Susie Fowler-Watt: From BBC Look East Legend to Psychodynamic Counsellor
Susie Fowler-Watt is a name synonymous with trust, warmth, and professionalism in British regional broadcasting. Known primarily as the Lead Presenter of BBC Look East, she has graced television screens across East Anglia for nearly three decades. However, beyond the newsroom, Fowler-Watt has embarked on a profound journey of personal and professional transformation — one that bridges the world of journalism and the study of the human mind.
Born in 1969 and based in Norfolk, England, she has successfully balanced a life that spans family, broadcasting, and now psychotherapy. Her story embodies lifelong learning, compassion, and reinvention — qualities that continue to inspire many.
Early Life and Education
Raised in a supportive and intellectually curious environment, Susie Fowler-Watt showed early promise in communication and storytelling. She pursued her education with dedication, later choosing a career in journalism — a decision that would define much of her professional life.
Her academic journey later took a significant turn when she joined the University of Essex, where she completed her Master’s in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Her outstanding performance earned her the prestigious Kegerreis Prize (2024), awarded for excellence in the Masters programme. Today, she is pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Psychodynamic Counselling at the same university.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Susie is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), underscoring her professional credibility in the field of mental health and therapeutic practice.
Journalism Career: Three Decades at BBC Look East
The Beginnings
Susie Fowler-Watt began her career with the BBC at just 21 years old, starting at BBC Radio Suffolk before moving through various BBC outlets, including Westminster. Her keen sense of curiosity and ability to connect with people quickly established her as a reliable and empathetic voice in British broadcasting.
Rise to Prominence at BBC Look East
In 1997, she became Lead Presenter for BBC Look East, based in Norwich, Norfolk. For over 28 years, she has been a central figure in the newsroom, delivering local, national, and human-interest stories with grace and authority.
Her calm demeanour and professionalism made her a household name in East Anglia. Viewers consistently appreciated her clarity, integrity, and ability to handle breaking news with composure.
In addition to her work as a presenter, Susie has written columns for EDP Norfolk, offering thoughtful perspectives on life, family, and personal growth.
Commitment to Ethical Journalism
Throughout her media career, Fowler-Watt remained committed to public-service journalism. She often highlighted community issues, celebrated local achievements, and gave voice to under-represented stories. Her authentic communication style reinforced the BBC’s ethos of accuracy, impartiality, and humanity.
Transition to Psychodynamic Counselling
A Shift Towards Emotional Storytelling
After decades of telling other people’s stories, Susie Fowler-Watt turned inward — seeking to understand the deeper emotional currents that shape human lives. Her work as a journalist had long involved listening, empathy, and reflection — all qualities essential in psychotherapy.
Her transition into psychodynamic counselling was both natural and deeply personal. She began formal studies in the field, eventually earning her MA and now progressing towards her doctorate. This academic pursuit signifies not just a new career path but an expansion of her lifelong curiosity about people’s experiences and emotional worlds.
Psychotherapy in Practice
Now practising as a psychotherapist in private practice, Susie works with adults in schools and private settings, helping clients navigate emotional challenges and personal growth. Her counselling approach draws upon psychodynamic principles — exploring how early experiences, relationships, and unconscious processes shape present behaviour.
Her dual identity as a journalist and counsellor gives her unique insight into storytelling as healing. Both roles involve deep listening and holding space for truth, whether in front of a camera or within a therapeutic room.
Academic and Professional Recognition
At the University of Essex, Fowler-Watt’s work has attracted admiration from both peers and faculty. Her ongoing Professional Doctorate explores issues linked to emotional wellbeing, self-understanding, and the impact of early life experiences on adult relationships.
Her academic research connects to her lived experience, as she has spoken openly about growing up in a boarding-school environment run by her parents — a formative experience that influences her current doctoral focus on staff working in loco parentis (acting as parental figures in educational settings).
The Kegerreis Prize, awarded to her in 2024, reflects her commitment to academic excellence, critical reflection, and the integration of therapeutic theory into real-world practice.
