About me
Life can be incredibly unfair, unkind, cruel and traumatic. I’ve experienced first hand the need for compassionate support and therefore offer a supportive and confidential space to explore your experiences. Whether you're feeling overwhelm, isolation, trauma, suicide or seeking change or personal growth, I will walk alongside you. Together, we can work through challenges, foster resilience and embrace your authentic self. As a neurodiverse mental health professional, I understand many of the unique challenges and strengths of diverse minds.
I am trained in person-centred and psychodynamic modalities, however, it is the relationship that facilitates change, healing & growth. Let's navigate your journey, explore your past, understand your present, and build a better future. I've walked this road, and remain committed to betterment, helping those alongside me to find a better way of being.
The actuality of Life transcends the binary of black or white; it’s often more an intricately layered balance and blend of both. Deep within this rainbow of grey, we can discover the richness of experience and opportunities in life, which is unique to every individual on their journey. This is where we will connect, where change begins and growth occurs.
Training, qualifications & experience
- PGCert Diploma in counselling (Edinburgh University)
- Level 3, Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare (Neebosh)
- Business support mentor (Princes Trust)
Member organisations
COSCA is the professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in Scotland, and seeks to advance all forms of counselling and psychotherapy and the use of counselling skills by promoting best practice and through the delivery of a range of sustainable services. COSCA Counsellor Accreditation is a pathway to entry onto the UKRC. It is a requirement of all individual and organisational members of COSCA to abide by its Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice and be accountable to the Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
Up to £50.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Connections tiered fee structure
I offer a free initial consultation online or phone for 10-15 minutes if you would like to see about how it feels to connect with me and work together.
- Pay what you can - Tier 1
For individuals on less that £20,000 per year, such as those receiving Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance. Clients can pay any variable amount between £1 and £30. We recommend (but are not restricted to) 10-15 sessions and will have a check-in every 5. These sessions are funded through donations and grants and therefore might be subject to a waiting system. We offer up to 15 sessions in Tier 1 with a check in every 5. As Tier 1 is a funded program, we would look to end at (or around) sessions 15. However, under considered circumstances there might be scope to continue beyond this.
- £40 per session - Tier 2
Individuals earning between the Scottish Living Wage (£11.44 per hour) and the average Scottish wage up to £30,000 per year. We recommend (but are not restricted to) 10-15 sessions and will have a check-in every 5.
- £50 per session - Tier 3
All individuals earning over £30,000 per year. We recommend (but are not restricted to) 10-15 sessions and will have a check-in every 5.
When I work
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- Monday: 9:30am, 10:45am, 12pm, 2:15pm & 3:30pm
- Tuesday: 9:30am, 10:45am, 12pm, 2:15pm & 3:30pm
- Thursday: 9:30am, 10:45am, 12pm, 2:15pm & 3:30pm
- Friday: 9:30am, 10:45am & 12pm
Further information
Hello, I am Ian and the founder of Connections. I am a neurodivergent professional supporting mental health. I decided to set up a practice to help with mental health development in Edinburgh in person and Scotland, UK and Europe online. I have known times when I have needed the very help that I am now here to provide. I offer a supportive and confidential relationship, stepping into your frame of reference and walking beside you in your experiences.
I work with both the Person-Centered approach and Psychodynamic modalities. I am a counsellor on COSCA’s Register that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. This is recognition of my commitment to high standards. Being on an accredited register demonstrates my commitment to high professional standards, enhancing safety and delivering a better service.
Perhaps you are feeling a little stuck, or wrestling with a sense of overwhelm, despair or even shame that you just can’t shake. This is normal and while you might feel isolated and lonely, you are not alone in this. Maybe you are seeking change in life or personal growth in specific areas. No one is perfect and while many of us aim to be, we all have areas where we can develop for the better.
Together we can discuss where you are and where you want to get to. By understanding your thoughts, focusing on your feelings and exploring your past, the work we will do together will help shine lights in areas that might seem out of reach or hidden. This can help to illuminate your pathways, which we will walk side by side. My door is open to you and, should you choose to walk through it, I will be here to help you help yourself.
Connections Counselling CIC is located in the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, between Easter Road and Leith Walk, at 32-36 Dalmeny Street, EH6 8RG. There is pay and display parking in the surrounding streets with bus and tram stops near by. The building is open to the public Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm with an award winning cafe on site. Our counselling space is at the back left of the main hall.
