Alison Sutcliffe Counselling, Psychotherapy, Couple Therapy & Group Therapy: Brighton BN1, Hove, Online

I am an experienced BACP Accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist (trained at Metanoia) and I have been working with clients since 2009. I have worked with clients through a variety of challenging experiences in their lives including, but not limited to: abuse, anger, anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationships, shame, stress, feeling stuck, trauma. I’ve completed specialist online training in order to provide Online Counselling (I am an ACTO Senior Professional Member which means that I am qualified to the highest level in order to offer you a secure and confidential space online). I am a Person-centred psychotherapist – this means that I believe that every person is unique and has the ability to grow towards their full potential. I work with couples utilising the tried and tested Emotionally Focused Therapy method.

As well as individual and couple therapeutic work, I completed training in working with groups in 2011 and since then I have worked with groups of young people, groups of therapy students (at City Lit) and groups of adults within an NHS setting.

I have also trained other counsellors and psychotherapists to offer Online Counselling via Online Training For Counsellors.

I work in an LGBTQIA+ Affirmative way - I welcome all people regardless of how they identify themselves. Beyond this, I am continually informing myself about the breadth of cultural backgrounds and experiences that come together to make each one of us unique. Additionally I am continually updating myself about the advancements in my primary theoretical position - the Person-Centred Approach - and an aspect of this is being a member of the Person Centred Association.

I am dedicated to be the best that I can be, for the benefit of my clients, therefore I undergo regular clinical supervision. I hold full insurance in line with my professional body’s guidelines for best practise: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My details can be found on the BACP Register by searching for me via my name or my Certificate Number 107659 – counsellors have to meet a specified standard to join. If you need to make a complaint about a counsellor the process is found on the BACP website It’s Good To Talk.

I didn’t take a direct career path into counselling and pyschotherapy. I spent many years working in the IT industry before deciding that I needed a new direction in my life. I signed up for an introductory counselling course. This gave me the personal permission I needed at the time to seek my own personal therapy – the experience was transformative. My initial training, and my positive experience as a client, motivated me to proceed further and complete my full counselling training (fully qualified at Diploma level in 2010) and then top up my qualifications via a Masters course in psychotherapy (2022).

I am ‘recognised’ by BUPA Health Insurance, Aviva Health Insurance and AXA PPP Healthcare therefore you can access my services through your healthcare insurance.

Most recent first:

• MSc in Contemporary Person-Centred Psychotherapy and Applications - Metanoia Institute 2022
• Introduction To Focusing - Suzi Mackenzie 2020
• Working With Shame - Carolyn Spring 2020
• Talking About Sex In The Therapy Room - Meg-John Barker 2020
• Working with survivors of sexual violence - RASASC 2017
• Diploma in Online Therapeutic Counselling - Online Training For Counsellors 2015
• Making Trauma Therapy Safer - with Babette Rothschild 2015
• General Cert in Online Counselling Skills - Online Training For Counsellors 2013
• Group Facilitation Course - City Lit 2011
• Diploma in Practitioner Counselling Skills (person-centred approach) (= FULLY QUALIFIED IN 2010) - City Lit 2010
• Certificate in Counselling Skills - City Lit 2008
• Time Limited Counselling - City Lit 2008