Stephanie Saunders
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi there!
I am an Edinburgh based counsellor and Sex & Relationship therapist working full time in private practice with individuals and couples. My practice is based in central Edinburgh however I am currently working online. I specialise in explorative and action based proactive talk therapy aimed at helping you achieve the changes you would like to make in your life and to help you gain clarity and understanding to the life experiences you would like to work with.
My areas of focus...
I specialise in working with a number of issues from relationship difficulties, communication problems, low self esteem, issues around intimacy and confidence, depression, anxiety and stress. I am also a fully trained Sex Therapist and have experience working with the GSD (LGBTQ+) community specialising in sexuality, gender identity, self confidence and assertiveness and same sex relationships.
Counselling modalities...
Working as a therapist, I draw upon a number of well established, tried and tested counselling and psychotherapy theoretical practices such as Transactional Analysis and Person-Centred Therapy. As well as psychosexual therapy. Transactional Analysis (TA) is the study of communication patterns through breaking down personality into 3 parts; - The Parent, The Adult and The Child. When we understand how these aspects of our personality work, we can look at how we communicate with others and better understand why often emotionally charged conversations can feel unresolved or unsatisfying.
I tailor the work based on what you would like to explore and help you build a greater understanding about your personal psychology, decision making processes and life decisions. Everybody is different and special which is what makes this work so important!
What to expect from the initial session...
One of the most important things about starting counselling is to find the right counsellor for you. To start this process, I offer an initial consultation so we can explore whether the types of therapy I practice are right for you. If it is not the right therapeutic fit, or if another type of work would be better suited, I will do my best to recommend alternatives for you where possible.
If we both agree that this counselling is right for you, we can then arrange regular 50 minute appointments. I would suggest that these sessions occur on a weekly basis in order to give you the best support possible but I am happy to discuss alternative arrangements and be as flexible as possible.
Please feel free to check out my website for more detailed explanations of the types of work I specialise in.
https://stephasaunders.wixsite.com/ssaunderscounselling
I look forward to hearing from you!
Training, qualifications & experience
- Qualifications & Experience in Counselling and Sexology
- Graduated in 2008 with an MA Hons. Degree in Psychology, Edinburgh University.
- Post-grad Diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling, COSCA accredited course awarded by the Counselling & Psychotherapy Training Institute.
- Certificate in Couples Counselling awarded by Relationships Scotland.
- Diploma in Sex and Relationship Therapy, awarded by Relationships Scotland.
- Experience working in both the Private and Voluntary sector gaining experience working with individuals and couples to improve relationship dynamics and solve sexual difficulties.
- Extensive knowledge working with the LGBTQAI+ Community and supporting those experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, stress and depression as well as a number of other mental health issues.
- Attend regular CPD (Continued Professional Development) courses to inform my practice and have regular supervision in adherence with ethical framework set out by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Member of Statutory, Regulatory and/or other professional body:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Registered Member of The College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Additional information
All initial sessions are charged at £35. This gives us a chance to talk through the areas of your life you would like to work with and whether the types of counselling I offer would be suitable for you.
Individual counselling sessions are charged at £65. Couples therapy and Sex Therapy is charged £75 for a 60 minute session.
Further information
Due to the pandemic, I am currently working on a secure online video conferencing platform.
