Chloe McDowell
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Why I am a counsellor
Following a long business career in London, I made a major life transition, relocating to Moray and training as a counsellor.
I’m interested in people, and the situations and relationships that matter in their lives. What motivates and rewards me is supporting clients to find their individual path to feeling happier and more positive about their future.
I am approachable, welcoming and try to always be kind. I am completely committed to helping my clients meet their goals.
Contacting a counsellor can feel daunting, so I offer a free 15 minute telephone chat for you to see if you'd like to work with me.
A client has given permission for me to share her counselling process, which followed a difficult bereavement . She was keen to encourage others to seek help and find hope again.
"Counselling with Chloe has been my salvation after I had seen desolation. I see the change in myself and so do other people. It's been such a help to find 'me' again". Margaret, aged 70
How can I help you?
I'll help you find the tools you need for;
- Recognising that you hold the power to change negative emotions and situations in your life - offering guidance how to do so.
- Improving your communication with others, creating boundaries, having your needs met, reframing your relationships.
- Learning to accept yourself and know you are 'good enough'.
- Rediscovering self belief and value.
- Finding the solutions you have been seeking, but been unable to discover yourself or through friends, family or other means.
- Reduce anxiety or fear, to lighten your mood, be more relaxed and at peace, (perhaps reducing panic or unwanted thoughts and images)
Would you like to gain control over challenges that may have been holding you back for years? Book a call or email me to find out more.
What contributes to successful counselling?
Crucial to positive outcomes is the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Developing a safe, empathic, trusting relationship with my clients helps them to express how they are really feeling - to be truly heard, seen and understood.
Your motivation to seek and work towards change.
Clients often tell me they were nervous before coming but quickly feel comfortable, sometimes sharing stuff they may have never told anyone before.
Hearing clients say they look forward to their sessions is always a good sign and shows that counselling does work!
If you are considering therapy, do contact me - I am happy to discuss any concerns or questions to may have.
My areas of special interest
I am experienced at working with clients with all types of emotional and psychological distress. There are some areas where I have additional expertise;
Professionally experienced with competitive business environments - offering insightful counselling for business leaders.
Experienced with bereaved clients at Cruse Scotland and in private practice, including support with baby loss.
I'm trained and volunteer with CrossReach Perinatal clients; pregnant and postnatal women and partners and offer support privately.
Relocation challenges - for career, armed forces, or change of lifestyle.
Working away on military deployment/detachment, offshore/overseas rotations can create challenges for individuals and families.
ADHD clients (or those recognising symptoms) find talking to a counsellor with lived experience helps them feel accepted and understood.
Next steps?
Book a free 15 minute telephone call or email me to see if I am the right counsellor for you.
Some clients feel better after a few counselling sessions, others opt for longer term psychotherapy when events from the past may be affecting how they feel in the present.
Training, qualifications & experience
Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy - University of the Highlands and Islands. (COSCA validated).
I offer face to face appointments in a comfortable, relaxed environment in Lossiemouth which is the preferred option for many clients.
I have a BACP accredited Online and Telephone Counselling Certificate. Online or phone has become a more convenient way to experience counselling for some people.
I am a member of COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) and work within their ethical code of practice.
CPD training in other theoretical approaches including CBT, Psychodynamic and other humanistic therapies allows me to sometimes work with techniques from these other approaches. For example using CBT tools to help clients with anxiety and stress over specific issues.
Experience in NHS - GP surgeries in Forres.
Additional training; Grief, Loss, ADHD, Trauma, Anxiety, PTSD, Panic, Depression, Miscarriage and baby loss, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Attachment issues, Self Harm, Drug and Volatile Substance abuse, Mother Daughter attachment.
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.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£47.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer a free 15 minute telephone/online consultation and fees for sessions are £47. I offer a full hour of therapy (many therapists offer 50 minute sessions).
Higher fees apply for longer sessions of 75 or 90 minutes. My rate for psychotherapy funded through health insurance is £100 per session.
I don't believe it's helpful to prescribe how many sessions will be suitable at the outset. Some clients feel better after a few sessions, other opt for longer term counselling.
I usually start off seeing clients weekly, but fortnightly sessions may then become more helpful for you.
Concessions are available for students and when available those on reduced incomes. I am registered and approved to work for clients of Healix health insurance in addition to Aviva and Vitality.
When I work
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I try to be as flexible as possible with session times ideally finding a regular time slot each week.
Further information
As more of us recognise that the benefits of Counselling and Psychotherapy expand outside of periods of crisis or deep distress, it has become a way for clients to develop self-awareness and understanding of their life experiences.
This valuable knowledge becomes a tool to be used outside of the counselling room helping in every aspect of life. Better understanding of yourself and patterns of behaviour can offer complete personal transformation.
More successful relationships with family, friends and colleagues can result. Often leading to greater self-confidence, self-worth and contentment.
