About me
As a psychotherapist, I offer a warm, supportive, and non-judgemental space where you can be yourself and talk openly about whatever is bringing you to counselling. My role isn’t to tell you what to do or how you should feel. It’s to listen, understand, and work alongside you to help you make sense of things and find a way forward that feels right for you.
Alongside my work as a psychotherapist, I have a background in teaching and have worked extensively with teenagers with additional support needs within a secondary school setting. This has given me a strong understanding of neurodiversity and the different ways people experience and respond to the world around them. It has also given me an understanding of the wider impact that additional needs can have, not only on the individual but on their families and those around them.
I recognise that everyone who comes to counselling is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. I take the time to get to know you as an individual and adapt my approach to what you need. Whether you are dealing with a particular difficulty, going through a challenging period in your life, or simply feel that you need someone outside of your usual support network to talk to, we can start wherever you are.
You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable before asking for support, and you don’t have to know exactly what you need help with. Sometimes, the hardest part is simply making that first step.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a Honours degree in Teaching from the University of Glasgow, a COSCA Counselling Certificate, and have a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT & Groupwork (SCQF Level 11) through ACT Counselling Services and Training.
I have 15+ years experience in education which has allowed me to develop a broad range of skills which I bring into my therapeutic work, including building trusting relationships, active listening, empathy, communication, and adapting my approach to meet the individual needs of each client.
I have worked as a psychotherapist at Revive MS, supporting people living with multiple sclerosis and their families. This experience gave me valuable insight into the emotional and practical impact that living with a long-term condition can have on individuals and those around them. It developed my ability to support people through uncertainty, change, loss, adjustment, and the range of emotions that can come with life-changing circumstances. It also strengthened my understanding of the importance of working collaboratively with families and recognising the individual behind their circumstances.
In my counselling practice, Thrive with Siobhan, I work with a diverse range of clients aged 12+, supporting people experiencing difficulties including anxiety, depression, overwhelm, grief, phobias and OCD. I understand that these experiences can look very different from one person to another, and I take the time to understand each individual’s circumstances rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
My experience working with young people, including teenagers with additional support needs, has also given me an understanding of neurodiversity and the ways in which additional needs can affect an individual’s emotional wellbeing, relationships, education and family life. I aim to use this understanding to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel heard, respected and able to be themselves.
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
£49.00 per session
Additional information
I understand that making the decision to start counselling can feel like a big step, so I aim to make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible. Sessions provide a confidential, supportive space where we can work together at a pace that feels right for you.
If you’re unsure whether counselling is right for you, please feel free to get in touch. We can have a free initial consultation call about what you’re looking for and whether I might be the right person to support you.
Further information
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, so I want to make the process as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
There is no expectation that you arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about or having everything worked out. Our first sessions are an opportunity for us to get to know each other, talk about what has brought you to counselling, and explore what you would like support with. From there, we can work together to find an approach that feels right for you.
I believe that feeling comfortable and having a good therapeutic relationship is an important part of counselling. I offer a warm, relaxed, and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly and be yourself, at your own pace.
Whether you are looking for support with something you have been struggling with for a long time, dealing with a recent change or difficult experience, or simply feel that you need some support to make sense of things, you are welcome to get in touch.
You don’t have to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help. Sometimes, reaching out is the first step towards feeling differently.
