Individual Conversations
Online / In Person
Susann Herrmann
Clinical & Occup. Psychologist, MA
London | Isle of Wight, UK
A space to pause and look honestly at your life
Individual sessions offer a quiet, confidential space to reflect on what is happening in your life — and how you are meeting it.
People often come when something no longer feels quite right. Life may appear to be functioning well on the surface, yet underneath there may be stress, restlessness, uncertainty, or a sense that the way you are living no longer quite fits.
In our meetings, we take time to slow down and look carefully at what is present. Rather than trying to fix things, we explore your experience with curiosity and honesty.
Often, this simple act of looking begins to open space — and from there, clarity can emerge.
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Many people who come to this work appear to be coping well outwardly yet feel unsettled or disconnected within.
Often they are:
carrying significant responsibilities at work or in family life
moving through change or uncertainty
experiencing stress, reactivity, or emotional pressure
sensing that the way they are living no longer quite fits
They are not usually looking for quick solutions, but for greater clarity, steadiness, and a more honest way of meeting life.
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People come with a wide range of questions and concerns, including:
stress, overwhelm, and burnout
emotional reactivity and self-criticism
relationship challenges or relational confidence
life transitions, including grief or loss
questions of meaning, direction, or life choices
developing presence, clarity, and resilience
cultivating a more compassionate understanding of yourself and your experience
Our work may also include elements of mindfulness-based approaches such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), alongside reflective inquiry that helps you explore your experience more directly.
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My work brings together clinical and occupational psychology, secular mindfulness, and the wisdom of the Zen tradition.
Psychology provides a grounded framework for understanding emotional patterns, stress responses, and relational dynamics.
Mindfulness strengthens the ability to notice what is happening in the present moment – in the mind, body, and emotions — with greater steadiness and clarity.
Zen-informed inquiry encourages a simple and honest way of meeting life as it is, including uncertainty, difficulty, and change.
Together, these support a practical and compassionate way of understanding yourself and responding to life with greater care and clarity.
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Each person's situation is different, so sessions unfold naturally through conversation and reflection.
Sometimes we explore a situation that feels difficult or unclear. At other times we look more closely at patterns of thinking or reacting that shape your experience.
There is no rigid structure to follow. Instead, we stay close to what is present — allowing insight to develop through careful attention, rather than through force or analysis.
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This work supports change not by trying to fix yourself, but by learning to meet your experience in a different way.
Over time, people often notice that they:
respond more calmly in stressful situations
feel more grounded in everyday life
understand their thoughts and emotions more clearly
begin to see situations more fully, which often brings clearer and more considered choices
develop a stronger sense of direction and what truly matters in their lives
meet challenges with greater steadiness and perspective
For some, this brings more emotional balance and confidence. For others, a renewed sense of meaning or a quieter trust in how to move forward.
These changes are often gradual but deeply felt.
People tend to feel more present, more connected — both to themselves and to others — and more aligned with how they want to live.In a simple way, they begin to feel more alive to life.
How it works
We talk
We begin with a brief, informal conversation to explore what brings you here and whether this way of working feels like a good fit.
There is no preparation needed and no pressure to continue.
We begin
If it feels helpful, we arrange sessions that suits you. Some people come for a short period around a particular transition; others choose an ongoing space for reflection and support.
We continue
Over time, the work deepens through regular conversation, reflection and attention to what is unfolding in your life.
The pace and direction are shaped around you.
Practical details
Sessions are available:
Online via Zoom
In person on the Isle of Wight, UK
Elsewhere by agreement
Session length:
30 minutes — £50
60 minutes — £95
90 minutes — £110
Additional information:
Members receive 10–20% discounts depending on membership tier.
We can explore what works best when we first speak.
Beyond the sessions
For those who wish to deepen the process, there are simple ways to stay connected between sessions. These include:
Sitting Meditation Group | Online
Regular meditation practice held in a steady and supportive environment. Explore →Membership
Access to guided contemplations, meditation recordings, and reflective talks. Explore →
These can support the work as it continues in everyday life, not only within our sessions.
A few common questions
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No. Many people I work with are completely new. The work is introduced in a practical, accessible way and paced to suit your experience and readiness.
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People come for many reasons — including stress, anxiety, burnout, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, work challenges, life transitions, or a sense of feeling disconnected. Sessions are shaped around what is most present for you.
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Drawing on my background as a clinical and occupational psychologist, the work integrates psychological understanding with a coaching-oriented, experiential approach informed by mindfulness and Zen practice. The emphasis is on clarity, resilience, and meaningful engagement with life.
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Alongside conversation, there is an emphasis on present-moment experience — thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations — allowing insight and change to emerge more naturally.
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If you are drawn to a calm, reflective, presence-based approach — and open to exploring experience rather than seeking quick solutions — this may be a good fit. You are welcome to get in touch to explore this.
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Is this work focused on changing me?
Rather than trying to fix or change you, the work supports a different relationship to experience. From this, meaningful change often emerges naturally.
What does “Alive to Life” mean in practice?
It points to meeting experience more directly — with awareness, responsiveness, and care. In practice, this often means becoming less reactive, more present, and more able to engage with life as it unfolds.
Is this approach religious or spiritual?
No belief is required. While Zen informs the work, it is offered in a secular and practical way, focused on lived experience rather than doctrine.
A first conversation
Reaching out can sometimes feel like a significant step.
You do not need to arrive with a clear problem or explanation. Often it begins with a simple sense that something in your life is asking for attention.
The first conversation is informal and usually lasts around 15 minutes. There is no obligation — simple a chance to see whether this feels like a helpful place to begin.