I am a BACP qualified and accredited Counsellor and have a certificate in Supervision from Strathclyde University.
I have worked in the field of personal development in various roles for 30 years. I have been a counsellor in schools for 15 years and worked in a number of local agencies and charities. I have experience of working with a wide variety of issues and people of all ages and cultures. I have completed Level 1 DDP training, which focuses on attachment based therapy for parents and children together and I am currently running training in Polyvagal theory, the science of safety and understanding the effects of trauma or neglect on the development of our autonomic nervous system. I also run a workshop on the adolescent brain . (see more in Training)
I live and work in the Harrogate area but also see clients in Leeds and online. I love my work and particularly enjoy working creatively with my clients.
I am an Executive Coach with over 30 years of experience, working internationally with people from many different cultures, industries and all levels. I also have considerable experience in mentoring people on their journey as well as some years supervising coaches.
I was one of the A4C’s first accredited coaches and I coached for the Institute of Directors for eight years. My coach supervision was learned with Robin Shohet, Michael Carroll and Judy Ryde.
I am now more or less retired but remain curious and wishing to be of service where my skills and character can have impact. Two of my core values inform my work:Cheerfulness – which means I can always see the positive side of adversity, and non-attachment – which means “it is what it is”.
I am passionately interested in how we can ensure we leave the world a better place for our grandchildren. Ignition – Creating a Better World for our Grandchildren provides a framework and prompts as to how we can shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance – a necessity if we are to safeguard our planet.Click here for information on how to purchase this and other items…
"Be the change you want to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi
Our purpose is to enable people to become more fulfilled in their lives and to improve their emotional and mental well-being through better relationships, more application of their strengths, greater happiness and confidence in themselves. In other words to become the best human beings they can.
Let's talk if you are looking for a space to:
People come to counselling for all kinds of reasons;usually they are wanting to change something in their lives. If it is important to you and/or making you unhappy, then that is a good reason to come.
I work as an integrative counsellor, which means I have developed my approach from a variety of theories. These include person- centred, psychodynamic and gestalt which I can explain more in our first session. I believe that the key to the success of our work is the relationship we build together and your willingness and motivation to be in counselling.
I like to work creatively with my clients, which means you will have the opportunity to use image and objects in our work if you would like to.
I will try to make you feel comfortable about talking and will keep what you say confidential. Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly for an hour and you decide how many sessions you would like. I will not put any pressure on you to keep coming or to stop.
Fees are based on £55 per hour with concessionary rates available.
Harnessing the energy of nature. The physical act of walking and moving forward can provide a powerful catalyst for personal change. The mind and body are integrally connected and when we change one we change the other. This is now considered a well researched and effective approach.The rhythm of a walk, harnessing the energies and healing powers of Nature and the possibilities of metaphor are the basis of Walk and Talk.If you would like to consider this way of working then please ask.
Sue works as an integrative supervisor and therefore she draws on a number of approaches and theories in her practice. She takes a phenomenological approach to her supervisees, believing that everybody’s view of the world is dependent on their experiences of it. This idea is compatible with the Rogerian Person-centred Theory, which forms the core of her Integrative approach. Her supervision training was based on a relational model and she focuses strongly on the supervisory relationship with her supervisees. She hopes to allow supervisees to experience supervision as a collaborative process and to become co-researchers looking at the issues and processes that have arisen through their work with clients.
John's supervision philosophy is to bring a common sense approach to working in a totally client focused way. He sees supervision as essential to good coaching practice: the edge which enables you to develop your craft and your wisdom. It is your time, for you to bring whatever is right in the moment to the session: a space to reflect, a space to explore and a space to grow. We will work in a way that works for you, safely and developmentally. Ultimately it is a co-creative process. He takes an integrative approach towards his work based on values, strengths and underpinned by positive psychology.
