About me
Are you feeling anxious or overwhelmed with life? Are things causing you to feel distressed, uncertain, alone or unhappy? Are you feeling stuck and unsure of how to move forward, or struggling with conflicting feelings?
It can be so much easier to talk to someone who is impartial, and can give you the time and space needed to work through what is troubling you. Someone who you can be completely honest with without worrying that you might be sharing too much, or offending anyone, like can happen with family or friends at times.
Counselling is my passion, and I provide a comfortable space where you can feel safe and listened to. A place to pause and look after yourself. With me you can share your anxieties, concerns, worries or fears. You can talk about how you have been affected by experiences, and express what you really feel, without fear of judgment.
As a professional qualified pluralistic counsellor and psychotherapist, I offer care, empathy and compassion, in a safe and confidential space to explore whatever is troubling you. Whether you are experiencing temporary challenges or significantly difficult issues, my role is to support you in a person-centred way in finding your own way forward - at your pace.
I believe every person is unique and the work we do together reflects that. My practice is rooted in respect, acceptance and a deep belief in your capacity for growth and healing.
I offer
- A confidential space without judgement
- Active listening and collaborative exploration
- Support in building resilience, clarity and self-compassion
- Encouragement to prioritise self-care and emotional wellbeing
- Free introductory calls by arrangement - please email, text or leave a voicemail
Because we can work together in a safe environment creating a therapeutic relationship, it will help you to move forward at your own pace. Feeling supported in this way can help you to process and navigate your way through issues towards a more comfortable way of being.
By using a variety of counselling models we can explore feelings and experiences from formative years, or things that are making you feel stuck or anxious in the present. We can explore grief, loss and sadness, and we can explore how to face difficulties rather than avoid them. We can look at how patterns of coping with life became embedded in adult life. Those ways of coping may not be working too well now, so we can work together to help you find different and more effective ways to approach challenges. The process of working through experiences and feelings helps you build new skills and resilience to cope better with life's adversities in the present, and will help you to be more prepared if new ones arise. I work in a way that feels right for you, and we can review the way we work regularly to make sure you are benefitting from it.
I work with adults age 16+ and have PVG membership. I am very experienced in working in organisations with parents and families and with Neurodivergence. I also spent time working in the LGBT+ community.
My therapy room is suitable for wheelchair users and is a comfortable, calm space in a quiet area of town, with unrestricted parking. Kirkcudbright is also a lovely place to visit where you could reset and process your feelings after your therapy session over a cuppa in one of several lovely cafes, or in the small shops or galleries before returning to your day.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy and spent time working in a counselling and support organisation before starting my private practice. Prior to that with a BA degree in Childhood practice, I spent 2 decades working with children and families from all walks of life in the capacity of practitioner and nursery manager.
I have a strong understanding of relational attachment, Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma and how unresolved, that can affect our lives as adults. I have a lot of experience and understanding of hidden disabilities and neurodivergence, particularly ADHD and Autism, Cerebral Visual Impairment, Dysgraphia, hearing impairment etc. In 2019 on a field trip, I visited educational and mental health institutes in Helsinki to observe ground-breaking supportive initiatives being pioneered in Finland for young people and adults..
I completed my counselling training alongside working full time, and chose to study pluralistic counselling so I can tailor my approach to meet a wide range of people with varied issues because I believe, one size doesn't fit all. I combine my experiences in life and education, with my person centred approach and acceptance of peoples' differences and individuality. Bringing that experience, along with the pluralistic therapeutic approach, allows me to work together with you with genuine empathy and understanding of your lived experiences. This approach recognises that all people are different and need different things at different times in their lives, so our work together enables you to make choices around your aims and decisions as we work together, also finding methods that you can draw upon to help you feel less stuck.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. 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
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
A session is 60 minutes
When I work
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Further information
Some examples of continual professional training include:
- Pregnancy and baby loss (SANDS)
- Disclosure of Abuse
- Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- NHS Population Screening Awareness (including for Transgender individuals)
- Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences, brain development, rupture and repair in relationships and the polyvagal system with Dr Suzanne Zeedyk
- When the body says no: Mind/Body Unity and the Stress-Disease Connection with Gabor Mate
- Compassion fatigue: Caring for ourselves while Caring for others with Gabor Mate
