Dr Carolyn McKerracher
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Seeking counselling is a courageous step, yet we all have difficulties in life. Sometimes, we can overcome these with the support of family and friends, but sometimes we may seek out a professional, to help us understand ourselves better, or be able to speak about things which may be difficult to discuss with others, or even to see clearly on our own.
Psychodynamic counselling is based on the premise that our earliest relational experiences, create both conscious and unconscious patterns of being, which then impact on the development of our sense of self, autonomy and identity.
When these experienced are unhelpful, or are coupled with social and cultural inequality, or discrimination, or are compounded by trauma, then we may become frustrated, anxious, depressed, or stuck in repeating patterns of unfulfilling jobs and relationships.
However, through an empathic and trusting therapeutic relationship, we can learn from one another and change, by discovering new ways of being, in both life and relationship.
As it is the relationship between us, which is of first importance, I offer a free, no-obligation, initial session, to allow us time to determine whether we could work well together.
I work inclusively and welcome people from all backgrounds and with experiences different to my own.
Training, qualifications & experience
I trained at Human Development Scotland (HDS) and hold a Post Graduate Diploma (PGDip) in Human Relations and Counselling, accredited by COSCA and awarded by Robert Gordon University.
I began in practice within two counselling services in the Third Sector, one being a mental health referral service for adults (16+yrs) experiencing anxiety, depression, career choices, relationship difficulties, caring responsibilities, trauma and loss. The second service was dedicated to people with physical illnesses, such as cancer, or degenerative conditions and for their families, friends and carers. I now work in private practice.
My PhD, MPhil and BSc are in physics and I originally spent eighteen years as a scientist in NHS cancer services. I also have a PGDip in Community Education and for the last eighteen years I have been privileged to work alongside people who have trusted me with their life stories, whilst experiencing hardships, disadvantages, exclusion and trauma, in homelessness, domestic abuse, addiction, offending and youth work. All of these experiencies, including my own, led me into counselling.
I am a counsellor member of COSCA, a registered member of BACP (MBACP), and am insured through PPS. I work with adults 16yrs +.
I continue to work as a relief support worker in homelessness and Throughcare Aftercare (TCAC). With regards to support work, I am PVG and SSSC registered.
I adhere to the ethical standards and complaints procedures of all the professional bodies I am a member of.
Member organisations
COSCA is the professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in Scotland, and seeks to advance all forms of counselling and psychotherapy and the use of counselling skills by promoting best practice and through the delivery of a range of sustainable services. COSCA Counsellor Accreditation is a pathway to entry onto the UKRC. It is a requirement of all individual and organisational members of COSCA to abide by its Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice and be accountable to the Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
I offer a free, no-obligation, initial session, at which we can determine whether we are a good fit for each other.
Thereafter, I invoice monthly, unless by agreement.
