Alex. Arthur
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
I am a Person-Centred Counsellor.
I believe that by exploring our own internal landscape we can find a way to live in the world as we really are, to be more secure in our choices, and to relate to others in a way that is engaged and authentic.
A way that helps us to function in an increasingly chaotic and demanding social environment.
I don't think we can achieve this by following a set of instructions or by applying a specific theoretical framework. I think, instead, that we must allow our own feelings and recollections to guide us towards meaningful growth.
It can be hard to do this on our own.
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Before training as a Counsellor and as a Counselling Supervisor, I had a long experience of pastoral support roles - student advising and union casework - in a Higher Education setting. I have also experienced the benefit of counselling during a crisis in my own life.
More broadly, I think I have discovered the creative potential of 'real conversation' in many contexts - personal interactions, academic seminars, union negotiations, administrative engagements, therapeutic relationships, and counsellor supervision.
If you would like to meet, I do not charge for an assessment session.
Training, qualifications & experience
MA (Philosophy) 1975
CA (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) 1981
MLitt (Philosophy) 1987
PG Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling (Aberdeen) 2016
Certificate in Clinical Supervision (Persona) 2020
I worked as an accountant in the oil industry before joining the University of Aberdeen Business School in 1990. While working at the university I was a personal caseworker for the UCU (University and College Union), and also a student adviser.
I have had a long interest in mental health issues and served on the Board of Mental Health Aberdeen for many years. I started my formal Counselling training on my retirement from the University in 2011.
My philosophical interests are mainly focused on language and meaning - the role of conversation in discovery and exploration.
I presently work in private practice, through Old Aberdeen Counselling Services Ltd.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
The 'areas I deal with' list indicates issues I have direct relevant experience with. It isn't meant to be exclusive!
Therapies offered
Fees
£75.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I am happy to negotiate concessionary rates to anyone in financial hardship. I do not believe that cost should be a barrier to accessing counselling.
Under normal circumstances, the fee we agree when you commence therapy will remain fixed for the duration of our engagement.
When I work
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I offer both daytime and evening appointments.
