Psychotherapy, Counselling & Supervision
Face-to-face sessions in Brighton & Hove
or online
Welcome
Life can be challenging and the decision to seek help can take courage. Whether you are feeling depressed, anxious or overwhelmed, stuck in repeating destructive cycles or needing space for self-reflection I warmly invite you to contact me. We can set up an initial meeting by phone or video to discuss what brings you at this time and you can get a feel or whether you would like some ongoing sessions with me.
I am an experienced Psychotherapist and Counsellor working with an integrative approach that allows me to attune to what is most helpful for you. I offer a containing and accepting therapeutic relationship where we can look together at what you are going through. Expressing yourself in this setting can offer relief as you develop clarity and acceptance of your feelings. Strategies for managing symptoms and difficulties alongside an exploratory process of uncovering their roots can bring shifts that lead to lasting change. Increased freedom and ease in the choices you make and the way you relate to yourself and others can arise from the therapeutic process.
I work with adults and young people aged 16 plus, drawing on psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, mindfulness and trauma-informed approaches. I keep a perspective of social and cultural context, working with intersectional difference in a respectful and affirming way. Underpinning my work I have a breadth of clinical experience, self-development and academic study in the field, and a belief in the transformational potential of the therapeutic process.
I also supervise trainee and qualified Counsellors.
Experience
I began working in the field of mental health and emotional development in 1997 and as a qualified Counsellor in 2009. I currently work for the Rock Clinic and in private practice. I have also worked with students at Sussex University and at Mankind UK with male survivors of sexual abuse.
I am committed to ongoing professional and personal development so that I can help clients and supervisees as effectively as possible. I remain updated with on-going training relating to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome clients from all backgrounds. I have worked as a yoga teacher and take a holistic approach to well-being that includes body, mind and spirit.
I am passionate about this work and feel privileged to be accompanying people on their journey of self-discovery and development.
Training
I hold a BSc (Hons) Degree in Psychology from City University, London.
I am a qualified Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with a Postgraduate Diploma from Brighton University.
I am a registered and accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have completed a Diploma in Supervision of Counselling, accredited by the British Association for Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Supervision.
I have undertaken further in-depth training in Integrative Transpersonal Psychotherapy with Re-Vision, a course accredited by the UK Council for Psychotherapy.
I have training in CBT, Mindfulness, Trauma and Bodywork, Abuse, Psychosexual and Relationship counselling, Suicide intervention, Gender Sex and Relationship Diversity, Working with Racism, Adult and Child Protection, Addiction.
How I Work
I have a down-to-earth, friendly style of relating and hold a position of deep empathy and compassion for human struggles while also sensitively challenging ways of being and thinking in order to bring about insight and change. I work from a place of heart and intuition as well as thinking and intellect, all within the boundaries of a professional relationship.
By listening to you carefully I aim to attune to where you are emotionally and to meet you where you need to be met. This might involve the development of skills to manage your present life, the working through of past events or trauma and their impact, or exploring how to create greater meaning in your life as you move forward.
I can meet with you weekly for a few sessions of counselling to think specifically about an issue or can offer longer-term psychotherapy, giving the space to explore all aspects of your life and develop greater depth of self-awareness. You can stay for as long as feels right for you.
Different approaches to suit your needs
I trained originally in psychodynamic counselling, which focusses on recognising the impact of past experiences and how they live on in the present, with a view to freeing up choices about how to be. I work relationally with this material in the context of our therapeutic relationship, and I broaden my approach to integrate other lenses so that the whole of a person is included.
These include Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness techniques to work with distressing symptoms and habits and develop a more peaceful way of being, and Trauma-Informed Counselling to help move safely through traumatic experiences that have remained stuck. This integrative approach is held by a Transpersonal frame of transformation and wholeness. I underpin the process with an ethos of trust in each individual's pace and inner wisdom and a trust in the process.
Holistic frame
I take a soulful approach to therapeutic work, meaning everything is included. Connection to the body, mind and emotion, including the unconscious and shadow parts of the self, brings movement towards integration and harmony. Connection to the natural world, the cultural and social context and spiritual or existential meaning all have a place in developing well-being. Allowing all parts to be seen brings movement towards integration and wholeness.
What can therapy help with?
People come to me with a wide range of presenting symptoms. These often provide a starting point for connecting more authentically with self and the world. Here are a few of the more common difficulties that bring people to seek help:
Depression
Feelings of stress or anxiety
Low self-esteem or confidence
Abuse, trauma and post-traumatic stress
Issues relating to sex, sexuality or gender
Difficulties at work or in retirement
Existential or spiritual crisis
Panic attacks
Phobias
Relationship difficulties
Grief, loss or bereavement
Problems with addiction
Emotion dysregulation and anger
Understanding neurodiversity or other diagnoses
Supervision
I am an experienced and qualified supervisor and provide a supportive relationship for you to explore your client work and personal processes.
Our sessions can include reflecting on your practice together, exploring client material and opening up to new ideas and insights. I will also give you the space to process the emotional impact of the work and how that might connect with personal material. We can think about your self-care and how you might develop yourself professionally.
I supervise trainee counsellors on psychodynamic or integrative courses, and qualified counsellors who feel that my approach suits them (see How I Work). I can also supervise people in other roles within the helping professions.
I trained in supervision in 2015 and did some further training in 2019. I continue to develop my practice so that I can offer you and your clients the best possible support. I work within the ethical guidelines of the BACP.
If you are a interested in being supervised by me please contact me for a free phone call or video call to discuss your needs and explore whether we think we are a suitable match. I can offer supervision weekly, fortnightly or monthly. I charge £65 for 50 minutes or can deliver a different length of session if needed.
My Locations
I offer face to face counselling sessions in two locations in the Brighton and Hove area:
1) The Rock Clinic West, 8 Western Street, Brighton, BN1 2PG
2) The Rock Clinic East, 270 Eastern Road, Hove, BN2 5TA
These clinics are easily accessible to Southwick, Portslade, Kemptown, Saltdean and the surrounding areas.
In addition to providing face-to-face counselling, I also offer online sessions for clients in the wider Brighton/Hove area and beyond. Contact me to find out more about how online counselling works.
Fees & Availability
If you are interested in trying therapy with me, please contact me to arrange a free half-hour introductory phone or video call. This is to discuss your needs and help decide if I am the right therapist for you.
If you decide to continue with me, we will agree a weekly 50-minute slot that is yours for as long as you wish. I have daytime slots on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. My availability varies so please contact me to enquire. This can be in person or online.
I charge £65 per session. I offer a limited number of low-cost session for people on low-income.
Get in Touch
Please contact me, using the form opposite, with any questions about counselling or supervision, or to arrange a free introductory phone or video call.
I aim to answer enquiries within 24 hours.
All contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
©2022 Hannah Cummings
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