Having experienced adverse childhood experiences, Cherie Keeling understands the importance of having the right help during difficult times. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive space for teenagers, young people and adults struggling with their mental and emotional health. Through Sunflower Counselling & Wellbeing, she offers personalised, one-to-one support, tailoring her approach to the individual and incorporating creativity and practical coping techniques where appropriate. Here, Cherie talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the experiences that inspired her to become a psychotherapist, the journey to establishing her own practice, the challenges she has overcome along the way, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
My business was born out of multiple life-changing transitions. I’ve always been passionate about supporting people struggling with their mental health. Growing up, I was a young carer for my mum, who is diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Witnessing the complexity of those comorbid illnesses resulted in a longing to help people. Also, looking back, I now see how much I would have benefited from therapeutic support as an adolescent/young adult.
It wasn’t until I struggled with ongoing low mood myself, both before and after becoming a mum, that I accessed counselling. It was here I realised what ‘helping’ would look like. This gave me the understanding of the power of someone listening without judgement during difficult times, and how transformational this was for me and can be for others. That ignited a spark of ambition to progress into becoming a qualified psychotherapist. I wanted to help people struggling with their mental and emotional health.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
It’s been a rollercoaster of learning, growing and healing! I started out by volunteering across multiple mental health services, providing support to adolescents, young people and adults. It was through volunteering that I first witnessed the power of helping people through listening.
At this point, knowing I wanted to make a career out of helping, I started a part-time degree in psychology with counselling and a role as a therapy assistant for inpatient children and adolescent mental health services. It was in this role that I learned about the power of creativity and group support.
The years of unpaid volunteering and study finally paid off, and I was offered a role as a counsellor for a well-known charity, providing telephone and online support to children and adolescents with everyday struggles and in times of crisis.
During these roles, I was learning about the kind of support I wanted to offer. I knew I couldn’t work rigidly to a single model of therapeutic intervention, and the use of creativity in therapeutic support felt important to me.
All of this has been incorporated into the heart of Sunflower Counselling and Wellbeing, providing open-ended, one-to-one support that’s tailored to the client’s individual needs.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
For me, this was experiencing the power of therapeutic support and the person-centred approach to counselling.
Growing up, I learned to push my emotions aside, so talking about my struggles was something I did rarely. That first experience seeing a counsellor honestly changed my life. It was like a lightbulb moment, one that gave me acceptance and reduced resentment that had been building my whole life. For the first time, I felt lighter emotionally, and for me, that was incredibly freeing.
Experiencing that feeling made me feel compelled to help others in the same way, which sent me on a journey of learning, shaping me into the counsellor I am now.
One thing that stood out for me was the need to adapt and tailor support to the individual. Support can look different for everyone, which is why the support I provide can vary vastly from person to person.
A session always includes those core values of empathy, acceptance without judgement and genuineness; however, it can also incorporate coping techniques, creativity and therapeutic games, depending on the needs of the individual.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Honestly? I’m still working on it! I work part time for a children and young people’s mental health charity, whilst building my practice and supporting regular clients.
I often remind myself that I don’t need permission to rest and that having boundaries to protect my time and energy isn’t something to feel guilty about. Unsurprisingly, this is something I discuss with my clients regularly.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Studying for almost a decade meant juggling university alongside full- and part-time work, becoming a mum, maternity leave and lockdowns. There were times when managing all of this felt impossible, and I thought about quitting.
My passion for supporting people struggling with their mental health is what kept me going. Whilst there were tough times, I knew there were people out there that I could help. Plus, the resilience, lived experience and skills I gained in that time have shaped me enormously, both professionally and personally.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The autonomy of choosing where and when I work is amazing for balancing work around my family and life.
On the flip side, though, not being able to guarantee income is a challenge and can feel tough when there are bills to pay and mouths to feed. I feel being realistic about the expectations of this and understanding that a business can take time to build has been important.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I hope to continue to support people with their mental health through one-to-one support. However, I also want to use my experience of group work to create a network of groups offering support and connection, both online and in person.
Visit the Sunflower Counselling & Wellbeing website to find out more, and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