Her membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) confirms her adherence to professional and ethical standards in her practice.
Personal Life and Family
Susie Fowler-Watt lives in Norfolk, in the East of England, with her family. She is married to Alex Dunlop, a respected BBC Look East reporter. The couple met through their shared work at the BBC and have built both personal and professional lives rooted in communication, community, and storytelling.
They have two children — a daughter and a son — and Susie often refers to being a “proud mum” on her social media platforms. Family life remains central to her identity, grounding her amidst the demands of journalism and psychotherapy.
She has described herself as someone who values empathy, kindness, and integrity — qualities she brings into every aspect of her life.
Public Presence and Media Engagement
On social media, Susie Fowler-Watt maintains an active and professional presence.
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On X (formerly Twitter), her verified account @susiefowlerwatt features updates from BBC Look East and reflections on current affairs.
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On Instagram (@sfowlerwatt), she shares glimpses of life beyond the newsroom — her studies, family, and insights as a psychodynamic counsellor.
These platforms show a person who balances professional commitment with humanity, offering audiences a look into both her public and private selves.
Awards and Achievements
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Kegerreis Prize, University of Essex (2024) – for excellence in Masters in Psychodynamic Counselling.
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Over 25 years of service with BBC Look East, marking her as one of the programme’s most recognisable and respected presenters.
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Columnist for EDP Norfolk, providing a platform for reflective and thoughtful writing beyond broadcasting.
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Professional Membership (MBACP) – ensuring her counselling practice aligns with national ethical and therapeutic standards.
Personality and Public Perception
Colleagues and viewers describe Susie Fowler-Watt as compassionate, articulate, and deeply empathetic. Her ability to connect authentically with people, whether through a television screen or in a counselling room, sets her apart.
Her journey demonstrates courage — stepping into academia and psychotherapy after years of media success — and humility, embracing the role of student and practitioner once more.
She represents the modern professional who refuses to be confined to one identity, instead merging creativity, intellect, and compassion into a meaningful career portfolio.
Legacy and Inspiration
For over three decades, Susie Fowler-Watt has been an integral part of the East Anglia media landscape. Her evolution from journalist to psychodynamic counsellor mirrors a larger cultural shift toward mental health awareness and lifelong learning.
Her career reminds us that reinvention is always possible — that listening deeply, understanding others, and pursuing purpose can lead to profound personal growth.
Whether reporting the day’s headlines or helping someone unpack their emotional story, Susie Fowler-Watt continues to champion truth, empathy, and human connection.
Conclusion
In a world that often values speed over reflection, Susie Fowler-Watt stands as an example of balance — between intellect and emotion, professionalism and humanity. From her early days in broadcasting to her current role as a psychodynamic counsellor and doctoral researcher, she has continually sought to understand people at their deepest levels.
Her story is not only about success but about growth, authenticity, and service.
For audiences, students, and clients alike, she remains a symbol of what it means to evolve — gracefully, purposefully, and with heart.
FAQs
1. How many children does Susie Fowler-Watt have?
Susie Fowler-Watt has two children — a daughter named Lola and a son named Hugo.
2. What is Susie Fowler-Watt’s age?
She was born in 1969, which makes her 56 years old in 2025.
3. Who is Susie Fowler-Watt’s husband?
She is married to Alex Dunlop, who is also a reporter and presenter for BBC Look East.
4. What is Susie Fowler-Watt’s salary?
Her exact salary is not publicly known. However, senior BBC regional presenters typically earn within a competitive professional range.
5. Where does Susie Fowler-Watt live and work?
She lives in Norfolk, England, and works as the Lead Presenter at BBC Look East, where she has been a familiar face for over two decades.
6. What does Susie Fowler-Watt do besides journalism?
Alongside her broadcasting career, she is a qualified psychodynamic counsellor and a doctoral student at the University of Essex, focusing on adult emotional wellbeing.
7. How long has Susie Fowler-Watt worked with the BBC?
She has been with the BBC since the age of 21 and has presented BBC Look East since 1997, making her one of the programme’s most recognisable and trusted figures.
