Counselling for Adults, Children and Young People with Susan
Susan has worked with all ages since 1997, addressing issues such as anxiety, attachment, trauma, depression, relationships, loss and bereavement, self-injury and OCD. She is a BACP Accredited Therapist who has a proven track record of helping people. She is experienced at successfully treating clients with a wide range of issues.
Do you know a child or young person who is experiences difficulties that it is affecting their quality of life? Susan is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable counsellors for children and young people in the South West. To date she has helped thousands of children and young people.
Her degree in Childhood Studies and a teaching qualification underpin a thorough understanding of child development. These inform her practice, alongside a long list of other counselling, animal assisted and creative therapy qualifications. Her experience and knowledge ensures effective, bespoke counselling of children, young people and adults.
Individual and Group Supervision
Clinical supervision supports you and your staff, underpinning the effective management of both workload and mental health. Since Susan’s training at Bristol University in 2001, she has supervised counsellors in private practice and schools.
Susan has also supervised teachers, teaching assistants, social, emotional and mental health professionals and Thrive practitioners.
Her specialisms are in children and young people, animal assisted therapy, equine assisted therapy and walk and talk therapy.
Her extensive work background enables her to have a very realistic and supportive approach to supervision in these settings.
Counselling Adults, Children, and Young People with Phoebe
Phoebe has been working therapeutically with children and young people for the past 5 years. Her diploma in Fine Art, and diplomas in Dog Behaviour and Dog Training mean she has the skills and knowledge to incorporate the use of animal, eco, and creative activities to assist the process. Phoebe is a qualified counsellor, a registered member of the BACP, and has a diploma in counselling children and young people.
Phoebe has worked with neurodivergent clients, people with addictions, and children in care.
She also offers counselling to adults in Taunton and Bridgwater and is currently undergoing training to specialise in trauma and PTSD.
For more information, you can email Phoebe at phoebe@alderbarntherapy.co.uk
Training
Susan has given numerous talks and trainings on working creatively with children, stress and mental health, animal assisted therapy, therapy outdoors, attachment, trauma, neuroscience, children’s behaviour, anxiety and depression and many more.
Consultancy
Susan is the SEMH Lead at a primary school and mentors children back into the classroom, avoiding the need for exclusions. Her therapeutic alternative provision also supports and empowers children who are reintegrating to school. Susan’s comprehensive understanding will help you with attachment and trauma issues, behaviour issues, training and policies.
Addressing Sexually Harmful Behaviour | The Gift
Susan has experience of working with children who have displayed challenging reactive and sexually harmful behaviours. The Gift intervention – practised by Susan – is for children in Somerset and was developed by senior social worker Jock McShik and Educational Psychologist Sarah Sutton. This specialist way of working can help children who display these behaviours, re-educate them and prevent offending in future.
Walk and Talk
Some people find being outside safer than having therapy in a room. Alder Barn is spoilt for choice of where to can walk or sit and reflect, and so can offer outdoor therapy to those who feel they would benefit from being outdoors.
For professionals, Susan offers the opportunity to learn more about what is involved with taking your therapy practice outside. They also host a regular network meeting for therapists interested in walk and talk therapy.
Working With Parents and Guardians
You care deeply about your child — and that care can feel heavy
If you’re here, it’s likely because you love your child fiercely and want to protect them emotionally as well as physically. You may worry about the impact of your words, your reactions, or the moments you didn’t show up as you hoped.
Quiet fears can surface:
What if I mess this up?
What if I unintentionally cause harm that lasts?
These worries don’t mean you’re failing.
They usually mean you’re a thoughtful, conscientious parent who wants to do better—without being shamed, judged, or overwhelmed.
A calm, non-judgmental space for parents
Parenting can stir up more than we expect. Stress, exhaustion, old patterns, and self-criticism often appear alongside love and devotion.
My work offers a compassionate space to slow down and make sense of what’s happening—for your child and for you. This isn’t about fixing you or perfecting your parenting. It’s about understanding the relationship and helping you feel steadier and more confident within it.
You are not doing damage by being human
Children don’t need perfect parents.
They need caregivers who notice, reflect, and repair.
Your concern, curiosity, and willingness to look honestly at yourself are protective. With support, it’s possible to reduce fear about long-term impact, build emotional safety over time, and trust yourself more as a parent.
A place to exhale
If parenting feels heavy with responsibility, fear, or self-doubt, you don’t have to carry it alone.
This is a space where your worries are taken seriously, your intentions are respected, and your humanity is welcome.
Stable Routes
Susan has created her own therapeutic programme to enable clients of all ages develop confidence, self-regulation and self-esteem. Through her training and experience as an Equine Assisted Therapist and Trainer, Susan will have her horses assist her with the therapy and draws upon evidenced-based approaches to achieve the therapy goals. This way of working is especially effective for children and young people. Susan works with schools, local authorities and private clients.
Animal and Equine Assisted Therapy
With its unique mix of animals and therapy, this popular route for adults, children and young people to access support often proves a successful alternative to counselling in a room. Currently it is unregulated, so finding someone who has the experience and qualifications to manage the depth of social, emotional and mental health issues is not straightforward.
A good question to ask is does the person hold the professional mental health qualifications to help you or your child without the animal present? Susan has the training and the competencies as well as being an accredited member of BACP, reassuring you that you or your child is in safe hands.
First Time Parents or Guardians
For pregnancy and first-time parents
Becoming a parent often brings a depth of care you may not have expected. Alongside excitement and love, there can be quiet worry—about how your emotions, your stress, and your reactions might shape your child in the long term.
You may already be thinking:
How do I do this without causing harm?
How do I stay calm, connected, and emotionally safe for my child?
These questions don’t mean something is wrong.
They usually mean you care deeply and want to begin parenthood with awareness, not fear.
A calm, non-judgmental space to prepare
Pregnancy and early parenthood can stir up old patterns, tender experiences, and self-doubt—often before your baby even arrives. This is especially true when you want to do things differently from how you were raised.
My work offers a steady, compassionate space for first-time parents to slow down, reflect, and make sense of what’s emerging. We gently explore your emotional world alongside your growing relationship with your child—without pressure to be perfect.
You don’t need to get it right to do it well
Babies don’t need perfect parents.
They need caregivers who are emotionally present, curious, and willing to repair when things feel hard.
Your worries about long-term emotional impact are not a sign of harm—they are protective. With support, you can build trust in yourself, understand how emotional safety develops over time, and begin parenting from a place of steadiness and connection.
A place to begin
If you’re pregnant or preparing for your first child and want empathic, non-judgmental guidance, this is a space where your concerns are welcomed and taken seriously.
You don’t need to have all the answers.
You just need a place to begin—thoughtfully, gently, and with support.
Fees
To see Susan, fees start from:
Counselling £70 – 60-minutes
Walk and Talk Counselling £70 – 60-minutes
Counselling Children and Young People £90 – 60-minutes
Supervision £105 an hour and a half
Parenting Consultation £120 – 90-minutes
Animal Assisted Therapy Session from £75 – 60-minutes
Equine Assisted Therapy Session £75 – 60-minutes
Stable Routes Programme £120 – 90-minutes
Online Counselling Session £70 – 60-minutes
Workshops – please contact for individual price
Consultation – please contact for individual price
To see Phoebe, fees start from:
Counselling for Adults £65 – 60-minutes
Counselling for Children and Young People £65 – 60-minutes
Animal and Eco Assisted Therapy £75 – 60-minutes
Alder Barn Therapy
Talk to the Team
To talk to Alder Barn Therapy about booking a counselling session or creative therapy, or to discuss volunteering, please contact the team today.