About me
I’m Andrew, a person-centred counsellor and supervisor, based in Westhill and in Sauchen, Aberdeenshire.
I have worked in a range of community settings supporting people with a range of issues, for example, traumatic experiences, bereavement, anxiety, depression, drug or alcohol issues. I have worked with people with complex mental health issues. I have engaged long-term with individuals who were abused or neglected when in the Scottish care system, referred by a national agency. In the past, I have supported people who have been through the criminal justice system. In addition, I have worked in support services for those with alcohol problems.
As well as individual counselling, I have experience in leading group therapy sessions for men.
How I work
I believe you are the expert in your own life and can explore your own solutions. Rather than giving you advice, I will work alongside you, offering you support and understanding as you find your own answers and direction. I will provide a therapeutic, safe space, free of judgment. I believe it helps to have someone who isn’t directly involved in your life to provide space for you to talk and explore what’s going on for you. Hopefully, as we work together, and as trust develops, we will be able to explore feelings and emotions on a deeper level.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a post-graduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). In addition, I am a qualified counselling supervisor.
For the last 10 years I worked as a volunteer counsellor, staff counsellor/supervisor and, latterly, as counselling manager at a local mental health charity. I was involved in training volunteer counsellors for the agency.
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
This list reflects issues that past clients have experienced, but it is not exhaustive.
Therapies offered
Fees
£40.00 - £50.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My usual fee is £50 for a 50 minute session. I offer a reduced fee for clients who are claiming benefits, on low income, students, OAPs and NHS workers. Also, reduced fee for online and telephone sessions. Please discuss this beforehand, as there is limited availability for reduced fee sessions.
I’m happy to offer a free 20-minute introductory session, either by phone or online. Please call on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, and leave a message; I will get back to you to arrange one with you. Alternatively, drop me an email and we can arrange a time.
In that session, I can explain more about how I work, and hear from you what you’re looking for from counselling. You can see whether we’re the best fit before you make any financial commitment. If you decide to go ahead, we can make an appointment for the first session. We can meet weekly or fortnightly for regular sessions, and review the progress of the sessions regularly.
When I work
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Morning sessions in Westhill location. Afternoon and evening sessions at home in Sauchen, or remotely by video or telephone.
Further information
Confidentiality: As a member of BACP, I adhere to their ethical framework, committed to protecting your confidentiality. Therefore, everything you share with me remains between us is confidential (except in special circumstances, which I will explain when in our exploratory session).
