Elliot McGuire
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My name's Elliot, and I'm a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
Firstly, well done for getting on the directory: taking the step towards getting counselling isn't easy, especially if you've never done it before.
As a counsellor, I work with a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, phobias, self-esteem, and OCD.
My approach and style are tailored to each individual: what works for my last client might not work for you. We'll adapt our sessions to be the best fit for your personality and learning style.
I have three main goals in our sessions:
- Offer you a compassionate and judgement-free space.
How often do we actually get 50 minutes to talk about something in detail? This space allows you to figure out what's going on, and work through your problems in a safe and comfortable environment without judgement. - Help you identify and modify your thoughts and behaviours.
Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are all linked. But when you're in the driver's seat of your mind, it can be really difficult to see what's actually happening. In counselling, we can slow that down, and figure out what's causing your negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. From there, we can start to modify them, so you can take control of your mind. - Give you the tools to help yourself.
While many people may continue with regular counselling for years or even decades, I want to make sure you're equipped with practical tools and strategies to maintain your mental health independently in the long run.
Why am I the right counsellor for you?
Finding the right counsellor is like choosing the right hairdresser. All hairdressers cut your hair: but I bet you've had a few you didn't like.
It's the same with counsellors. We all aim to do the same thing, but you probably won't be a perfect fit with all of them.
To see if I'm a good fit for you, I offer a free 15-minute consultation (via phone or video call) where we can have an informal chat.
A little bit about me
Like many counsellors, I got into this profession through personal experience. Before I wanted to help other people, I wanted (and needed) to help myself.
I experienced my first panic attack at 14. Determined that something was physically wrong with me, I had MRIs, CT scans — the full 9 yards.
Only years later did I realise that I was experiencing anxiety. I was amazed that something ‘in my head’ could have such a physical effect on me.
After seeing several doctors and counsellors, I felt deflated and disappointed. I wasn’t ‘worried’ about anything: I just couldn’t shake this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. I became withdrawn, didn’t go much, lost my appetite, and under-performed in every area of my life.
There were weeks when I didn't leave the house, and my health was dire.
I became obsessed with figuring out why I was like this. I read books, listened to experts and experimented: with my daily routine, sleep, diet — you name it, I’ve probably tried it.
While I didn’t ‘cure’ my anxiety (that probably won’t happen), I learned to control it through what I now know as the principles of CBT.
During that time, I felt let down by the public healthcare system and the support I received. I became a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to support others and help them learn the skills to control their mind.
What I ask of you
The main requirement for success in counselling is showing up, even when you don't feel like it. Turning up for sessions can be difficult, and opening up can feel uncomfortable. But if it was easy, then you wouldn't be here.
As we only see each other 50 minutes per week, it's important that you make progress outside of our time together. CBT involves a degree of homework, so you'll usually always leave our sessions with something to work on in the following week.
If you're ready for change and willing to put the time and work in, I'm here to support you every step of the way toward achieving your goals. Just drop me an email through my email link above, and we can set up a free no-obligations chat.
If not, I wish you all the best in finding the right counsellor for you.
Take care,
Elliot
Training, qualifications & experience
- SCOTACS Diploma in CBT (level 10)
- COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate
- BACP member
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Additional information
When I work
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