COUNSELLING IN LEWES, EAST SUSSEX
Welcome
Professional counselling to explore your
thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns,
break free of your barriers
and become the person you want to be.
Testimonials
A WARM HELLO TO YOU!
Are you an individual aged 18+ living in the UK and looking for either short term or long term, easy-to-access affordable counselling?
I offer three ways of counselling for you to choose from:
using video and telephone calls.
In-Person Counselling
therapy rooms in two East Sussex Locations:
within a ten mile radius of Lewes.
About Me
My name is Suzie Bright (she/her). I live in Lewes, in East Sussex (near Brighton) with my husband and our cats. I enjoy nature, sunshine, exploring new places, gardening, animals, and authenticity.
As a fully qualified and insured counsellor I am a registered member of National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), and abide by their code of ethics. Click here to read my NCPS profile. Click on the NCPS logo under my photo on the right to see my membership certificate.
The NCPS register has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. The Accredited Register Programme was set up by the Government to improve standards and safety for the benefit of the public. Registration demonstrates my commitment to high standards, to enhancing safety and delivering a better service.
I have a current Enhanced DBS Certificate.
I am a member of the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO), the leading organisation for online therapy and online therapists. ACTO promotes, maintains and improves online counselling and psychotherapy as a recognised method of therapeutic delivery within the mental health professions. I am an ACTO Member (Level 1), membership number: 1678.
Who I work with:
I work on a 1:1 basis with adults, aged 18 and over, living anywhere in the UK. I work with a diverse range of people, on a wide range of issues. The themes I notice arise most frequently in therapy sessions are...
- Grief and Loss:
You may be grieving a loved one, or a relationship. Or feeling a loss of belonging, loss of self identity, loss of purpose, loss of self-esteem or confidence, or a general loss of joy.
- Depression and Anxiety:
You may be living with a persistent feeling of flatness, stuckness, and a mix of sadness, anger and fear which prevent you from living your life.
- Living with more authenticity:
You may want to gain deeper self awareness and work out what changes to make, in order to become more you.
When we are feeling bad about ourselves our whole life can suffer, and we can feel very alone. It can be hard to get out of this cycle and we can feel very stuck. In your counselling sessions I will help you to feel seen, heard and connected so you can break through the dark clouds.
My Approach
I work empathically, and in collaboration with my clients to improve their general wellbeing.
My core approach is trauma informed, and person centred. I believe that you are the expert of your own life, and I will relate to you equal to equal. During your first few sessions I will agree a therapeutic contract with you to ensure you set the direction and pace of your therapy.
I am a culturally sensitive counsellor. I understand this to mean having heightened sensitivity to any experience of oppression or discrimination you may have had due to your race and ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, socio-economic status and ability status.
If deemed appropriate I may invite you to use art and creative methods to aid the therapy. I can provide you with some psycho-ed on how trauma affects the human brain, polyvagal theory, attachment theory and TA theories.
The modality I trained in is Transactional Analysis (TA) which is a humanistic therapy all about increasing self-awareness, personal growth and change. If you wish I can help you to discover conscious and unconscious messages, you received during your childhood which formed your personality and life script. I can help you to think about how your life script might be limiting you from flourishing and becoming the person you want to be.
Experience
I launched my private practice, Brighter Days Counselling in October 2022 soon after gaining my professional qualification. In June 2023 I started work as a Counsellor at The Bower Tree, which offers low cost therapy to individuals, groups, and families in Sussex.
During my counselling training I completed my placement (Jan 2021 - November 2022) at Frontline Therapist, an online culturally sensitive counselling service for Black and Asian Minority Ethnic individuals and all individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds living in the UK.
Before becoming a professional counsellor, I worked as a frontline worker in and around Brighton and Hove for 25 years. I worked in projects run by charities in the third sector with vulnerable and marginalised client groups. Client groups I have worked with include:
- Vulnerable young people (aged 16 to 25) at risk of homelessness living in supported accommodation projects, and in local authority emergency accommodation.
- Children and young people living in care.
- Children and adults with learning disabilities.
Qualifications and Training
Diploma in Counselling (Level 6)
The Link Centre, Plumpton, East Sussex (Sept 2022).
Foundation Certificate in Transactional Analysis Theory
The Link Centre, Plumpton, East Sussex (Jan 2020).
Foundation Certificate in Art Psychotherapy
Goldsmiths College, New Cross, London (June 2002)
Continued Professional Development
Working with Complexity in Grief
Brighton Therapy Partnership (Oct 2024)
The Bedfordshire Centre for Therapeutic Studies
(Aug 2024)
Working with PTSD and Trauma Responses
KRD Training (August 2024)
Foundation Certificate in the Application of Polyvagal Theory
in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Temendos (June 2024)
Addiction, the Brain & Recovery
MindBody Breakthrough (May 2024)
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
Counselling Tutor (October 2023)
Foundation Certificate in Bereavement Counselling
Temendos (March 2023).
