Shireen Maclennan

What can I help with ?

Thanks for looking at my profile and a very warm welcome. 

Do not worry if you are unsure  of why you are thinking about therapy. Most clients start therapy with a vague feeling of something being off with them but find it difficult to know exactly how they get to this place. Clients can often describe the actual situations and people that adversely affect them but not why it happens or how they can approach things for the better. The good news is  that I can help you think and feel more deeply about what is going on.  I work by asking you to challenge your assumptions about things you know but in a more  involving way which leads to a deeper understanding.This helps you untangle those feelings and clarify your perceptions, allowing you to prioritise; to connect or even re-connect with the things that really matter to you. This new knowledge about yourself leads to a more free you,  allowing you to chose your response to life instead of having to react to incoming issues and situations.

Trust and Empowerment 

My only aim in therapy is to ensure my client is  comfortable and safe .When this happens,  clients feel empowered to chuck out all the stuff in their hearts and their heads, unburdening themselves and leaving them free to talk and discuss anything and everything without fear of judgement.  At the end of therapy, you may change things in your life that no longer suit you or you may feel that understanding a different perspective has enabled you to embrace your life. Whatever the outcome, you will feel more in tune with yourself, freeing you to choose your next steps.

How I work

There are many different disciplines within Psychotherapy. I am an Integrated Existentialist Psychotherapist. This means that I have a broad experience in different disciplines but focus our relationship within the existentialist philosophy and outcomes. 

Existentialists believe that, as people, we have the right and the opportunity to be comfortable in the world. Comfortable with ourselves, with our intentions and our ability to be whom we wish. It is about finding your way of being rather than just fixing problems. You do not have to worry about understanding exactly how I work rather my advice is that if you feel that I am not listening and responding to you then I am not offering good therapy. 

My time with you will see us working together to allow you to become the person you chose to become. We agree and set goals and we challenge those goals as appropriate, as we grow and develop over time. 

Please email me with what has brought you to therapy and let me know when the best time is for me to call you back.

I will call you back as soon as I can. We will arrange for a complimentary 20 minute telephone call to see if I can help you and whether you feel that working with me is right for you. We can then arrange any next steps.