Hello and Welcome

I'm Sue, founder of Ameliorate Counselling.

My hope is that lived experience, a human touch, academic experience, and a broad background better enable me to sit with you when you feel in need of support.

Ameliorate Counselling 

Focuses on your individual needs, in a safe, secure, trusting, and confidential space, to support

Hello and Welcome

I'm Sue, founder of Ameliorate Counselling.

My hope is that lived experience, a human touch, academic experience, and a broad background better enable me to sit with you when you feel in need of support.

Ameliorate Counselling 

Focuses on your individual needs, in a safe, secure, trusting, and confidential space, to support you to manage your mental wellbeing, and finding alternative ways of managing.

I offer a range of therapeutic approaches, rather than a 

'one size fits all' 

Sessions are tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.

 Fostering an empathetic, inclusive, and a non-judgmental environment is at the heart of what I do, 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 25 years ago. Beginning with behaviour and forensics study, then 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, and 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 qualified as a trauma therapist, and I 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 - compassion focused counsellor.

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

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

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

· Trauma Therapy (three phase trauma model).

· Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) advanced practitioner.

. 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' 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 happiness, and in the dictionary the word Ameliorate is described  as to make something more tolerable, better, or to improve.

My belief is that anyone 

 Meet Amelie 

The name 'Ameliorate' 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 happiness, and in the dictionary the word Ameliorate is described  as to make something more tolerable, better, or to improve.

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

 Generally, at least half of my clients are males. 

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 six. 

Session may be short or long term, such as trauma therapy which is generally a long 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 overwhelming taking the first steps to seek support, or talking to friends or family about the things that trouble us most may make us feel ashamed, guilt or embarrassed, and we worry about burdening them.

Sometimes it is important to focus on ourselves for a while. It

Sometimes it is important to focus on ourselves for a while 

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

Sometimes it is important to focus on ourselves for a while. It does not mean me first, it means me too. 

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 sensitivity, dignity and the utmost respect. 

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

 Safe Space

Ameliorate counselling can support you to/with

· Imposter syndrome.

· Self sabotage.

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

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

· Unresolved issues from childhood or in the past.

· Attachments 

 Safe Space

Ameliorate counselling can support you to/with

· Imposter syndrome.

· Self sabotage.

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

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

· Unresolved issues from childhood or in the past.

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

 Improve - develop
 

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

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

 Flash technique - 

Rewind technique - 

Dream completion technique.

· Support with loss, grief or bereavement.
 

· Setting boundaries - creating healthy boundaries.
 

· Feel supported during a challenging time.
 

· Anxiety.

· Suicidal thoughts and feelings.

· Depression.

· Peri-menopause - Post menopause.

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

· Decision making difficulties - explore options.

· Improve wellbeing.
 

· Mindfulness.
 

· Make changes in your life.

· Identify root causes.

If you have experienced trauma, it is important to seek support from an experienced and qualified trauma therapist, to build trust, rapport and safe 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.