Suzi at Work…
Underpinned by over 20 years of therapeutic training and experience, my professional practice has extended across the private, voluntary and public sectors – including 5 years working in both primary and secondary education, and 5 years within the NHS. My therapy practice in South Devon has been operating since 2010 and I have been teaching and mentoring students since 2014.
I am the founder and Clinical Director of Next Steps – for Living, Dying, Grieving, a counselling and support service for people who are experiencing issues relating to life-limiting illness, bereavement, grief and loss. For the last 2 years Next Steps has been working in close collaboration with St. Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, delivering talks and workshops in the local community and helping to set up a 250-strong network of compassionate friends’ – volunteers that are trained to support family, friends and neighbours who wish to die at home. I also manage the Kingsbridge Age Concern Centre, coordinating community projects and mental health and well-being activities for senior citizens in our area.
All 3 of my roles blend perfectly together and enable me to facilitate personal empowerment in clients of all ages, at all stages of life.
To read more about my training and qualifications please click here
Suzi at Play…
Whilst deeply committed to my work, I also have a real zest for life and a thirst for fun, travel and adventure. When my two children were young, the three of us took time out from the stresses of life after divorce, and spent a total of 18 months travelling around the world.
Our first trip took us around Europe, camping in Germany, France and Italy for a total of 7 months. Three years later, our second adventure took us to Australia, New Zealand and Southern Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Lesotho. I home-schooled both children during our travels – in a tent or campervan, on a beach, in the desert, up a mountain, even on a volcano – designing their education around the environment in which we found ourselves. Every place we visited broadened our understanding of the world, and nourished our souls. The whole experience has deeply enriched not only our relationship, but our entire perspective on life.
These days, I still love being out in nature and feel truly alive outdoors, particularly when wild swimming in the sea, or walking on the coastal path, on Dartmoor or in the woods near my home. Feeling that connection with the elements re-energises every part of my being and reminds me of the joys of living. My friends know me as “Pixie”, because being out in nature and spending fun time with my family or friends, brings out the playful, fun-loving and ever-so-slightly mischievous elements of my personality.
Apart from going camping and embracing my hippie soul at festivals, I have a regular self-care routine; I have to take care of myself, so that I can be fully present for my clients. I practice sound healing and meditation daily, practice yoga and swim in the sea as often as I can. I also love to write and study, and am currently just a few months away from completing my Masters’ Degree in Death, Religion and Culture at Winchester University.
As you can see, I lead a very busy and fulfilling life. I soak up every delicious moment that I can because I know, from working with end-of-life clients for many years, that it can all be over far too soon. “Live life to the full” is very much a motto I follow – as is “grow old disgracefully”.