An Introduction to Polyvagal Theory
(The Science of Safety)
Understanding the Autonomic Nervous system to help support our clients
This training offers participants:
· A greater understanding of the Science of Safety/Danger (perceived or real)
· An introduction to the part our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) plays in this
· The link between our ANS, the Brain and Behaviour
· How our experiences build our ANS and Brain
· The effect of trauma/neglect can have on this
· An opportunity for reflection and self- awareness
· Some ways to help with regulation
In this 5 hour introduction, I try to make the science very accessible and give time for discussion and reflection with others. The training is appropriate for therapists, well-being workers, support workers, school staff and yoga teachers.
The aim is for participants to leave with a greater understanding and curiosity for human behaviour. It also often leads to organisations and individuals considering what they do well to enable their clients to feel safe and the adjustments they may want to make for them to feel even safer.
An Introduction to Polyvagal Theory
(The Science of Safety)
Understanding the Autonomic Nervous system to help support our clients
This training offers participants:
· A greater understanding of the Science of Safety/Danger (perceived or real)
· An introduction to the part our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) plays in this
· The link between our ANS, the Brain and Behaviour
· How our experiences build our ANS and Brain
· The effect of trauma/neglect can have on this
· An opportunity for reflection and self- awareness
· Some ways to help with regulation
In this 5 hour introduction, I try to make the science very accessible and give time for discussion and reflection with others. The training is appropriate for therapists, well-being workers, support workers, school staff and yoga teachers.
The aim is for participants to leave with a greater understanding and curiosity for human behaviour. It also often leads to organisations and individuals considering what they do well to enable their clients to feel safe and the adjustments they may want to make for them to feel even safer.
Practical Applications of Polyvagal Theory
This training builds on Part 1 and offers participants:
This is another 5 hour training, where participants should leave with a more in-depth understanding of Polyvagal theory and practical ways to use it in their work with clients.
Understanding the Power and Purpose of the Adolescent Brain
This training offers participants:
· A greater understanding of early brain development
· An introduction to the benefits and challenges of adolescence
· The link between the developing Brain and Behaviour
· How to balance risk and reward
· The effect of secure adult relationships
· An insight into how sleep affects our brains
· An opportunity for reflection and self- awareness
In three hours, this will be a very brief introduction to all these topics, I try to make the science very accessible and give time for discussion and reflection with others.
The aim is for participants to leave with a greater understanding and curiosity for adolescent behaviour and what we as adults can do to support YP in their transition into adulthood,
John has more or less retired and is enjoying the luxury of just being.
He offers executive coaching and mentoring for indivivuiduals who are keen to make more sense of who they are and where they are going in their careers and lives. He works with the usual coaching ethical principles and frameworks.
Engagements and processes are all tailored to the individual client's needs. The focus is always on what is needed right now, for the client..
The growth plant illustrates the way we work. The roots show our core values. We aim to provide you with an environment that honours these. Through living our values we foster your ability to grow at your own pace.We anticipate that you will experience an increase of one or more of the ‘petals’: self-awareness, resilience and resourcefulness, wisdom and meaning in your personal and professional life.
The petals:
Resourcefulness: an ownership of your strengths and capabilities, together with practical strategies for playing to them.
Wisdom: an appreciation of who and what you are and what you can offer to your world.
Self-awareness: a greater understanding of yourself and a clearer understanding of your strengths, blindspots and shadows.
Meaning: clarity of purpose that you feel passionate about and from which you can create meaning in your life.
Resilience: an increase in your resilience (inner strength) and how you can develop and nurture it.
The leaves:
Curiosity: we need to be open to possibilities and keen to explore the edges of our understanding for our clients and ourselves.
Compassion: deep, empathic appreciation of other people's circumstances underpins all our relationships.
Integrity: authenticity and congruence in all our behaviours and actions defines the quality of our relationships.
Trust: a bond of trust is crucial in making our work feel safe.
Respect: all our clients are worthy of our respect and have the capacity to make the choices that they need to make.
Copyright © 2025 Space to Grow - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy