Susan Murray
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, thanks for considering my services, I'd like to help you if I can. Many years of experience as a counsellor and psychologist enable me to adapt my knowledge and training to suit you and your individual needs in an integrated way. Together we will work through your difficulties and make sense of your thoughts in a safe, collaborative way in a confidential space, whether that's in person or remotely, at a pace which suits you. Our aim will always be to achieve your personal goals, resolve your difficulties and restore calm, confidence and wellbeing.
Perhaps you are suffering from anxiety, depression, stress or trauma? Family issues, worries at work or relationship difficulties can all affect your health and well-being and talking with a professional counsellor can help in a way that talking with friends or family can't. Unresolved trauma underlies many emotional difficulties and can result from many life experiences including accidents, violence, bereavements and abuse whether that’s emotional (including unintentional neglect), physical or sexual in nature. I can help resolve the distressing symptoms of trauma (PTSD) using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or using a gentle but effective Rewind technique which uses deep relaxation and guided imagery to reduce flashbacks, intrusive thoughts and distressing physical symptoms of trauma. This method enables the brain to fully process trauma and clients often tell me their lives have been completely transformed by this treatment and their anxiety related symptoms are significantly reduced -it is also effective in treating phobias too.
I also help people overcome problems like low self-esteem, panic disorder and deal with mental health issues. I have specialist psychological knowledge and expertise in the emotional and behaviour change aspects of eating disorders including binge-eating, body-image and weight management and am experienced in Stress Management Training, both in individual sessions and in groups, where I teach strategies and techniques to enable you to deal with on-going stress more effectively.
Our aim when working together will be to build a relationship based on trust and respect. To create a space where you can feel valued, supported and listened to so that you can work through your difficulties at your own pace without fear of being judged, moving towards a place of harmony and balance in your life.
I offer a reduced fee for our first meeting as an opportunity to find out if we 'fit'. I think finding the 'right' counsellor is a bit like shopping for new shoes - you may have to try out a few to find out which are the most comfortable and that's ok! Your recovery towards a pleasurable life depends on finding a therapist you can connect with and trust so I want you to feel comfortable and not under pressure when we meet for the first time.
So, if you're tired of repeating the same unhelpful patterns of behaviour, having the same arguments or just finding life and relationships difficult... let's talk through the options for improving things so that you are free to live the life you want to live.
If you lack confidence or are feeling stressed, distressed, unhappy or anxious and not sure what to do next.... Let's talk..... it's the first step towards finding a place of calmness and fulfilment. Contact me today to make that first appointment - then the hardest bit is done!
Training, qualifications & experience
Professionally, my relevant qualifications are:
- National Counselling Society Accreditation
- PhD in Health Psychology from University of Aberdeen
- MA (Hons) Psychology from University of Aberdeen
- COSCA Counselling Skills 1 - 4
- Scotland's Mental Health First Aid Certificate
I have also undertaken a wide variety of additional counselling courses, training and workshops over the years including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, transactional analysis, solution focused brief therapy and person centred therapy.
About me personally:
I’m local to the Aberdeenshire area I have always enjoyed working with people and have lots of 'real life' experience. I started out fulfilling a childhood ambition with a career in nursing before circumstances led me to the challenge of starting up and running a small business in the oil industry.
Then, in 2002, having successfully dealt with my own obesity issues with the help of counselling, I began my own journey into a career in counselling and psychology where I can once again focus on 'people'. My quest to understand why change can often be so challenging for many of us inspired me to study psychology and health behaviour change at length which led to me gaining a PhD in health psychology, and it can be extremely helpful to combine this knowledge with my counselling experience when I'm working with clients.
At home, I have a grown up family, step-children and grand-children and have experienced all the trials, tribulations, joy and lessons that combining families can bring. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dogs, gardening, travelling and spending time with my partner and family.
Lastly, all of the above said, you are the expert in you and my role is not to tell you what to do but instead to work with you collaboratively, using my experience to help you to understand yourself better and uncover the solutions that you need for you. Working together in this way, we can help you find balance and harmony in your life so that you can achieve your personal goals and enjoy life to the full.
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
British Psychological Society
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
£40.00 - £75.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
First trial 'get to know me' appointment £40
Subsequent appointments £75 per hour session
Couples £75 per hour session
Phobia treatment appointments £90 (usually 90 min)
Phone, Zoom, Skype, Facetime and Whatsapp consultations available.
When I work
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | |||||||
Afternoon | |||||||
Evening | |||||||
Night |
I'm available at Inverurie from 11am - 8pm Mon - Tue, 10am - 5pm Wed - Thurs and in Aberdeen on Friday mornings.
Further information
I am available to provide tailored workshops and presentations including Mental Health Awareness courses at workplaces. Contact me for further details.