About me
Has life changed in ways you never expected?
If you’re struggling with loss, life transitions or no longer recognising the person you’ve become, I offer a warm, accepting space where you can begin to make sense of it all.
Reaching out for counselling isn’t always easy. You may have spent months—or even years—telling yourself you should be coping better, staying strong or putting everyone else’s needs before your own. Perhaps you’ve worried about being a burden or wondered whether what you’re feeling is “important enough” to talk about.
I believe it is.
I’m Pauline Rouse, a Person-Centred Counsellor (MBACP) offering counselling in Lanarkshire and online across the UK. My role isn’t to tell you what to do or to offer quick fixes. Instead, I work alongside you, providing a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels right for you.
Every client is unique. That’s why I don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all approach to counselling. You are the expert in your own life, and together we can explore your experiences, make sense of what you’re carrying and help you reconnect with your own strengths and values.
I have a particular interest in supporting adults experiencing grief, bereavement, loss and life transitions. Loss can take many forms. It may be the death of someone you love, but it can also be the loss of your health, your career, your independence, a relationship, your confidence or the future you imagined for yourself.
Alongside grief and loss, I also work with people experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, self-esteem difficulties, relationship challenges, caring responsibilities and the emotional impact of significant life changes.
Clients often tell me they find me calm, approachable and easy to talk to. I won’t judge you, rush you or expect you to have all the answers. I believe that when people feel genuinely heard, accepted and understood, they are better able to untangle difficult experiences, challenge unhelpful beliefs and discover their own capacity for change.
My hope is that when you leave a session, you feel lighter—not because life’s challenges have disappeared, but because you no longer feel you are carrying them alone.
I offer face-to-face counselling in Lanarkshire, together with secure online counselling for clients throughout the UK. If you’re wondering whether counselling might be right for you, I’d be happy to hear from you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training, Qualifications and Experience
I am a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), working in accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework.
I hold a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Counselling, awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), alongside a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and a Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE).
I have over 2½ years’ experience working within The Wynd, a counselling organisation where I have supported clients through a range of personal difficulties and life experiences. This has strengthened my understanding of the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the value of providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings.
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent many years working as a teacher. This experience developed my ability to build trusting relationships, listen with empathy and recognise that every person has their own unique experiences, strengths and challenges.
My areas of particular interest include grief and loss, attachment and trauma-informed practice, alongside supporting people experiencing significant life changes and transitions.
I am committed to ongoing professional development through continued learning, professional reading, research and reflective practice. I also engage in regular clinical supervision to ensure my work remains ethical, thoughtful and focused on the wellbeing of my clients.
Qualifications
Higher National Diploma (HND) in Counselling – Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Social Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education (PGCE)
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)
Member organisations
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Grief and loss
Life transitions
Loss of identity and purpose
Carer stress and caregiver burnout
Disability and chronic illness
Adjustment to diagnosis
Anxiety and overwhelm
Feeling invisible / low self-worth
Menopause and midlife changes
Empty nest / children leaving home
Retirement adjustment
Relationship changes and separation
Stress
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 per session
Additional information
Fees
Individual counselling (50-minute session): £50
I believe that accessing counselling shouldn’t feel out of reach. If cost is something you’re worried about, please feel free to get in touch. In some circumstances, I may be able to offer a limited number of reduced-fee or community-supported places, subject to availability.
I aim to make counselling as accessible as possible and am happy to discuss any practical concerns you may have before your first appointment.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
I aim to make counselling as accessible and straightforward as possible. I recognise that starting therapy can feel daunting, and I work in a way that allows people to move at their own pace, with flexibility around how sessions are approached and structured.
I am happy to adapt how we work together where possible, including communication style and practical arrangements, to support individual needs and reduce barriers to accessing therapy.
When you make contact, I offer a gentle and informal first step, with no pressure to continue if it does not feel right for you. My aim is to make the process of beginning counselling feel as comfortable and manageable as possible.
I also ensure that online sessions are kept as simple as possible, with support available for those who may feel less confident with technology.
