Nov 2023.
Senior Practitioner Counsellor at Family Works Northern, Tauranga.
In this role I supported children and their families who were experiencing significant challenges that impacted adversely on the children, and worked with them towards achieving positive and lasting differences in their lives. This included, but was not limited to; experiences of family violence, suicide ideation, self-harming, sexual abuse, depression and anxiety. Some clients were supported via the Ministry of Justice funded route after experiencing high levels of risk associated to family violence. I was part of the trauma informed working group and a major influencer in the development and delivery of the trauma informed training. I was also responsible for establishing a positive reputation for FWN Tauranga in being able to advocate, counsel and support individuals with ASD, ADHD and ODD. This included educating teachers, parents and children about ASD/ADHD, signposting to funding, training, and respite services. I supported new staff members through their induction process and mentored them during this initial period and provide training to family workers to enable them to become competent programme facilitators. I facilitated the Family Works Northern Programmes which include: The Women Against Violence Education programme, The Restore programme, and the Parenting Through Separation programme. I left this role to move into full-time private practice.Aug 2017 - May 2018
Salus Group Kent, UK
In this role I supported and counselled young people who identified as having no consistent secure adult, displayed behaviours that indicated adversity, or had experienced domestic abuse. Many of the children were diagnosed with conditions such as: ADHD, ODD and Autism. I successfully improved the mental health and well-being of the children I worked with, together with school attendance and attainment. I left this position to emigrate to New Zealand. .Sep 2010 - Aug 2017
The Kent College of Hypnotherapy, West Malling, UK
Within this part-time role I created a UK regulatory body accredited diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, which included the full assessment criteria against the national occupational standards. Two independent training colleges purchased my assessment templates and resources to improve their assessment protocols and standards. Prior positions include: Mid Kent College, Maidstone, Kent, UK - Aug 2008 - Jan 2010 Role: Personal Tutor The Insight Centre, Maidstone, UKSep 2004 - Jul 2017 - Role: Self-employed Private Therapist.