Sian MacDonald

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she/her
BA Social Sciences | Dip. Couple Counselling | MBACP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Elgin IV30 & Forres IV36
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

With over 20 years of experience I offer a professional and compassionate approach to help my clients enact positive life changes. We all experience turmoil in our lives from time to time and counselling can help you deal with any issues that may arise in a safe non judgemental confidential space.

I began my work as a counsellor over 20 years ago with Relationship Scotland. I set up my private practice Choices Counselling in 2008 and have worked with individuals, couples, young people and families over the years. I bring a wealth of experience to my work and have seen clients from various backgrounds and ages and stages of their lives.

I aim to help you gain greater self awareness and understanding as to why you may react in certain situations which in turn will help you make positive changes by bringing the subconscious into the conscious.

I work face to face, online and by telephone and offer walk and talk therapy.

I work as a counsellor for Quarriers and Arrows and for local businesses.

Training, qualifications & experience

I gained my Diploma in Counselling in 2002 with Relationship Scotland which included training in young peoples counselling and family work as well as counselling couples and adults. This training included 350 hours of heavily supervised counselling with clients before the Diploma could be awarded. My initial training was psychodynamic which involves delving into the subconscious to understand the roots of emotions and behaviours. I would now say that I work in an integrative or pluralistic way drawing on different skills and training making sure that I work in a way that best suits the individual.

During the pandemic, I completed my certificate in Online Counselling, my certificate in Tapping (EFT) and my certificate in Schema Therapy.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Therapies offered

Fees

£40.00 - £70.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

Additional information

Pricing

  • Individuals £45 per hour
  • Couples £60 per hour, £70 for 1.5 hours
  • 18 & under £40 per hour
  • Tapping £45 per hour

A sliding scale is offered depending on the circumstances

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Choices Counselling, Victoria House, 10 Victoria Crescent, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1RF

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Families
Groups

Key details

PVG Scheme info

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Wheelchair user access info
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Good outside parking and office is on the ground floor.

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom

Social