About me
Hi, I’m Mike, a counsellor based in Cawdor in the Highlands. I work with adults, children and young people, in person and online.
Getting in touch for counselling can feel like a big step, particularly when you are already carrying a lot. You do not need to have the right words, a clear explanation, or everything worked out before we begin.
Counselling offers a calm, confidential space to slow things down, talk about what feels difficult and begin making sense of it at a manageable pace. My approach is person-centred and relational. I am not here to judge you, rush you, or tell you who you should be. I am more interested in understanding the person and their experience than simply trying to manage what is happening on the surface.
People come to counselling for many different reasons, including anxiety, low mood, stress, relationships, grief, change, confidence, earlier experiences, or simply a feeling that they have been coping quietly for too long.
Children and young people do not always communicate what they are feeling through words. Alongside talking, I can use play and creative approaches where these feel helpful. I work at the child or young person’s pace, offering choices rather than expecting them to explain everything straight away. Parents and carers remain important, while the child also needs their own trusted space with clear boundaries around privacy and safeguarding.
Training, qualifications & experience
My counselling qualifications include:
- HND Counselling
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- PDA Addictions
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), membership number 418990, and a member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
I am a PVG Scheme member, hold public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Before and alongside my counselling work, I have more than 25 years’ experience across education, pastoral care, youth justice, community wellbeing and therapeutic support. Much of this has involved working alongside children, young people, families, schools and local communities.
I work within the ethical frameworks of BACP and NCPS. My practice is supported by regular supervision, safeguarding training, reflective practice and ongoing professional development. I only offer services that I have the appropriate training, competence and insurance to provide.
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.
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
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.
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
£55.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Sessions are £55 and last up to 60 minutes.
Further information
I offer a free 30-minute online First Steps Call before counselling begins. This is a chance to ask questions, say a little about what has brought you here, and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There is no pressure to continue afterwards.
Counselling sessions are £55 for 60 minutes. Before we begin, we will agree the practical arrangements together, including confidentiality and its limits, safeguarding, record keeping, payment, cancellations and how to raise a concern or complaint.
This profile is for one-to-one counselling. My separate workshops and community projects are not counselling or group therapy.
MJO Wellbeing Services is not a crisis service. If someone is at immediate risk, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health support in Scotland, call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. If counselling with me does not appear to be the right support, I will discuss this honestly and help identify appropriate next steps where possible.
