Donna McDonald
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am an experienced counsellor working in Airdrie from a beautiful, relaxing, tranquil space where I offer short and long term counselling. I know how it feels to be vulnerable and looking for some help and not knowing where to turn and who to trust. So I offer a warm safe environment for you to explore what brings you to counselling and how to achieve your goals in returning to a healthier self.
About me
I have always been interested in people and as a result started working has a holistic/ complementary therapist running a successful business in Surrey. But I soon realised I wanted to train as a counsellor and work in more depth, offering longer term support.
I personally believe in having a holistic approach when referring to someone’s wellbeing and recognising each person as an individual. What helps one person may not help another.
However, I do believe we all need a variety of good resources that we can turn to when we feel a little low or when we are seriously struggling. These resources should be diverse enough for you to use wherever you are and whenever you need something.
The biggest resource you have is truly knowing yourself and listening to your inner voice. I hope you as the client by learning more about yourself will have the tools to assist you now and for the rest of your life.
How counselling can help
Having a safe, confidential space to explore whatever brings you to counselling can help...
· Reduce anxiety
· Alleviate low mood
· Gain healthy coping strategies
· Feel lighter, reduce stress
· Improve sleep
· Make sense of past issues
· Explore anger and reduce its power over you
· Find your own voice
· Improve self-esteem
· Learn simple meditation exercises
These things and more are explored through talking, creative exercises, practical exercises and meditation. As the client, you decide what works best for you at the time.
What to expect in counselling
If you decide to commit to counselling, I recommend coming in weekly and a counselling session lasts 50 minutes. Naturally work/life can prevent this, so we will work around this as best we can.
I ask clients to set a goal of what they would like to achieve from counselling, so we know we are on the right course. This can be simple or something bigger (within reason) and can be changed and reviewed at any time.
How we achieve that goal will be through a collaborative effort where we work together by exploring what has brought you to counselling. We will go at your pace and you lead the way. I offer you a safe, confidential space where you can truly be heard and listened to; a genuine human encounter, where I hope you recognise my warmth, compassion, empathy and non-judgement.
I strongly believe (and research agrees) the biggest factor in successful counselling is the relationship between client and counsellor. So I endeavour to hold a healing space where you can find your own peace and strength.
Further Information
Since I have a history of working in complementary therapies and teaching meditation (mindfulness and both western and eastern approaches), I can if required, incorporate this into counselling. Thus, offering the client another resource in relaxation and managing overwhelming thoughts, feelings and physical sensations.
Accessibility
There is wheelchair access, free parking right outside and we are near a main bus route.
Training, qualifications & experience
- 10 plus years of working within mental health & 7 years counselling experience
- Masters (Msc) in Counselling, Abertay University
- Post Graduate Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling, Abertay University
- Certificate in Counselling Skills , Caledonian University
- Researcher and Teacher on 'Womb Twin Survivors', mental health and wellbeing
- SVQ3 in Social Care
- Breathwork Practitioner
- Shamanic Practitioner
- History of working in Mental Health as a senior project worker and a wellbeing coach
- Registered Member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- Holistic Therapist
- In addition to my private practice, I work with Cairns Counselling Service and Women's Aid
Further Training
- ASSIST (Applied Suicide intervention skills)
- Strengths Based Practice and Recovery
- De-escalation training
- Compassion-focused Therapy Introduction
- Acceptance Compassion Therapy weekend training
- Solution-Focused Training
- Attachment Theory and Lifelong relationships
- Baby Loss Training
And much more.
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
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.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
A counselling session is £45 but a sliding scale is available for students and anyone unwaged. Enquire for more details.
I offer a free 20 minute consultation which provides an opportunity to decide whether working together is the best way forward at this time.
When I work
I am available weekdays. Other times are negotiable.
Further information
I am a registered member of BACP (British Association For Counselling and Psychotherapy) and adhere to their standards of conduct, performance and ethics, including attending monthly supervision and taking responsibility for ongoing continued professional development.
Since I have a history of working in complementary therapies and teaching meditation (mindfulness and both western and eastern approaches), I can if required, incorporate this into counselling. Thus, offering the client another resource in relaxation and managing overwhelming thoughts, feelings and physical sensations.
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.
