Charles Durning

People come to counselling when they are “down and troubled, and they need a helping hand” (to paraphrase the old James Taylor song). Or rather, they come when they need a helping ear; when they need helpful conversations.

Sometimes talking to a trusted friend can be enough. But when the issues are delicate or personal, that may not be possible or appropriate. Here counselling can offer a safe, neutral, supportive space for us to tell our stories. Where we can explore troublesome experiences or aspects of ourselves, without fear of judgement. Where we will be helped to deepen our understanding and compassion for ourselves, and to mobilise our own capacities for healing, growth and renewal.

As a qualified and experienced Person-Centred counsellor, I have been offering such helpful conversations to my clients since 2011 – mostly in private practice, but also for a long while as a volunteer counsellor at Pilton Community Health Project.

I can work alongside you to help you through a difficult patch in your life, maybe involving stresses at work or in your relationships, or to help you in your search for direction or meaning in your life. Or our work together might involve explorations of longer term difficulties, such as persistent experiences of anxiety or depression.

Or you might be carrying the burden of old, untold (and hence unresolved) experiences from your past, of neglect say, or of bullying and abuse – physical or psychological. I have particular experience in helping people to process the impacts of such traumatic early life events, helping them give voice to parts of themselves and their experience that have maybe been hidden – so that they can lose their ‘charge’ and hold over us, enabling us to move forwards in our lives in more satisfying ways.

Whatever your difficulty, I will work with you in ways which are respectful and collaborative, offering conversations grounded in openness, compassion and insight.

In this way I have helped people experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including:

anxiety, depression, stress, loss and bereavement, low self-esteem, relationship problems, trauma, bullying and abuse.

Meditation and Mindfulness

I have practiced meditation for over 20 yrs, and can offer my clients simple relaxation and mindfulness techniques, where these might be helpful - for example to help clients calm and ground themselves during anxiety or panic attacks, and to build resilience against such attacks.

Professional Registration

I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), and abide by their code of ethics.


My Practice

I practice from a lovely room at  The Edinburgh Counselling Studio, a dedicated counselling space and group practice on Edinburgh's Southside.

I also practice nearby at The Salisbury Centre, 2 Salisbury Road, EH16 5AB.

I also offer online counselling for those who might prefer it.

Introductory Sessions

If you feel that you might be interested in working with me, then please get in touch (either by phone or email) to arrange an introductory session.

£45 per 50 min session

£35  students/concessions