Counselling and Psychotherapy in Edinburgh
I am an Edinburgh therapist offering counselling & psychotherapy to support your growth, healing or change. Below you will find more details on the way in which I work, but the core elements of my practice are drawn from….
Person Centred
My foundational training is in Person Centred Therapy, a non directive therapeutic modality which offers acceptance and empathy, with the belief that we each have the innate ability to realise our full potential in life.
Trauma Informed
With five years experience in leading in and delivering training on this approach within health and social care, my understanding of trauma and the principles of Safety, Trust, Choice, Collaboration and Empowerment are part of our therapeutic process.
Psychoeducation
Helpful and accessible explanations of evidence and science based theories and concepts that support our understanding of how our brains and bodies work, to help de-stigmatise, de-shame and find new pathways.
Compassion Focused
Compassion Focused Therapy is an approach that blends therapeutic work, practical mindfulness based tools and psychoeducation to begin to change the way in which we relate to ourselves and cultivate more self-compassion.
“When you go inwards with gentleness, even though the journey might be precarious, you will still in no way be going into isolation. Rather, you will be coming into deeper kinship with all that is”
John O’Donohue (The Inner Landscape)
Counselling and psychotherapy offer you the opportunity to illuminate, explore, process and potentially re-frame your experiences, thoughts and feelings. My work is collaborative, compassionate, person-centred and trauma responsive, and my aim to offer you a safe space where all parts of you are welcomed and heard.
Entering into therapy can take great courage and feel daunting, whether you are considering it for the first time or perhaps seeking a new perspective, choosing the right counsellor for you is important.
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The core principles of my approach are to:
Be present with acceptance and compassion whilst you explore the experiences, thought processes, feelings and parts of you that might not always be seen by others that could be impacting your relationships or capacity to fulfil your true potential.
Provide a safe space, a strong and robust therapeutic relationship and a place where you can find your own unique combination of healing, growth and change.
Encourage you to lead and guide the focus of our work, and unearth your own insights and solutions. Although my way of working is non-directive, I might gently support this process with the use of empathic questioning or honest perceptions but never without compassion and acceptance.
Work holistically to support you to find self-awareness, stillness of mind and a new connection with yourself.
Be trauma responsive at all times, by incorporating trust, safety, empowerment, choice and collaboration into our relationship, interactions and environment.
In addition to traditional talking therapy, I also offer an opportunity to work holistically either one to one or in closed groups, integrating the benefits of yoga and psychotherapy – see my Integrative Yoga Psychotherapy page for more information.
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A post graduate qualification in Counselling and Psychotherapy and additional training in trauma, perinatal mental health, child & adult protection, loss, suicide and self harm.
A background in both acute, community and therapeutic settings within the NHS, alongside working one to one, with families and facilitating groups in community health projects since 2004.
As facilitator of Trauma Responsive training for a diverse range professionals and public bodies my work is informed by the core principles of this approach. I also draw from my understanding of trauma and its impacts on our brain and body to offer psychoeducation and support recovery.
Advanced level training in motivational interviewing, a non-directive communication approach used within the NHS to support and facilitate change.
Experience of offering short and long-term psychotherapeutic counselling to a diverse range of adults, specialist work with 18-25-year-olds, and experience as an initial intake assessment counsellor within Edinburgh counselling services.
I have completed year one of my MSc in Advanced Counselling and Psychotherapy, which includes Compassion Focused Therapy and Clinical Supervision training.
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You might seek therapy for a number of reasons, some possibilities are listed below but if you don't see something familiar here, know that whatever you bring you will be accepted and heard.
To address unhelpful core beliefs, thought patterns and behaviours.
Gain relief from a sense of being stuck, overwhelmed by stress or an experience of anxiety and low mood,
Process experiences, events or feelings from the past which are impacting you in the present.
Find self-awareness, compassion for the self and a deeper understanding around your responses and reactions.
A desire for a sense of peace, contentment and meaningfulness as you move through life.
Grief, loss, challenging relationships or transitional periods in your life
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I work with anyone over 16 and offer either short or long term sessions depending on what is required.
I provide 50-minute sessions at £60 and have a limited number of concessionary spaces available
I offer a free 30 minute consultation, or trial session at the reduced rate of £35 so that we can explore how we might work together.
Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly, and take place in the Tara Trust in Edinburgh’s west end or in Portobello.
Our space
I work from a beautiful space at the Tara Trust in the west end of Edinburgh, and a calm and peaceful consulting room in Portobello.
I offer a 30 minute initial face to face appointment at no fee, or reduced rate full length session so that we can explore how we might work together, please contact me to arrange this or to ask any questions you might have.