“Trauma is not what happens to you, it’s what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.”
Dr Gabor Maté
“I'm OK, and so are you.”
Erik Berne
"What is the bravest thing you've ever said?" asked the boy.
"Help" said the horse.
The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse - by Charlie Mackesy
Walk and Talk Therapy
I offer Walk and Talk Therapy in green spaces within a 10 mile radius of Lewes, East Sussex.
Walk and Talk Therapy is counselling outdoors in the fresh air, amongst nature where you can relax and breathe deeply. We will walk together at your pace, according to your abilities and needs, along a pre-planned route. Routes are either circular, or walking in one direction then retracing our steps back to the beginning. In my backpack I bring foldaway stools and a couple of waterproof mats to sit on so there's opportunity to rest.
There are many proven benefits to being outside in nature including reduced anxiety, depression, stress and anger, increased confidence and self esteem. There are also benefits if you are experiencing loss and bereavement, or going through crisis or transitions. In nature there are many metaphors allowing us to work with symbolism, and for you to find solutions and new perspectives.
At your assessment we will talk about confidentiality, safety elements, and your needs. We will then agree on a public green space to meet. I will prioritise what you are comfortable with and what works for you. If you'd like to know more, here's a good article on Walk and Talk Therapy.
Online and Telephone Counselling
I am a certified Online and Telephone Counsellor. I can provide this way of counselling to you in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.
For online and telephone counselling, it's important that you are in a safe, comfortable, quiet and confidential space where we won’t be interrupted or overheard for the whole 50 minutes. As long as these requirement are met then you can choose a location that works for you. Your environment should be somewhere you are able to fully concentrate and feel as relaxed as possible. This might be in a spare room at home, in your parked car, in your friend’s/ family member’s house, or somewhere outside.
Video calls
Currently my favourite video call provider is Google Meet which is GDPR compliant and easy to use. For a video call session the most important thing is that you have a reliable wifi signal either on your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop.
Telephone calls
When possible I prefer to use either WhatsApp or Signal for telephone calls as these apps are end-to-end encrypted, although ordinary calls are fine too. Telephone calls are an option if you feel uneasy about video calls, or if you do not have strong or reliable wifi.
In-Person Counselling in Glynde, East Sussex.
I offer in-person counselling at The Buttery (4 The Old Dairy, Glynde, Lewes, BN8 6SJ) which is owned and operated by Lewes Country Therapy Rooms.
Set on the site of a historic village dairy, this quaint little stand-alone building benefits from plenty of natural light and peaceful views towards Glynde village church.
- Private WC
- Two designated parking bays and additional free on-road parking.
- Easily accessible by train, bus, car or bike.
- Ground floor disabled access
In Person Counselling in Lewes, East Sussex.
I also offer in-person counselling at The Old Coach House (Castle Ditch Lane, Lewes, BN7 1YJ) which is owned and operated by Valentine Voice Care.
The building is tucked away behind Lewes High Street. You can find it by either walking up Pope's Passage to the left of the Rights of Man pub, or avoiding the High Street by walking along Castle Ditch Lane. It is easily accessible by public transport: 10 minute walk from Lewes train station, and nearest bus stop is Lewes Law Court which is a few minutes walk away. If you are driving then Market Lane Car Park is just a 3 minute walk away, and only costs 80p for 1 hour of parking.
The therapy room is located on the first floor. It is a walm, calm, and comfortable space with soundproofing to ensure confidentiality.
Booking
Your first step:
Book your free 15 minute
Online or Telephone Discovery Call.
Your second step:
Book your 50 minute
Online or Telephone Assessment
at the reduced fee off £20.
Your third step:
Book and pay for sessions one at a time directly with me.
Fees
Please note: All my fees will be increasing by £5 on 1st Jan '25.
Online and Telephone Counselling:
*£30 per session (Discounted Rate).
£40 per session from 10am up to 6pm.
£45 per session from 6pm up to 8pm.
£40 per session from 10am to 4pm.
In-Person Counselling:
Therapy rooms are in Glynde and Lewes, East Sussex.
£55 per session from 10am to 6pm
(dependant on room availability).
*Discounted Rate:
Online counselling is available at a discounted rate of £30 per session for those whose total household income* is under £25,000 a year. Evidence is required to qualify. I will need to see 3 months of bank statements for income verification.
You can also get the discounted rate if you are a previous
Frontline Therapist client.
Please note:
I ask that if your household income changes at any point during your therapy, please let me know.
*Total household income is the combined income of your household before tax, including money received in benefits.
Get in touch
You are welcome to send me a message using this form if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange a phone call, or initial assessment.
Please check your spam email box as my emails often end up there. Then you can save my name and email address in your contacts list.
You can also call/ text/ whats app me on 07378 372 358 if you would prefer. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Practice Open Times:
- Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am - 8pm.
- Fridays 10am - 5pm.
Please be aware that sessions are in process during these times, so I will respond to your enquiry as soon as I am able, usually within a few days.