Jill Atkinson

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she/her
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 1DU
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

The nature of modern life can often be overwhelming. Many people feel anxious, depressed, or lost in the world. This might be because of any number of reasons, such as family or personal relationships, childhood experiences, work or lifestyle. Some of the reasons may be unknown, which can be difficult in itself. Whatever you are struggling with, I believe counselling can provide the opportunities for healing and growth and can help you process and explore the challenges that life brings. It can be a positive and valuable life investment that is empowering, freeing and life-changing.

My practice uses an integrative approach: I believe in the uniqueness of each individual and that different approaches may work at different times but that the theraputic relationship is at the heart of counselling. I will help you gain insight into the thoughts, emotions and experiences that might impact how you live your life. I can help you develop a deeper awareness of yourself, allowing you to take more control, increase your resilience, build your self-esteem, and improve your general wellbeing. Together, we work at your pace and towards your goals to achieve the life changes you desire. Whatever approach we choose, compassion is always at the centre of my practice, and my sessions take place in a safe, held and supportive space.

I am a COSCA registered counsellor. I have experience working with anxiety, mild-to-moderate depression, low mood, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, loneliness, social anxiety, stress and personal growth. I also work in as a group-work therapist, facilitating groups on low self-esteem, managing anxiety and self-compassion. 

I firstly offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation, which is a chance for you to tell me why you'd like to access counselling along with what your hopes for counselling are. I can answer any questions you may have and check if I'm the right counsellor to meet your needs. I will also encourage you to consider whether you're happy to work with me as your counsellor.

Should you decide to go ahead,  we will book an initial appointment, where I will spend some time finding out more about you, your current situation and the impact it's having on your life. I will then contract for 4-6 counselling sessions followed by a review of where you are. 

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualifications

Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork – a Cognitive Behavioural Approach - The Centre of Therapy and Counselling Studies

COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills - The University of Edinburgh

BSc (Hons) Psychology - The University of Stirling

Additional Training

An Introduction to Theory and Practice of Compassion-Focused Therapy, The Compassionate Mind Foundation

An introduction to Transactional Analysis - Physis Scotland

Mood and Food - The Connection 

Outdoor Therapy Training - Venture Trust

Member organisations

COSCA
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA)

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.

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

Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland
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.

Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£50.00 per session

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Mysa Therapy Rooms, 6a Newmills Road, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 1DU

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Key details

PVG Scheme info

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Jill Atkinson
Jill Atkinson