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.

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.

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.

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

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.