Hannah MacIntosh

Welcome to my page.

I have tried to give you a bit of information about how i might be able to help you and about the way i work, as well as a bit about what you can expect from counselling.

I you have any questions or would like to have an informal chat please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can also take a look at my website: www.chalapsychotherapy.co.uk or search for chala psychotherapy on facebook.

How can i help you?

I offer a safe, confidential and welcoming space. I can help you to feel stronger, braver, happier, more confident and more in control.

I can help with anxiety, depression, low confidence and self esteem issues, relationship problems, stress, phobias, anger problems, body image, self harming, abuse, trauma issues, bereavement and more.

I offer some free or subsidised spaces for people who need them.

Is counselling right for me?

People seek counselling for lots of different reasons and it can be daunting to take those first steps. The most important part is finding a counsellor who is right for you, someone you feel comfortable with and who you can relate to.

Life can throw all kinds of things at you and you can quickly feel overwhelmed, exhausted trapped and stuck. You might be feeling depressed, anxious, stressed or as though you have low self esteem or lost your confidence. Family or personal relationships may be strained and difficult or you may be suffering from a relationship or marital break up. You may be dealing with a bereavement and feel you have nobody to share your emotions with and are struggling to make sense of it all. You may have suffered from abuse or a traumatic event and feel you want to talk about it. Work might be getting on top of you, making you feel miserable, overwhelmed, tired and deflated. You might be feeling stuck, as though there is no point to anything or as though nothing you do makes any difference or you might be facing a period of change or a big decision and feel you need someone to talk things over with.

I can help you feel better, take control of things again and feel more confident and hopeful. Whatever your issues I will be happy to listen to you and support you through this difficult time. Even if you feel unsure about why you feel the way you do, I can help you make sense of things and find a path forward.

I offer a professional and confidential counselling service from my own private therapy room in Stirling. The space is clam, quiet, confidential and safe, and the kettle is always on! There is free on site parking and easy access from the motorway and Stirling station. A regular bus route passes the door.

How I work?

I am a person centred therapist which means that I try to understand your experience from your perspective. I work in a supportive, non judgemental manner allowing you to explore issues with a view to improving your emotional and mental well-being and/or working towards any changes you may wish to make in your life.This way of working can help you to reconnect with your inner values and sense of self-worth, and enable your to find your own way to move forward and progress.

Next steps...

It can be really hard to take the first step, but if you feel that it is something that you want to do then we can arrange an initial telephone conversation. Initial telephone conversations are arranged at an agreed time, last for a maximum of 30 minutes and are free of charge. During this informal conversation you will be able to ask me any questions you might have, and fully explore if you think you might feel counselling is right for you. I will be able to give you a bit more information about how it works and how counselling can be helpful.

If you choose to book a session, i can offer daytime and evening  appointments. All sessions are over the phone or video link. I also offer canine facilitated therapy sessions and equine facilitated therapy session (at a different location). If you are interested either of these please get in touch.

If you have any questions or queries regarding counselling appointments please email, text or call me and I will do my best to answer any queries or concerns and reassure you. If I am unable to answer when you call please leave me a message and I shall get back to you as soon as I can. Your enquiry will be accessed by only me, therefore ensuring confidentiality from the very beginning. You will receive a prompt response and I will always respond within 24 hours of receiving any enquiry.

I offer:

• 1:1 online and telephone counselling 
• Couples counselling via video link
• short and long term counselling
• daytime and evening sessions 
• remote payment facilities
• Professional, confidential and friendly service is guaranteed

I can also offer

• Animal facilitated therapy sessions (working with my small dog)
• Equine facilitated sessions 
• Eco therapy sessions and walk n talk sessions 
• All sessions take place on our farm just north of Callander 
• All sessions are confidential and take place in a safe and private space 

• Pet Bereavement
• Farming, agricultural related issues

Payment can be made by BACS or card payment at the end of the session. Payment for online/telephone sessions is required at the time of booking and can be made via PayPal or BACS by arrangement.

Card payments accepted

Cancellation Policy
I ask that 48hrs notice of cancellation is given. Cancellation of a session with less than 24 hours notice, or failure to attend a scheduled appointment will be charged at the full rate.

As well as talking therapy i also offer animal and equine facilitated therapy.

Evidence based psychological therapy....Enhanced by an animal!

Canine facilitated therapy

There are numerous benefits to incorporating animals into human therapeutic work.

Benefits to the client may include:

• Having a dog in the room with you can help to make therapy feel less daunting and overwhelming
• Its much easier to build a relationship with a dog than a person
• The dog helps to increases satisfaction and thereby also increases motivation and effort in reaching treatment goals
• Animals included in therapy and mental health treatment plans help to increase self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Animals can help with loss and grief and assist with the development of empathy.
• AAI can also enhance mood in stressful settings
• Animals can act as a social lubricant and help a person to adjust to a new setting or unexpected change in circumstances by facilitating conversations and laughter.
• A dog provides unconditional acceptance and warmth

What to expect from a Canine facility therapy session

A session working with a dog follows much the same format as a normal face to face therapy session. Lasting 50 minutes the session will focus on what you need and bring to the session. However there are some key benefits to working with a dog, there are;

• We can build activities and tasks into the session, offering some focus away from you feeling you specifically
• We can arrange sessions outside of the office. There is lots of space in the grounds of the office as well as having access to some local short walks.
• working with the dog is particularly helpful for building self-confidence and assertiveness as well as exploring relationships
• working with the dog can help gain deeper insight more quickly than talking therapy alone
• We integrate a range of evidence based therapies creating a service that is uniquely tailored to each client
• The dog can make therapy less threatening and more effective than talking based therapy alone
• We provide assessment prior to any therapy to allow us to decide which approach is most appropriate
• The dogs role in the session is to enhance the therapy, it is not the therapist and all sessions are facilitated by a fully qualified psychotherapist.
• The dogs welfare and wellbeing is of upmost importance to us and we make sure that the dog is happy to take part
• As well as being a therapist i have a sound knowledge and understanding of dog behaviour and training ensuring that i am best paced to monitor and uphold the best standard for care and welfare at all times
• We adhere to the Society of Companion Animal Studies Codes of Practice

Equine Therapy

Equine therapy and learning is used extensively worldwide, but is relatively new to the UK. Interacting with horses captivates and holds attention. This allows faster therapeutic progress.

What we provide…

• Equine Enhanced Therapy and development services
• A corporate leadership and staff development service to businesses and organisation
• Personal development and learning opportunity
• Fully qualified and insured therapist registered with the BACP
• Healthy, happy horses

We are different from other equine therapy providers. Here are the reasons why….

• We integrate a range of evidence based therapies creating a service that is uniquely tailored to each client
• Horses can make therapy less threatening and more effective than talking based therapy alone
• We provide assessment prior to any therapy to allow us to decide which approach is most appropriate
• We can provide our range of services at various locations throughout Scotland

Why these unique features are important….

• You are reassured that we provide professionally regulated interventions
• Our therapy approaches have a scientific evidence base
• Clients can mix office based and Equine Enhanced sessions according to clinical need
• Clients learn faster by doing as well as talking
• Our service is more accessible as we can travel to you

We do NOT offer…

• Spiritual healing or any non scientifically evidenced based therapy approaches
• Horse riding
• Horse whispering or any psychic activities
• A single therapy model or approach focusing exclusively on horses