Alison Hotchkiss

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About me

Sometimes we can all feel a bit sad and blue. And that's OK.

Yet when these feelings seep into our heart and interfere with our daily life, it can appear scary and confusing.

Maybe, it is time to think about taking that first step to find a safe, private place where you can speak openly and honestly discovering your way through the challenges you are facing.

My therapy room can give you that space.

With me, you will find a qualified therapist who will listen to what you want to say, without judgement but with understanding, compassion and acceptance.

​We can work together, as you choose to make changes that will ease your distress and give you back control of your life.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Registered Member of BACP
  • COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate (2013)
  • COSCA Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland Specialist Module in Bereavement and Loss (2014)
  • University of Strathclyde Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (2016)
  • COSCA Certificate in Counselling Children and Young People (adolescents) (2018)
  • Counselling role with Carlisle Carers Centre, Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland.
  • Established counselling service within secondary schools with proven improvement in pupils wellbeing and mental health, their self confidence and self esteem

Besides these qualifications, I regularly take part in Continuing Professional Development, including:

  • Animal-assisted therapy
  • Person-centred creative arts therapy
  • Online counselling practice
  • Neuroscience within counselling practice
  • Asist suicide prevention
  • Bereavement experience in COVID times.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 - £100.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Initial 20 minute telephone consultation FREE

​Individual client sessions £50 for 50- 60 minutes - as I feel how we get on is so important for therapy to be successful, partial refund of first session if you think we cannot work together.

I hope to be able to provide counselling for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. I do offer some concessionary rates for people on low incomes and for locals within DG13.  Please get in touch to talk this over.

​Employee Assistance Programme clients welcome please call for discussion and pricing plan.

When I work

During school terms I am available most Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Flexible about evenings and Saturdays

Langholm, Dumfries And Galloway, DG13

41A Henry Street, Langholm, Dumfries and Galloway, DG13 0AR

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Children (0-12)
Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Families
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

PVG Scheme info

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Wheelchair user access info
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

I use a wheelchair myself sometimes, so with prior arrangement or waiting for the ramp to be put in place, I have the choice of offices that can be used for our sessions.

Online platforms

Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
Zoom

Social