Donna McDonald

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Msc (with Merit) PGDip MBACP - Peaceful Grove Counselling

About me

I am an experienced counsellor based in Cumbernauld, offering counselling in a calm, welcoming and confidential space. I provide both short- and long-term therapy for adults, working in-person, online and by telephone.

Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or struggling to make sense of difficult experiences. My aim is to offer a safe, neurodiverse-friendly and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly, explore what is happening in your life, and find a way forward that feels right for you.

I have over 14 years of counselling experience and more than 16 years working within mental health and wellbeing. I have particular expertise in trauma and have spent many years supporting women through my work with Women's Aid. I also have specialist knowledge and experience supporting Womb Twin Survivors – individuals affected by the loss of a twin during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Alongside my therapeutic work, I have carried out research, teaching and professional training in this area.

My background began in holistic and complementary therapies, where I ran a successful practice before training as a counsellor. This holistic perspective continues to inform my work today. I recognise that every person is unique, and together we will find approaches, strategies and resources that best meet your individual needs.

You may be considering counselling if you:

  • Feel anxious, overwhelmed or constantly on edge
  • Struggle with overthinking or find it difficult to switch off
  • Feel stuck, lost or disconnected from yourself
  • Are experiencing the effects of trauma, abuse or difficult life experiences
  • Feel emotionally exhausted, burnt out or drained
  • Are grieving a loss or adjusting to a major life change
  • Have experienced baby loss, pregnancy loss or the loss of a twin
  • Struggle with self-esteem, confidence or self-doubt
  • Find yourself people-pleasing or struggling with boundaries
  • Want to understand yourself better and make positive changes in your life

How Counselling Can Help

Counselling offers a space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace. Together we can work towards:

  • Reducing anxiety, stress and overwhelm
  • Understanding and processing trauma
  • Improving emotional wellbeing and resilience
  • Building self-esteem and confidence
  • Developing healthier coping strategies
  • Improving sleep and relaxation
  • Exploring grief, loss and life transitions
  • Understanding how your mind and body react to your issues and how to work with it
  • Managing anger and difficult emotions
  • Reconnecting with your identity, values and sense of self

My approach is collaborative, compassionate and tailored to you. I draw on talking therapy, creative exploration, somatic approaches and practical tools to support meaningful change. Where appropriate, and if it feels helpful for you, I can also integrate breathwork, mindfulness, relaxation techniques and other holistic approaches into our work.

Supervision

I offer clinical supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors. My approach is collaborative, supportive and trauma-informed, providing a safe space to reflect on your work, explore challenges and maintain ethical and professional standards.

Supervision may include:

  • Reflective practice and case discussion
  • Ethical decision-making support
  • Trauma-informed guidance and skills development
  • Support with complex client work
  • Self-care and burnout prevention
  • Personal and professional development planning
  • CPD support and reflective learning
  • Flexible scheduling, online or in person

My aim is to help supervisees feel supported, confident and equipped to sustain a healthy and effective practice while developing their own authentic therapeutic style.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

  • MSc in Counselling – Abertay University
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling – Abertay University
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills – Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Clinical Supervision in Counselling (COSCA accredited)
  • Certified trauma informed counsellor with extensive experience supporting survivors of abuse, trauma and adverse life experiences
  • Over 16 years' experience in mental health and wellbeing
  • Over 14 years' counselling experience
  • Registered Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
  • Researcher and educator in Womb Twin Survivors, mental health and wellbeing
  • Associate Supervisor with Cairns Counselling Service
  • Associate Counsellor with Women's Aid
  • Qualified Breathwork Practitioner
  • Background in holistic and complementary therapies

Additional specialist training includes Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Compassion-Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment Theory, Strengths-Based Practice, Baby Loss Training and trauma-informed approaches.

Accessibility & Practical Information

My counselling room is based in Cumbernauld and is easily accessible for clients travelling from Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, Falkirk, Stirling, Glasgow and surrounding areas.

  • Ground floor access
  • Easy, free onsite parking
  • Close to a main bus route
  • Approximately 10–15 minutes' walk from Croy railway station
  • In-person, online and telephone sessions available

Training, qualifications & experience

Training, Qualifications & Experience

  • Over 16 years' experience working within mental health and wellbeing
  • Over 14 years' counselling experience
  • MSc Counselling, Abertay University
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling, Abertay University
  • Clinical Supervision in Counselling (COSCA Accredited)
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills, Glasgow Caledonian University
  • SVQ Level 3 in Social Care
  • Registered Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

Professional Experience

  • Certified trauma-informed counsellor with extensive experience supporting survivors of trauma, abuse and adversity
  • Associate Supervisor with Cairns Counselling Service
  • Associate Counsellor and Women's Aid
  • Former Senior Project Worker and Wellbeing Coach within mental health services
  • Researcher and educator specialising in Womb Twin Survivors, mental health and wellbeing

Additional Qualifications

  • Breathwork Practitioner
  • Holistic Therapist
  • Shamanic Practitioner

Further Professional Training

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
  • Strengths-Based Practice and Recovery
  • De-escalation Training
  • Introduction to Compassion-Focused Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Solution-Focused Practice
  • Attachment Theory and Lifelong Relationships
  • Baby Loss Training

I regularly undertake continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure my practice remains current, ethical and informed by the latest research and therapeutic approaches. My work is grounded in a trauma-informed approach, recognising the impact that difficult life experiences can have on emotional wellbeing, the physical body, relationships and daily life.

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

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I am also interested in supporting people who are womb twin survivors and people who have faced losses without a bereavement that is affecting their sense of self.

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Students
  • Unemployed

Additional information

Counselling sessions are £50. Reduced-fee spaces may be available for students and those who are unwaged; please enquire for further information.

I offer a free 20-minute consultation where we can discuss what has brought you to counselling, what support you are looking for, and whether working together feels like the right next step for you.

Further information

I am a Registered Member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and work in accordance with their professional and ethical framework. As part of my commitment to safe and effective practice, I engage in regular clinical supervision and ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).

Alongside counselling, I have a background in holistic and complementary therapies, including breathwork, meditation and mindfulness. Where appropriate, and if it feels helpful for you, these approaches can be incorporated into our work together to support relaxation, emotional regulation and overall wellbeing.

I understand that reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step. If you have any questions about counselling or how I work, please feel free to get in touch. I would be happy to discuss your needs and help you decide whether counselling may be right for you at this time.

Please do not hesitate to get in contact to ask any questions. I understand coming to counselling can be very difficult and I only hope to make you feel comfortable and assist you in achieving your goals.

Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, G68

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

There is easy, free parking outside. There is a train station (Croy) nearby and I am on a main bus route.

Online platforms

Zoom
FaceTime
Whatsapp

Supervision

In person
Online
Phone

Warm, collaborative and trauma-informed clinical supervision for trainee and qualified counsellors, online and in person.

View supervision profile

Social

Donna McDonald
Donna McDonald