Susan Helyar

Susan Helyar is a highly regarded counsellor with over 10 years’ experience. She has worked in a variety of roles with clients across a wide range of presenting concerns; she deeply values learning about the lives of others and enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds facing complex changes.

Susan’s approach to counselling recognises that people come from diverse backgrounds and that difficult experiences impact differently in everyone’s lives. She therefore also understands that counselling needs to be tailored to suit the circumstances and preferences of each person. To do this, Susan listens deeply, gains a thorough understanding of each person’s experiences, and creates a space where clients feel safe to explore their concerns. Her goal is to support clients to gain new perspectives and integrate new insights and skills into everyday life so they can maintain progress, continue growing, and thrive long after the counselling relationship ends.

Using a range of evidence-based therapeutic methods, sessions with Susan are future‑focused and strengths‑based. Clients are therefore supported to articulate meaningful goals, to define what “flourishing” or “thriving” means to them, and to identify the priorities that will shape their way forward. Methods such as Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, and Solution-focused approaches then focus on helping clients see possibilities rather than just problems. Susan believes counselling provides a valuable opportunity to work together with her clients to build self-awareness, expand life skills, and develop healthy relationships that promote stronger connections and support wellbeing.

• Bachelor of Social Work