Gail Turner

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Counselling MSc; MBACP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Blairgowrie PH11 & Forfar DD8
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello, I’m Gail, a qualified and experienced counsellor.  I welcome you into this trusting, supportive and tranquil virtual space where you can explore whatever you find challenging.  I will support you, while you unravel your thoughts and make sense of your situation, adjusting to your changing understandings and life balance.  My aim is to understand your experiences from your perspective and how they impact on you.  Whether it is past or present events that are concerning you, I will hear your story and support you with compassion and respect.  Together we can work flexibly and creatively towards what you feel will be the most appropriate and meaningful ways to deal with your concerns and bring about the change you seek. 

Lifes challenges knows no boundaries and I have supported children, adolescents, adults, elders, lgbtq+ and of different faiths.   They have experienced a wide variety of difficulties including, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) including neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse: major life changes and transitions, chronic illness, bereavement due to suicide, drug or alcohol use, pet loss, relationship or family discord and work-related issues.  I have also supported people take a faith or spiritual based approach to making sense of their worries and concerns or to nurture and develop their personal and spiritual growth.  Life's challenges can come with various emotional responses including confusion, heightened levels of stress, anxiety, generalised or social anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, low mood, depression, and spiritual discord and it may be that you are unsure about the cause of the emotional response you are experiencing.  Throughout our sessions together we can explore, and reflect on what is going on for you and consider resources. You can choose what would be the most helpful for you.  

                                                    Change is possible

For your counselling to be therapeutic, the quality of the relationship is most important.  This is why I offer a 20 minute informal chat where we can share information about your needs and your counselling preferences, and my counselling approach.  If you feel we could work together and you would like to continue, you can opt for short-term (only a few sessions), or long-term (several sessions).  We will regularly review progress, checking if you are comfortable with the way the counselling is going. Is it in the direction you wish?  Is it in a way that feels right for you?  And is it at a pace that suits you?  Then we can explore what would help you to bring about the balance or changes that you are looking for and make any adjustments you feel would be beneficial.

       You are the expert on your life, and I believe your answers are within you.

Each session is one hour.  Availablility is Monday to Thursday, mornings, afternoons or evenings.  You can opt for the ease of online sessions, or if you live locally to Forfar you can experience sessions outdoors, depending on your preference.  

If you would like to know more, send me an email, text or voicemail and I'll contact you within 48 hours to arrange an informal chat.  This is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about counselling and  explore how we could work together.  If this all seems to be working for you and you decide you would like to access counselling with me, we can arrange your first appointment at the most suitable time.  

Mindfulness

I also offer individual mindfulness sessions and courses, online and in-person, to individuals and groups.  Feel free to contact me if you are interested in developing your personal mindfulness practice or would like details of upcoming courses.  I am also available to run courses for your organisation.

Training, qualifications & experience

I trained at the University of Abertay, gaining an MSc with merit in Pluralistic counselling.  As a Pluralistic approach supports diversity and flexibility and draws from a variety of therapeutic approaches my work is constantly evolving.  By integrating aspects of Person-centred, Compassion Focussed, Mindfulness, Psychodynamic and other approaches you can shape your own course of therapy to meet your own needs and preferences.  You lead the way, guiding the therapy process in the direction you want, at a pace that suits you.  

Qualifications

  • 2022 - PGCert Studies in Mindfulness (University of Aberdeen) 
  • 2020 -Certified Cyber Therapist (Online Therapy Institute)
  • 2020 - Mindfulness Based Living Course. Ready to Teach, Level 2, Young Adults (Mindfulness Association)
  • 2019 - MSc (merit) in Counselling (outdoors) (University of Abertay)
  • 2018 - Mindfulness Based Living Course, Ready to Teach, Level 2, Adults (Mindfulness Association)
  • 2018 - Certificate in Counselling Children (CPCAB)
  • 2017 -Post-Graduate Diploma Counselling (University of Abertay)
  • 2012 -Post-Graduate Certificate Counselling Skills (University of Abertay)
  • 2006 - BA Social Sciences (UHI Perth)

Continued Personal and Professional Development is a key and valued aspect of my role as a counsellor.  

  • 2022 - Compassion Focused Therapy: Advanced Clinical Skills (20 hours) 
  • 2021 - Bereavement Counselling (21 hours)

As a counsellor I have supported children, adolescents, adults and elders.  I have experience of working in primary school and university settings, and in voluntary organisations providing specialist support for; carers, survivors of sexual abuse, and those who have suffered with pet bereavement and loss.

Before training as a counsellor, I have lived and worked in a variety of care settings, including retirement homes, veterinary services, and foster care. 

I am also a qualified Aromatherapist, Reiki practitioner and enjoy nature and the outdoors.

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

Fees

£40.00 - £50.00

Additional information

Exchange - Please take your situation and circumstance into consideration and choose what feels fair and affordable for you, £40, £45 or £50. 

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross, PH11

Forfar, Angus, DD8

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Gail Turner
Gail Turner