Catherine Aberdein

Face to Face, online or telephone are available to suit your needs.  Life can be challenging for us all at some point and can push us to our limits. We all can struggle to cope and feel weighed down by life issues. Whether you are experiencing loneliness, stress, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, low self-esteem, or are just feeling lost and need someone to really listen.  I hope to be there for you, and together we can find a way forward. Many people have at some point in their lives experienced problems with mental health and I believe that it takes more strength and courage to reach out for help than to bury the problem.

Using an integrative and bespoke approach, I aim to be there to help you better face and cope with your problems, explore these issues together, and empower and motivate you in whatever situations you may be facing. However, I strongly believe in being flexible to your needs and often use other therapeutic approaches, tools and techniques, so that you can obtain the maximum benefit and long lasting change from our sessions.

I will be there to support you in a non-judgemental, safe and compassionate way that suits you best, and plan to work together towards your goals – whether that may be to make a change in your life, looking for validation, contentment, peace, happiness or simply to regain your self-worth and confidence again. Or it may just be you are looking to share your story….

Life can be challenging for us all at some point and can push us to our limits. We all can struggle to cope and feel weighed down by life issues. I will be there to support you in a non-judgemental, safe and compassionate way that suits you best, and plan to work together towards your goals – whether that may be to make a change in your life, looking for validation, contentment, peace, happiness or simply to regain your self-worth and confidence again. Or it may just be you are looking to share your story…

I can help with a wide range of difficulties such as depression, general anxiety disorder, panic attacks, social anxiety, loneliness, suicidal thoughts, stress, work-related stress, self-harm, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, childhood emotional neglect, burnout, bereavement, bullying, individual relationship difficulties, and family issues. 

I am particularly passionate around issues relating to neurodiversity such as ADHD or Autism. I tend to have a high proportion of Neurodivergent clients and despite being a Neurotypical myself, I see myself as a Neurodivergent advocate. I often help Neurodivergent clients with self-care, burnout, setting boundaries, regaining their confidence, anxiety, exploring their identity and understanding themselves / others better. I often support clients pre, during and post diagnosis as well.

I am also experienced in working with those who are currently facing or recovering from Narcissistic abuse or any form of gas lighting. I deeply understand the importance of slowly building your confidence and regaining a sense of identity after having experienced this type of abuse.

In addition to the above, I specialise in CEN (childhood emotional neglect) and closely follow the work of Jonice Webb in this regard.

I am fortunate to have worked in a generalist counselling capacity and have experienced a wide range of client issues. I have always felt it a privilege that clients share their lives and experiences with me, and therefore fully understand the need and importance of confidentiality to each and every client. I see my business as my vocation and not just my work.

Childhood Emotional Neglect.

Narcissist abuse/neglect. Gas lighting.

Neurodiverse/Neurodivergent/Neurodiversity.

Fees:

Initial and ongoing sessions £55 for the 'therapeutic hour' (50minutes). However, if you would like to buy 6 sessions upfront, you will receive a 10% discount (cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts).

Discount offered for Full Time Students or Trainee Counsellors at a reduced rate of £45.

Cancellation Policy:

Sessions can easily be cancelled, I just ask for 48 hours notice. If you are unable to give the required notice - the full charge of a sessions applies. Special circumstances will always be considered.

Regular Reviews:

I offer regular reviews (approximately every 6th session) to discuss your progress, how you feel the sessions are going and consider whether you might benefit from more sessions.

I am available Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings & early evenings, Wednesday all day, & Thursday mornings. I am flexible, so please do get in touch with any queries.

Testimonials from previous clients:

“I wanted to take a moment to personally express my gratitude for being there for me during some of the most challenging periods of my life. Your support and guidance through our counselling sessions have been invaluable, and I truly believe they have been vital in helping me grow as a person. Before I started, I never imagined I would ever go to counselling, but now I see how beneficial it has been to have that much-needed support. So, thank you once again for everything.”

“In short, life is better and I can't thank you enough for working with me during some of the toughest periods of my life. I feel more equipped to handle a lot of the challenges that come my way, and I feel stronger for it.  My resilience and trust in myself is one of the things I'm most proud of over these last few years, but your support was immense during this period.” 

“Thank you so much Catherine for an extremely positive experience right from the beginning. Your manner is perfect (warm and friendly but professional) and your insight is spot on. I look forward to coming back when my schedule allows!”

"I’ve had experiences of counselling in the past and never really thought this was for me. However, the difference was finding a counsellor that I really connected with from the start, understood my issues, listened well and challenged my thinking. I found the sessions relaxing and comfortable and were all about me and whatever I wanted to speak about. As an introverted person I find it difficult to open up and speak, Catherine was patient and asked the key questions to get me speaking and understanding myself and my thinking better. Thank you!"

"Catherine makes you feel very welcome, comfortable, and calm. Previously, I would have been scared to admit or discuss my feelings, but she taught me how to deal with them and manage my thoughts. Catherine also provided me with useful tools, techniques and podcasts that helped me throughout my process. Time is a healer but talking is too and I would fully recommend anyone to reach out to Catherine. She is kind and will never judge you, no matter what your circumstances are. She will be there to help."

“I was asked what I would like to achieve from the sessions which was important to me. I was also assessing my counsellor to see how we got on. Most importantly I felt comfortable with you and that you were someone I felt I would be able to talk openly with. Thank you for being there, Catherine, at a low point for me and making me think about things from a slightly different angle. I would highly recommend Aberdeen Bespoke Counselling for an easy and informative service which makes a big impact on people’s lives.”

“I came to Catherine at my lowest ebb. We worked through some past and present traumas and gradually I found myself coming back round. I can’t thank Catherine enough for helping me on my journey.”

“I have got more comfortable in the sessions with time, I like how you challenge me, and like to be continuously thinking about things. I like the dynamic we have. I open up more and talk about my feelings. The sessions have given me the courage to make changes in my life, and I’ve made these changes because of our sessions.”

“It’s been really good to see things in a different light. I thought it would be a lot more draining but it’s been more like a weight has been lifted. I feel I have opened up about things quite easily and normally I’m quite guarded.”

"As someone who had never experience counselling before, Catherine made me feel very comfortable and allowed me the space to lead the session in a manner I wanted. We talked about things that were on my mind without making them feel like mountains to climb."

"I can clearly see and feel a difference in myself from the initial session to the last. It was a process that allowed me to understand what/how I was feeling and why I was feeling it in order know myself better. Without a doubt, I achieved the goals I’ve set throughout the sessions and I’m now equipped with the right tools to deal with situations that I’ve struggled to deal before joining therapy. The calm and welcoming environment definitely had a positive impact during the sessions – a non-judgmental room where we can be absolute."

"Just to say again that I’m grateful to you for all that you’ve helped me with.  I came to you because of a crisis, but left you with a better understanding of myself and feeling that I can go forward with confidence." 

“I definitely see a difference in me, I feel very much different. I feel everyday I can go on and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I feel small progress everyday now.”

“Thank you so much Catherine for an extremely positive experience right from the beginning. Your manner is perfect (warm and friendly but professional) and your insight is spot on. I look forward to coming back when my schedule allows!”