My personal and professional philosophy is that we are all of equal value. I am interested in you, so welcome you whatever your background.

I work in what is called the person-centred approach, with its origins in humanistic psychology which is based on the view that everyone has the capacity and desire for personal growth and change given the right conditions. I like its gentle and effective way of assisting clients to feel liberated and gain a sense of agency in their lives.

I am a qualified and fully insured counsellor and psychotherapist and work with clients both face to face and via video-link or telephone.

Qualifications and professional registration

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which means that I have completed a recognised professional training course (Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy) and that I subscribe to their code of practice.

Additionally I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), ensuring the secure and confidential handling of all information in compliance with data protection regulations.

My Journey Through Life’s Chapters

I love the analogy of spinning plates as I think it conjures up exactly the right image of how midlife looked and felt for me; children, marriage, work, friendships, further education and running a home - and being a perfectionist I frantically kept those plates in the air as if my life depended on it.

I've since learned that perfectionism isn't helpful but self-kindness is and I regret that I didn't feel able to let more of those plates smash to the ground.

Rebecca Bussy standing against a large colourful wall mural of flowers and a kingfisher

Childhood

I’m a child of the 70s and 80’s and feel lucky to have grown up then - no social media pressure, no woke nonsense, freedom to explore, make mistakes and use common sense. I was sent to boarding school from thirteen to eighteen which was a unique but somewhat odd experience. I didn't dislike it but wouldn't have chosen it for my own children

Adulthood

Academically I was a disaster and left school without any idea of what to do next. Many crummy jobs later I applied to do my nurse training in London and loved it. For the first time I felt I’d found my tribe and a sense of belonging.

I’ve been married for over twenty five years, with plenty of highs and lows along the way. We have two children and are currently at a stage of having half an empty nest which I’m still adjusting to.

A cancer diagnosis came soon after I left the NHS. I absolutely didn’t see it coming, thinking I was a fit and healthy fifty something and then WHAM! To be faced with my own mortality was an unbelievably scary time. Thankfully all seems to be well. My view is that even out of the shittiest life situations there are always some positives and humour to be had.

Professional Career

I knew early on in my nursing career that I wanted to specialise in sexual health and that's where I stayed for about 20 years. I’ve worked in other specialist areas such as contraception, menopause, and HIV.

As the pace and demands of nursing become ever more pressured I kept thinking about retraining to become a psychotherapist. It had been mentioned as a possible option by a well meaning careers advisor when I was in my early twenties. Thankfully I had the nous to realise I was too young to do such a job. So about thirty years later I finally started my training…

Psychotherapy & Counselling Career

Most prospective clients just want to know if I can help them feel better but it may also help to know something about my professional training. I completed a postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling. That's just a fancy way of saying I am trained in a way which means that I draw from different therapeutic approaches to meet your individual needs and goals, rather than rely on only one method.

I am registered and professionally accountable to the BACP.

Things I love & Are Important To Me

Without doubt it's my family and friends. Laughter is vital and preferably lots of it. My friends and family would definitely say I love the colour orange. I actually love all colours but am partial to a bright zesty orange. I’m also seriously partial to a biscuit (the humble Bourbon) but find I just can't eat one (what would be the point of that?) with a hot cup of tea.

I also love walking, gardening and reading. It's about simple pleasures really.

REBECCA BUSSY