“I have seen 14 therapists in my life – Suzy was the only one to offer genuine understanding and practical advice around skin picking. She has helped me to understand my skin picking and treat myself with compassion. This journey has taken me to a place of empowerment, balance, and acceptance that I never thought I’d reach. Thanks to Suzy, I now have practical techniques and a concrete plan to help me manage my skin picking on a daily basis. It’s a plan that I can use for the rest of my life” – A, Bristol, 2024

I appreciate that for many people it can be a big deal to seek help with picking, and that it may be important to you that your counsellor or psychotherapist has an understanding of picking. My research and therapeutic work has given me insight into the many diverse processes, motivations, contradictions and complications of picking.

My experience means that I understand how deeply upsetting picking can be, and how difficult it can be to stop. I have a good understanding of how to structure therapy for different clients, and I know which interventions have most helped others. I can tentatively offer ideas when you feel unable to put words to your experiences, and I can normalise your experience and frustrations by sharing what has worked for others.

One of the cornerstones of my approach is the need to view picking with curiosity and compassion. I don’t believe that it’s helpful to pick a fight with the picking – I’m sure that you’ve already tried that and I know the vicious cycles that can come from it. Instead, I’m interested in the function that picking serves, the place that it takes you to and the space that it fills. I want to know the thoughts that stop it and the ones that let it happen. I am careful to not just work with the picking in isolation, but to understand its more complicated emotional context, making sure we’re working sensitively with the root of the behaviour.

My approach is tailored to each individual’s presentation but may incorporate elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT), Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) and relational psychotherapy. If you would like to discuss therapy or book a session, please contact me here.

If you are a parent of a child who picks their skin problematically and you would like to be able to support them sensitively and compassionately, see here.

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