With budget-friendly finds, counselor Sue-Lee Henning supports clients through chaos and loss
In Johannesburg, registered counselor Sue-Lee Henning is redefining what a welcoming therapy space looks like. Passionate about making mental health support more accessible, she has created a calm and comforting environment for her clients that encourages openness, ease and healing from the moment they walk in.
“For many people, especially teenagers, therapy can feel scary,” she said. “I wanted a space that immediately tells them, ‘You’re safe here.’”
To bring this vision to life, Sue-Lee began exploring affordable online platforms for creative ways to make her space more engaging. On marketplace Temu, she discovered a variety of therapy aids including fidget toys, sensory tools and motivational stickers that now help clients feel grounded and at ease during sessions. What started as a few budget-friendly buys has become an important part of her practice, showing that care and comfort do not have to come at a high cost.
“This really brightens their day,” said Sue-Lee, who uses these supportive items daily. “It’s such a simple act that goes a long way.”
These small but meaningful fidget tools have become a vital part of her sessions, offering comfort and safety to clients of all ages, adding a sense of warmth.
“Having something to hold or fidget with can reduce anxiety and make silence feel less threatening,” she said. “As they fidget when talking about trauma, they may feel slightly more regulated during intense moments.”
Outside of therapy, Sue-Lee said that her clients also use these tactile tools while at work or school to “ground” themselves. “It’s a sensory bridge that keeps them connected to the present when emotions become overwhelming.”
Before discovering the online marketplace, Sue-Lee recalled the lack of options for budget-friendly therapy tools.
“I knew that I wanted a grounding space with tactile tools, but everything I found in stores was expensive or limited,” she said. “ I was amazed at how much I could get within my budget. I also found therapy tools that weren’t available locally, and they were perfect for what I needed.”
A recent News24 survey showed that 46% of South African shoppers save more than half of their shopping budget by using Temu, with nearly 40% shopping on the platform at least once a month.
Sue-Lee believes that emotional and psychological care should reach people “where they are, especially in moments of chaos or loss”.
“Access doesn’t only mean therapy sessions,” she says. “It also means feeling supported where you are. I was able to find practical and affordable items to create a comforting space, and that is part of access.”
As Sue-Lee continues her work, her story is a reminder that mental health support doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With empathy, creativity, and a few well-chosen tools, professionals like herself can create a space to help others relax and heal.
