Hello and Welcome

I'm Sue, founder of Ameliorate Counselling.

My hope is that lived experience,  human touch, academic experience, and a broad background enable me to sit with you when you need support, to manage your mental wellbeing, and find healthy ways of coping with your concerns.

I focuses on your individual needs, and foster a safe,

Hello and Welcome

I'm Sue, founder of Ameliorate Counselling.

My hope is that lived experience,  human touch, academic experience, and a broad background enable me to sit with you when you need support, to manage your mental wellbeing, and find healthy ways of coping with your concerns.

I focuses on your individual needs, and foster a safe, secure,  confidential and trusting space where you can to be yourself.

I offer a range of therapeutic approaches, rather than a 

'one size fits all' through an holistic lens. 

Counselling sessions are tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.

 Fostering an empathetic, inclusive, and a non-judgmental environment is at the heart of my practice, a space where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and feelings safely. 

Journey into Counselling

The journey that led me into counselling started over 20 years ago. Beginning with behaviour and forensics study, later studying and working within the Psychology and Criminology sector. Sadly, after witnessing the struggles and decline in mental health support, and the services offered, I decided to take a different pathway into Counselling.

  Life, and work experience, along with academic qualifications has ensured that I have gained a diverse understanding for my fifty plus years of life. 

I am a certified integrative counsellor, and an adoption counsellor, I am also a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) - MBACP,  and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) - MNCPS.

 I am a qualified trauma therapist, and integrate various techniques such as the flash technique 

by Dr Philip Manfield, IARTT rewind technique by Dr David Muss, and dream completion technique by Dr Justin Havens. Depending on what your presenting issues are, or during trauma therapy to help minimise stress and anxiety.

I am also an advanced practitioner in the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT-tapping therapy) and I practice as a mindful,  somatic - compassion focused counsellor.

As an integrative counsellor I generally apply a combination approach to therapy, because I do not believe one size fits all, drawing from lots of different theories, techniques, qualifications, and continuing professional development to tailor therapy to your individual needs.

Some of my training and qualifications include - although not limited to. 

· Working Somatically with trauma - Peter Levine, Deb Dana, and Arielle Schwartz.

· Blue Cross - Accredited Pet Loss Support.

· Basic and Advanced - Flash Technique training. Trained by Dr Philip Manfield. 

· Adoption Support Counselling (Albany centre, and Barnardo's)

· Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) advanced practitioner.

· Dip - Therapeutic safety in trauma (three phase trauma model).

. Level 5 - Working Therapeutically with Trauma 

· Level 4 - Integrative Therapeutic Counselling.

· Level 3 - Counselling Skills.

· Level 2 - Counselling Skills.

· BSc Hon - Psychology and Criminology.

· Forensic Psychology -Forensic Science.

 Meet Amelie 

The name 'Ameliorate Counselling' came from a combination of our dog’s name Amelie, named after the French film Amélie, who decides to make the world a better place by helping people find their Joy and happiness, and in the dictionary the word Ameliorate is described  as to make something more tolerable, better, or to improve

 Meet Amelie 

The name 'Ameliorate Counselling' came from a combination of our dog’s name Amelie, named after the French film Amélie, who decides to make the world a better place by helping people find their Joy and happiness, and in the dictionary the word Ameliorate is described  as to make something more tolerable, better, or to improve.

I believe that anyone can be BRAVE and BOLD, and turn trauma into triumph. With the right support, and empowerment, our vulnerabilities can become our strengths.  

 Generally half of my clients are males, which I feel humbled by. 

Having worked within various sectors, and charity organisations, I have experience of working with trauma and attachments, survivors of rape, sexual abuse, and domestic abuse, as well as charities within the LGBTQIA+ community.

I work with adults, and the number of sessions is dependent on your concerns, although the minimum amount of sessions I ask you to commit to is generally six. 

Session could be short or long term, such as trauma therapy which is generally a longer term therapy. 

I offer face to face counselling in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham with easy access to parking and public transport

and

Online Counselling throughout England.

Sometimes it is important to focus on ourselves for a while 

It can feel uncomfortable taking the first steps to seek support, talking to friends or family about the things that trouble us most may make us feel embarrassed or ashamed, and we worry about burdening them. Searching for counsellors - therapists can feel overwhelming.

Sometimes 

Sometimes it is important to focus on ourselves for a while 

It can feel uncomfortable taking the first steps to seek support, talking to friends or family about the things that trouble us most may make us feel embarrassed or ashamed, and we worry about burdening them. Searching for counsellors - therapists can feel overwhelming.

Sometimes it is important to focus on ourselves for a while. It does not mean me first, it means me too, and it's important to remember that self-care is not selfish. 

Counselling provides a safe space to take a breath, to think and explore yourself. 

Every client and enquiry is treated with respect, sensitivity, and dignity. 

I also understand with our current climate, weekly sessions are not always financially viable, I try to offer fortnightly session as an alternative where ever possible. 

Ameliorate Counselling offers a Safe Space

To support you with

· Imposter syndrome.

· Self sabotage.

· Adults who have experienced adoption, fostering, or growing up in children's homes.

· Help process traumatic experiences to gain safety, insight, and trust.

· Unresolved issues from childhood or in the past.

· Attachments - identify and  develo

Ameliorate Counselling offers a Safe Space

To support you with

· Imposter syndrome.

· Self sabotage.

· Adults who have experienced adoption, fostering, or growing up in children's homes.

· Help process traumatic experiences to gain safety, insight, and trust.

· Unresolved issues from childhood or in the past.

· Attachments - identify and  develop understanding, and build confidence.

 Improve - develop
 

• Self-confidence.
• Self-esteem.
• Self-acceptance
• To have a voice.
• Develop positive ways of thinking - gain a stronger sense of self.
• Identify - understand emotions, and emotional needs.
• Shame - guilt.

· Trauma, Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) or Complex post-traumatic stress (CPTSD).

 Flash technique - 

Rewind technique - 

Dream completion technique.

· Pet loss, grief - bereavement.

· Support with loss, grief - bereavement.
 

· Setting boundaries - creating healthy boundaries.
 

· Feel supported during a challenging time.
 

· Anxiety.

· Depression.

· Suicidal thoughts - feelings.

· Separation or divorce, to support you work through your feeling and emotions.

· Decision making difficulties - explore options.
 

· Mindfulness - Somatic - Compassion and Improve wellbeing.
 

· Make changes in your life.

· Identify root causes.

If you have experienced trauma, it is important to seek support from a qualified, and experienced trauma therapist. 

The importance of safety, co-regulation and trust is paramount to trauma therapy, to develop healthy coping strategies that meet your unique needs. 

 I work with the three phase trauma model, flash technique, rewind technique, and dream completion, along with a combination of other therapies and techniques to keep you safe and supported, such as nervous system regulation and somatics.