Susan Aston Counselling
COUNSELLING Barnstaple
Care, compassion, connection.
Private Counselling
Workplace Mental Health
Therapy Room Rentals
About Me
My name is Susan, an experienced, qualified Counsellor, Mental Health in the Workplace Trainer, certificated teacher in Adult Education, providing professional genuine and grounded services to individuals, couples and businesses.
I am a member of the BACP and adhere to their Ethical framework and code of practice. My core approach is integrative and person centred. I am insured, ICO registered for data protection Reg No. ZA761461 and DBS checked. I continuously update my professional development to ensure I offer you the best service that I can, combined with my experience and training as a Counsellor and Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
Counselling offers a neutral space to tell your story, your experience, in your own words, to be listened to without judgement, a time to talk, a time to think, a time to process how you feel.
Stress at Work and it's effects cost the UK over £22million pounds a year in 24/25 (Ref HSE). Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations, employers have a legal duty to protect employees from stress.
I offer talks on Stress and Mental Health and a
'Drop in, Listen and Signpost' service tailored to the needs of each business.
My office is located in Barnstaple, where I also run a Therapy Room rental service for counsellors and psychologists.
Qualifications
- L4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- L3 Award in Education and Training (RQF)
- L3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace
- L 3 Award in Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace Trainer
- L2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
- Certificate in Mindfulness for Professionals
Experience
My experience includes over 30 years lived experience of autism and ADHD within the family, Counsellor for RABI Farming Community Scheme as well as delivering Mental Health Training into the farming community and organisations such as JLR. Voluntary experience of bereavement support, work experience within the Care sector, contributor to research by Lincoln University/NAS/Dogs for Good Charity investigating the impact dogs have on autistic children and their families.
My counselling experience is working alongside adult clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, bereavement, autism, ADHD, low self esteem, trauma, abuse, those who are caring for another family member, change, transition, loss including issues relating to the menopause, attachment and social anxiety.
I worked for three years delivering Mental Health in the Workplace Training within a larger organisation, now offering bespoke, tailored Workplace Mental Health support
Make choices, take the step.
Make choices for yourself that are based on self-compassion, not self-survival. Counselling can help to shine a light of understanding and insight into the past and present, to help inform and guide a pathway into the possibility of future self-enhancement, self-worth and self-care.
Reaching out can be a hard step, maybe a courageous step. The bravest thing you can be is yourself. I am here to support and connect with you when you are ready to do so.
I bring my own lived experience alongside my training to offer a space that adheres to my core principles of Unconditional Positive Regard, Empathy & Congruence and the Ethical Principals of the BACP
Couples Counselling for Autistic/ADHD & Non Autistic/ADHD
Navigating the complexities of neuro-diverse relationships requires both expertise and empathy. Most couples counsellors do not have the skills and understanding required to navigate through the unique issues facing ND/NT relationships, often leaving couples feeling misunderstood, invalidated and hopeless about improving the situation. (ref Tony Attwood, Maxine Aston Relationship Counselling with ND Couples, 2025).
Research has shown that sometimes the non-autistic partner in a long term relationship mirrors the traits of autism (Ref Rodman 2000) Later described as the Cassandra phenomenon - the invisible walking wounded (Ref Rodman 2003). Sometimes the autistic partner will find talking therapy too much, however much can be gained for the non-autistic partner to receive counselling.
Either coming as a couple or one partner alone, I am here to offer a place for you to be listened to, be acknowledged and seen.
Grief
There are aspects of grief that most people go through, but there can be no method that meets the the unique needs of your grief; in my bereavement work every person I meet I work with in a different way. My core approach is empathy, acceptance and unconditional positive regard, to gently go at the pace that suits you, in a way that suits you. Your grief may be because someone close to you has died or because you are going through other losses. Loss of a job, relationship, health, friendship or pet, some people grieve the loss of a pet, just as they would a human friend.
Depression & Anxiety
Everyone's experience will vary, common signs of depression can include feeling down, upset or tearful, empty and numb or you may be feeling isolated and unable to relate to other people. Signs of anxiety can include feeling restless, difficulty in concentrating or struggling to sleep. Some people have both depression and anxiety. Counselling gives you space and opportunity to talk about how you are feeling and explore where these feelings may originate from.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences are highly stressful and potentially traumatic events or situations that occur during childhood or adolescence. It can be a single event or prolonged threats and breaches 'safety, security, trust or bodily integrity' (Young Minds 2018). Just like attachment it has an impact into our adult lives and can increase certain health conditions, both physical and mental. 1 in 3 diagnosed mental health conditions in adulthood relate to ACE'S. The longer or greater the number experienced, the bigger the impact.
