Allister Murdoch Reg. MBACP

I have over 15 years experience working as a private counsellor. I run a counselling service dedicated to helping other men.  I am now back providing face to face counselling as permitted within the Scottish Government laws and guidance.

It is recognised worldwide that men often feel unable/unwilling to talk, to admit when they have a problem. This can means that men self stigmatise as they think they maybe seen as less of a man by others if they do. Neither are healthy.

I offer men the chance to talk, be listened to and the chance to explore and choose a better way to live. Where new skills have to be taught by mutual agreement we can do that.

In a recent survey by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy it was recognised that there is a growing number of men coming for counselling. Talking with a trained professional counsellor in confidence can be extremely helpful in looking after yourself.

I specialise in working with men wanting therapy because of:

• Abuse (Current/Survivors only)
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Depression or having suicidal thoughts.
• LGBTQIA+ issues
• Relationship issues

In counselling and psychotherapy you can learn to:

• Give yourself permission to talk about and experience your feelings.
• Silence the critical script that goes on in your head.
• Manage anxiety and stressful situations more effectively,
• Understand and manage your depression.
• Increase your sense of self-esteem, confidence and assertiveness.
• Explore which parts of your life you don't find fulfilling and satisfying and to
• Explore any changes you could make
• Support you to choose and change the correct and healthier for you
• Improve your relationships with your partner, family, friends and colleagues.
• Become aware of the effect of past events and decrease the impact they have in the present today.
• Acknowledge unhelpful habits and patterns in your life and create healthier ways.

Testimonials

"I started to see Allister when some recessed bad memories started to impact my life. He made a real difference and three years later I can still go to what he taught me. I was genuinely surprised. He's a really nice guy and felt like a friend from the second meeting and he will help you if that's what you need now" MA (July 2020)

'Allister is an incredibly helpful, nice and understanding therapist to which I owe a lot for helping feel liberated from anxiety and paranoia that encircled me for a couple of years. Being a student and living away from home I felt isolated in a city I was not 100% familiar with but with the help of Allister I was able to embrace the feeling of anxiety and turn it into a positive feeling which allowed me discover my environment and myself as well.' NS (Oct 2019)

"I saw Allister on a weekly basis for 6 months. He is very relatable, easy to get on with, and took great care to remember the details of my story. He listened carefully and spoke thoughtfully in each session, and his insights were extremely valuable in helping me on my way. I looked forward to the regular sessions each week, which became a steady cornerstone of my time in Edinburgh. I would highly recommend Allister to anyone considering professional help." EL Edinburgh