Martha Pollard
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, my name is Martha Pollard, and I offer both short and long term counselling for individuals aged 18 and over. I hold a Diploma in Counselling, and have Level 2 Accreditation in Essentials in Compassion-Focused Therapy from the Association for Psychological Therapies. I am also a mindfulness and compassion practitioner and a certified teacher trained by the UK Mindfulness Association.
I work with people on a range of issues (as shown in the services section). The basis of my counselling is person-centred, together with compassion-focused therapy approaches that incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion.
I worked in the academic field of public health and psychology from 1993-2012 and am a co-author of the textbook Personality Traits, by Gerry Matthews, Ian Deary and Martha Whiteman (as my name was then). Since 2012, I have worked in community services in the field of carer support and counselling, and with people living with dementia.
I have also worked in other counselling services with people who have experienced a range of other difficult experiences and distress of varying kinds. I am currently also doing research in the field of dementia care, looking at family and staff carer perspectives on freedom in caring, including in pandemic-affected health care.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a counsellor member (no. 4165) of the professional body COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) and a COSCA-accredited trainer of counselling skills. I am also a certified mindfulness teacher, with teacher membership of the UK Mindfulness Association.
Counselling and mindfulness qualifications:
- Certified to teach the Mindfulness Based Living Course of the UK Mindfulness Association (2023)
- Accredited trainer for the Certificate in Counselling Skills of COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland ) (2021)
- Level 2 Accreditation in Essentials in Compassion-Focused Therapy (Association for Psychological Therapies) (2020, refreshed 2023)
- Diploma in Counselling (Interface Training Ltd., Edinburgh) (2020)
- COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (Edinburgh College) (2017)
Prior qualifications:
- MSc (1994) and PhD (1998) in Public Health Sciences (University of Edinburgh)
- BA in Psychology, Colby College (Maine, USA) (1990)
The basis of my counselling is person-centred, with compassion-focused therapy approaches. I undertake regular supervision and CPD in counselling, mindfulness and compassion and am a teacher member of the UK Mindfulness Association.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Anticipatory grief
- Older people/life adjustment
- Transitions
- Loss
- Feeling sad
Therapies offered
Fees
£25.00 - £60.00
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Additional information
£50 standard fee per session.
Concessionary rates available.
Further information
During the current circumstances, I can offer sessions video call or, if you feel comfortable to do so and following all needed COVID-19 preventive guidelines, in therapy rooms at the Quaker Meeting House, Kelso. There is good access to parking.