ACE'S can include physical, emotional or sexual abuse, loss of a parent through death, divorce or abandonment, exposure to domestic violence or a parent abusing alcohol or drugs. All these things can have a negative impact on our well being, our self - esteem and how we value and see ourselves in the world as adults and can affect our relationships with our partner, our children, family, friends or work colleagues.
Abuse is when someone causes us harm or distress. It can take many forms from disrespect, control to physical or mental pain, it can happen to any one, through no fault of your own, it could be current or historical and can lead to lack of self - worth and confidence.
Workplace Mental Health
Stress is 'the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them'.
According to the TUC, work related stress has become the most significant health and safety issue facing the UK workforce (Ref 14/01/26) For every £1 invested by employers in workplace mental health the ROI is £4.70 (Ref Deloitte UK Analysis) This return is driven by reduced absenteeism, lower employee turnover and restored productivity.
I am an experienced Mental Health in the Workplace trainer, delivering courses to a diverse range of organisations, however each business and each employee is unique and a 'one size fits all' approach is not for every one.
I offer bespoke Mental Health Support to your business and your employees, either through:-
Talks on Stress and Mental Health
or
Drop In, Listen & Signpost Service
Continue reading...
Not everyone wants or needs deep, long term counselling, but simply need a space to be listened too, within the emotional safety and framework of a qualified counsellor, who can listen non- judgementally, allowing the employee to feel supported, understood and validated, thus reducing stress, mental fatigue and conflict. Being heard is the cornerstone of healthy communication.
This service can either be conducted at your place of business or at my therapy rooms in Barnstaple. Sessions are 20 minutes in length - minimum contract 3 sessions in Barnstaple or 6 sessions outside of Barnstaple - on a rolling weekly, bi weekly or monthly basis.
Includes manager telephone/zoom support 20 minutes per month.
Autism/ADHD Counselling
I offer Counselling for Autistic/ADHD adults, everyone has the right to live the life that is fulfilling to them, but the expectations of family, society and culture often leads to pressure on the individual, which leads to autistic fatigue and burnout and loss of meaning and purpose.
Staying mentally well within the framework of a life lived within autism can be challenging. Anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts are not uncommon in adults with autism and/or ADHD. Add on challenges with executive functioning, difference in communication and socialising, individuals can soon reach a place of overwhelm.
I also work with adults who have a diagnosis of autism - often given in the teenage years - or autistic behaviours, but are not sure if this is the right fit for them. Trauma and Autism can overlap in what is called 'diagnostic overshadowing'. Both conditions frequently result in emotional dysregulation, sensory processing issues, social withdrawal and changes to routine. (Ref Attwood & Garnett 2024)
My Location
My practice is based at Suites 6-8, 30 Boutport Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1RP, which is easily accessible from the surrounding areas such as Bideford, Braunton, South Molton. It is situated on the 2nd floor directly above Stags Estate Agents, easy to find and convenient for local car parks.
Boutport Street is on regular bus routes and Barnstaple bus station is only a few minutes walk away and the train station less than 15 minutes walk with hourly services to Exeter. The stairs are wide and shallow, however there are no lift facilities. The toilets are located on the 2nd floor.
Fees & availability
- Counselling £55 per hour - individual
- £65 per hour Couples or £95 per hour & half couples
- Drop In, Listen & signpost service from £70
- Mental Health Talks/Training from £75
I offer an initial 20 minute phone/zoom call free of charge for counselling, first session charged at a fixed fee of £25
For businesses looking for bespoke Mental health support, one hour consultation free of charge.
My normal hours of work are Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
- I also offer therapy room rental space for qualified, insured counsellors and psychologists, on a flexible basis.
- Therapists must be qualified to a minimum L4 Diploma, insured, DBS checked and member of a UK recognised professional/ethical organisation.
If you are in crisis and need immediate support please contact your G.P. or:
- NHS 111
- Samaritans 116 123
- National Suicide Support Helpline 0800 689 5652
- Text SHOUT on 85258
Get in touch
Please contact me via email, text or phone. I will always endeavour to respond within 48 hours