Linda McConnachie

How can counselling help?

I am a degree qualified Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist/Counsellor with over 10 years experience. I work with adults and young people. I am a qualified clinical Supervisor running individual and group sessions privately and with organisations in the therapeutic and helping professions. I offer both short and longer term therapy.

Many of us face uncertainty, distressing and sometimes traumatic experiences where no end or support seems to be in sight. These are times when a qualified and experienced Therapist or Counsellor can help you make sense of what's going on for you.

We often push our own needs to the back of our minds and focus on others, especially in times of crises. Do this long enough and we can find ourselves lost.  Taking that first important step and seeking counselling, allows you the time and space to gain perspective and calm; it also means that others around you can directly benefit from the changes you make for yourself.

I have a special interest in working with the effects of little-t trauma. These might be described as the events which exceed our capacity to cope, ie neglect, bullying, abuse, divorce, job loss or abrupt changes in our environment.  Amongst other things, these experiences can result in depression, anxiety, anger management difficulties, low self esteem, a lack of self worth and challenges in developing healthy relationships. I specialise in building your self-esteem so that you can have the healthy relationships you deserve. This may be through working with your panic, anxiety, sense of worthlessness or through making sense of your attachment style, relationship issues or bereavement or loss...there are lots of thoughts and feelings which get in the way.  I aim to build a meaningful, compassionate and supportive relationship which enables you to explore how long-lasting change and a healthier way of being is possible for you.

I trained and qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy with the highly regarded Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute.  Valued for it's indepth and rigorous training, it considers a holistic approach to be important; this means that our thoughts, physical sensations and emotions need to be considered as they all play a part in forming who we are.

How I can help?

I work with you to identify your thoughts and feelings, perhaps anxiety, depression, panic, guilt or shame. Then focus on understanding how or why those are impacting you and your relationships. We then work together to see how change is possible and support you through those changes. I firmly believe that positive change is possible; clients tell me that they are often surprised to realise how much they have changed through our work together. I've experienced change personally too, so if you need help to explore how change is possible for you, please ring or email me.

My approach is very much focussed on the relational elements of therapeutic models including Person-centred, Psycho-dynamic, Gestalt, Human Development, Attachment, Affect theory and Contact in Relationship.

Sometimes talking isn't the best way forward, so if it's something you're willing to take part in, I can offer creative methods or materials to help you express your feelings and thoughts in a more unconscious way.

Discounts are available for student counsellors, students or those on low incomes.

What to expect from our sessions

Working online, by phone or face-to-face, we agree the frequency, number of sessions and discuss any goals or outcomes you have. Then we work towards those. Ultimately, you decide whether to work short-term or for longer.

When we meet face-to-face, my office is a warm and welcoming environment with free parking on-site or on-street. I am based at The Humber Building in Beeston and at Tranquility Holistic Therapy in Chilwell, in the NG9 area of Nottinghamshire. Both locations are just a couple of minutes from the A52 and convenient for Derby, Nottingham, Stapleford, Chillwell, Long Eaton, Wollaton, Bramcote and surrounding areas. There are excellent local transport links at both locations. I have day time or evening appointments, Monday - Friday (Saturday by exception).

I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation for us to talk briefly about what you might bring to therapy.  I also offer a initial 20 minute online video session which enables us to meet and discuss how we might work together or a 50 minute session which allows time for a more detailed exploration of what brings you to counselling and the process of counselling itself. None of these commits you to ongoing therapy; that choice is yours.

I hope you'll take the time to read my profile and connect to my website to hear more about how I will work with you to discover your aims for counselling and build a counselling relationship which is warm, supportive, understanding, non-judgemental and, at times, appropriately challenging.

**Discounts for student counsellors and clinical supervisees**

Brief telephone consultation - Free

Initial 20 minute video discussion - £30

Full 50 minute consultation for Individuals- £58; Couples - £65

Supervision offered at £58/hour (trainee discounts available)

Please refer to my website for further information and more detail of payment methods and cancellations.

Supervision

I am currently working towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Supervision and actively searching for Counsellors or Therapists who would like to work with me at a discounted rate.

Transportation and Parking

There are excellent public transportation links via bus, train and tram. I am a 5 minute walk from the train station and Tram Stop in Beeston and the Tram stop in Nottingham.

Both locations offer free, public, off-street parking nearby.

Please ring or email me if you have any questions at all.