Stephanie Fortescue

I offer open-ended or short-term therapy either online or face-to-face. Which option may be best for you can be discussed in the initial consultation. The way I work is based on the notion that the past can affect your experiences and feelings in the present, along with the idea that important relationships, perhaps from early childhood, may create a pattern for how you respond to people later on in life. As a therapist, I aim to be as neutral as possible, without sharing much information about myself. This makes it more likely that important relationships (past or present) will be mirrored in the relationship between us, thus giving crucial insight into helping you to work through your relational or relationship difficulties. The therapeutic relationship is an important part of therapy as it can reveal the way in which a person interacts with those around them. We will often assess emotions, thoughts, early-life experiences, and beliefs to gain more understanding into your present-day problems. We will also highlight patterns which may be recurring, this could help you to see the ways in which you and/or your partner may be avoiding difficult situations or to see defence mechanisms you may have developed as a way of coping. In doing so, you will be able to take steps towards changing and challenging those patterns, thoughts, and behaviours either as an individual or as a couple.

I’m a BACP registered fully qualified counsellor and therapist. I completed my post-graduate psychotherapeutic training at Brighton University, during which time I worked within the LGBTQ+ communities. Prior to this, I worked providing rape victim support, as well as in general psychotherapy clinics within the East Sussex area. I have worked in private practice for 8 years with a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, anger management, substance misuse, PTSD, Autism, ADHD, and more. I also have a BA (Hons) degree in Sociology and part Psychology and an earlier career background in teaching.