About me
I have 15 years of experience as a psychotherapist working with students, university staff and the general public. Currently working on my final year of my PhD in Counselling & Psychotherapy from Edinburgh University, where I have also taught trainee therapists and remain active in counselling research, contributing to arts-based research in counselling and psychotherapy.
Recently gave up teaching the PG Certificate course in Counselling & Psychotherapy and supervising a number of MSc students at The University of Edinburgh, as a permanent member of staff and also gave up my role of occupational health counsellor at St Andrews University.
I have a private counselling practice in St Andrews where I now concentrate on my work with you online or in person. I also facilitate workshops for staff at St Andrew's and Dundee University on the following: Neurodiversity, Menopause, Dealing with Difficult Behaviour and Mental Health Conversations and Support.
I gained accreditation with BACP in January 2019 to give evidence of my experience and professional and ethical practice. In addition to my teaching qualification, I gained COSCA Trainer certificate for teaching counselling in 2021.
My counselling training is in person-centred and psychodynamic counselling from The University of Edinburgh and this allows me to work with each client to explore the root of unwanted behaviour, patterns, negative thoughts and feelings of stuckness. However, we can simply stay in the present and bring to each session what feels important to you on that day, I will facilitate and support your thoughts and emotions in a person-centred approach. The key to change is often by focusing on a therapeutic working relationship where clients can gain a deeper insight into emotional problems and difficulties and move forward in their lives without being judged - My experienced role aims to do this.
I work with the general public, university staff and students. I also use my experience as a mother of four aged 17-39 and my experience of working in the third sector, education and private sector over 35 years to inform my practice. The therapeutic relationship can empower each individual to work through their difficulties and make changes where necessary. I have experience with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, loss, identity, sexuality, gender relationships, change, redundancy, career change, menopause and neurodiversity.
I believe no one should suffer in silence and talking therapy has many benefits to improving mental and physical health, relationships, concentration, confidence and generally Living Life to The Full.
- MSc Dissertation: 'Anxiety in Education - Neurodiversity and Counselling'. (2016). The University of Edinburgh
- PhD: ''The Lived and Embodied Experience of Mothering with ADHD' -Completion 2026. The University of Edinburgh.
- PG Diploma in Career Guidance: Napier University, Edinburgh
Training, qualifications & experience
- PhD in progress - expected completion 2026
- COSCA Trainer Certificate in Teaching Counselling
- BACP Accreditation 2019
- MSc in Counselling: The University of Edinburgh (Merit) 2016
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, the University of Edinburgh (Distinction) 2010
- Diploma in Teaching in Further Education - Fife College, 2013
- Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance - Napier University, 1999
- Counselling online
- CBT Toolkit
- Short-term Focussed Therapy
- Attachment Issues for Students, Young People and Adults
- Therapy Online
- Mindfulness
- Counselling Law
- Putting the person into a personality disorder
- Specific Learning Difficulties in Adults
- Understanding Self-Harm
- Alcohol and adolescents
- Understanding Self-Harm: Children and Young People
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Working with Loss and Suicide
- Mind or Body - What's In Charge
- Coaching for Counsellors
- Working with Identity in times of transition - A Coaching Approach
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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.
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
£55.00 per session
Additional information
How to get started
- 50 mins: £55.00
You can find me at 3 Slotline Business House, Largo Road, St Andrews, KY16 9TY. This is a private office building with a buzzer system and small waiting area.
Working Days in the office: Monday afternoon/Evening and all day Tuesday/Evening. Online work also available.
Note that online sessions can allow more flexibility.
Most clients will aim to meet once every week or fortnightly to get into a rhythm of a working relationship.
You can email me with any questions or arrange a time where we can chat over the phone 07977 531 901.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Email, text or call for appointment availability. NOTE: I can also work with you on TEAMS or telephone if you prefer.
Further information
For an informal chat, please do email and we can arrange this at a time convenient to both of us.
