About me
Hello, I’m Robert. I’m a qualified person-centred counsellor based in the Central Belt of Scotland. I offer a warm, genuine and accepting space where you can explore whatever you may be experiencing, without fear of judgement.
I believe that, often, we already hold many of the answers to our own difficulties and dilemmas. What can be harder is finding a space where we feel safe enough to explore them openly - particularly when we worry that our feelings might seem “silly”, that we might be judged, or that we simply won’t be heard.
I work from a person-centred approach, which means that our work together is shaped around you and what you need. I place importance on empathy, genuineness and unconditional positive regard. I won’t pretend to be something I’m not; I believe that building a genuine therapeutic relationship means meeting you as a real person, while providing a space where you can be yourself too.
I work with a range of presenting issues, including anxiety, depression, burnout, low self-esteem, shame and difficulties around self-acceptance. My background in fitness and performance has also given me particular insight into experiences surrounding body image, disordered eating, perfectionism, failure and fear of rejection.
I have a particular interest in working with LGBTQ+ clients and exploring the experiences that can come with sexuality, identity, belonging, social stigma and self-acceptance. Sometimes, the things we have been made to feel ashamed of can become the very things that shape how we see ourselves. Counselling can offer an opportunity to explore these experiences at your own pace and in a space where you don't have to hide or justify who you are.
My aim is to help you feel heard, understood, and safe enough to explore thoughts and feelings that may currently feel overwhelming or difficult to make sense of. Together, we can begin to understand these experiences rather than allowing them to take ownership of you.
Our work might involve reflection, self-exploration, journalling and, where appropriate, humour. There is no expectation that you need to arrive with everything figured out. We can start wherever you are.
If you feel that I might be someone you could work with, please get in touch to arrange a free 20-minute consultation. This gives us an opportunity to talk a little about what brings you to counselling, answer any questions you may have, and explore whether we might be a good fit to work together.
Training, qualifications & experience
- MSc in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy
- COSCA Skills Certificate
- BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre
- CIMSPA-accredited Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free 20-minute initial call to see if we both feel we’re a good match.
I understand money can be tough. My initial charge is £70 but can be negotiated dependant on circumstances.
