‘It is hard to verbalise an experience that has changed my life so clearly, has given me the methods to live freer, to love deeper, to bask in the happiness I deserve. However, it is so very easy for me to identify the person who has helped me consistently along the way. Simon gave me a space that I felt safe in every week. He showed me the value of being heard, even during the appointments when words escaped me. In my time working with Simon I’ve learned how much I matter, how much my voice matters and this, to me, has been invaluable.’
‘Throughout the year and a half with Simon his patience, empathy, and kindness did not falter or run out. At all times he gave me the space to control our sessions and their direction. He trusted that together we would work through to the issues I was at the time unable to confront or understand, and he was absolutely right. Without his assistance and guidance I would never have made the progress I did in those 18 months, and the progress I have made on my own since our last session together would have been impossible to imagine. I remain immensely grateful for his skill and quiet understanding, and for the empathy for myself he helped me to grow.’
‘I worked with Simon throughout my 4 year Psychotherapy training. He supported me weekly by creating a compassionate space which allowed me to process that journey while in parallel, uncover and rediscover my life’s journey. Throughout our jointly created trusted relationship, Simon’s approach encouraged and empowered me to create a newly trusted relationship with myself, the people closest to me and when the time came, to do the same with my own clients. Within our work together, curiosity took the place of criticism and creativity and playfulness took the place of old rules and limitations, with Simon always meeting me where I was at. I will always remain grateful to Simon for his empathy, honesty and unwavering belief in me and I bring it with me into my own client work. I couldn’t recommend him more highly.’
‘I saw Simon before and during a big shift in my life both personally and professionally. Through my sessions with Simon it became apparent how much help I needed to build my self esteem, belief in myself, and to cope with loss. Simon is a calm, supportive, and sincere person. He helped me develop the tools and strategies to put myself first after a long time of not doing this. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I felt safe and supported with an LGBTQ+ counsellor.’
‘Over my time working with Simon I really found the space to listen to myself, explore what I wanted in my life and what options were open to me. I have struggled with being very influenced by the opinions of those around me, which had limited my set of choices and the horizon I could see for myself. Having a non-judgmental place to really listen to my own feelings gave me the opportunity to figure out where I wanted to go next in both my career and personal life. Simon has been kind, non-judgmental and encouraging to me, and gave me the tools to keep listening to myself in the future. We explored together at a steady pace different areas of my life, including my career, family, sexuality, friendships and hopes for the future. Through counselling I have found the confidence to understand what it is that I want, and not feel so worried about the opinions of those in my life.’
‘I worked with Simon for over two years during a period of significant change in my life. I arrived carrying old baggage and a lot of uncertainty personally, professionally, and creatively. From the start, Simon’s good sense of humour and gentle, grounded presence put me at ease. At the time, I was beginning to use my voice more purposefully through podcasting, writing, and stepping into new creative spaces. That growth brought with it lots of self-doubt, fears of rejection, and questions about whether I was truly worthy of being in creative spaces. Simon helped me gently unpack those feelings, exploring long-standing patterns around self-worth and fear. Over time, I grew more confident, clear, and connected to what really matters to me. He held space for both the emotional complexities I was navigating and the creative direction I was finding without ever forcing either. Our work together was truly transformative. I’m deeply grateful for the clarity and confidence I gained, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend Simon to anyone seeking thoughtful, compassionate support on their personal or creative journey.’
WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS
SpunOut, Ireland’s youth information and support platform:
‘We have worked with Simon a number of times and he has been a pleasure to work with. Simon is an expert facilitator who holds a space with care, passion, joy and professionalism. The work Simon puts in before a workshop is clear and shines through in his organisation, calm and ability to connect. Our volunteers have greatly enjoyed Simon’s Life Writing Workshops and we would work with him again in a heartbeat.’
What some of the SpunOut volunteers had to say…
‘The workshop was incredibly insightful and inspiring! Simon was amazing, I don’t journal often so it was positive encouragement 🙂 I also loved the focus around Audre Lorde.’
‘The workshop was very fun and engaging. Simon was very open and made the workshop fun as well as interesting.’
‘Really enjoyed the life writing workshop, really gave me a new perspective of journaling.’
‘I really, really enjoyed the workshop. It gave me space to reflect and reminded me of how important writing actually is in my life. It feels almost to have revived that part of me that loves to write and loves to share parts of myself, and the facilitator was so good and made me feel comfortable in being able to sit and write, and for that to be an ok thing to do that isn’t wasting time. I also loved the empowerment element of it, particulary with the quotes!’
‘I found it really informative and I liked the interactive part of the workshop. Simon was a fantastic facilitator.’
Margaret Galvin, Wexford (PCI College Life Writing workshop attendee):
‘Simon Forsyth is a gifted facilitator, kind, intuitive, confident and deeply sincere. He engages all of these qualities in his zoom course on Life Writing. Zoom is impersonal and removed but Simon still manages to infuse this medium with his personal warmth, wisdom and respectful openness to all that the participants brought to the day.
He’s also a very hard working practitioner who ‘delivers the goods’. In advance of the course he emailed a most helpful selection of readings on the theory and practice of life writing . On the day he guided us through a well explained range of exercises to stimulate recall and personal revelation. He responded to each contribution with the listening heart.
I recommend anyone, whatever your writing focus, creative or therapeutic to avail of Simon’s courses. The day was of great benefit to me both in my own creative writing practice and in my writing work with social care groups. I attend many courses to improve my learning. This one is gold star!’
Nozomi Counselling & Psychotherapy 