DR SUSAN BRUCE

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

I am Dr Susan Bruce, Licensed Clinical Psychologist. I graduated from NewcastleUniversity in 2002 with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. I have over 20 years experience working with children and adults presenting with a range of emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

I have treated many psychological difficulties, including but not exclusively Anxiety,Depression, low self esteem, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Functional Neurological Disorder, TICs Tourette’s, ADHD, PTSD and behavioural difficulties. I also have expertise working with psychological difficulties related to medical conditions such as chronic pain, cancer and epilepsy. I work with individuals and families. Some people come to see me and actually do not know where to start and just feel stuck.

I am trained in EMDR and have additional skills and experience in CBT (CognitiveBehavioural Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and IFS (internal Family Systems). I work collaboratively with my clients to reach a mutual understanding of their difficulties, so that I can tailor interventions to meet their specific and unique needs. For this reason, I do not work with rigidly with one type oftherapy. I would describe my therapeutic approach as integrative. I do not believe that people fit into little boxes, and a more flexible approach is needed to help people make progress and reach their desired aims. I spend time listening and understanding the concerns of my clients and build up an understanding of the difficulties they bring. This usually results in a therapy plan. The assessment process where we work to build up an understanding of how the difficulties have developed and what keeps them going, can be therapeutic in itself. With my younger clients this involves a lot of drawing and playing depending on their age.

It is important for prospective clients to know, that whilst people often bring their own labels or diagnosis to sessions, this is not in itself what directs the therapy. My clients(and people in general) are far far more than a set of descriptive labels. Anxiety or depression for example, might bring people in to see me, but it is understanding the person behind the label, that as a Clinical Psychologist, I need to understand. My therapy is bespoke; no two people are alike. I provide a non-judgemental safe space for clients to share their experiences with me, which is strictly confidential. The only caveat, where confidentiality cannot be maintained, is where is risk of harm, e.g. self harm, suicidal intent or thinking, or child protection issues in my younger clients.

Therapy is a difficult process, and at times clients may feel worse before they start to feel better. It is important to be aware of this. It is part of a therapeutic process that targets those difficult issues that have impacted on quality of life. It is a privilege to do my job, and I love it. I have worked with and helped some wonderful and inspiring people of the course of my career, who in turn have also taught me a lot too!

I am HCPC registered and engage in regular training and supervision to ensure that my skills and knowledge are kept up to date and in line with good practice guidance.

Training and qualifications

• Hons Psychology
• Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

ACCREDITATION TO PROFESSIONAL BODIES

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered

AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

• Mental health children and adults
• Adjustment to difficulties