About me

I work with individuals experiencing communication issues, stress, anxiety, depression, identity issues, bereavement, loss, problems with self-esteem and self-confidence, relationship difficulties, and family-related issues.  I've also worked extensively with neurodiverse people and hold a special interest in working with ADHDers (please see separate section on how I work with ADD/ADHD). 

I am trained in Pluralism, which is based on the assumption that no one therapeutic approach has the monopoly on understanding the causes of distress or on the most helpful therapeutic response. 

Instead, it suggests that different clients are likely to want, and benefit from, different things in therapy. Therefore, I am open to respecting understandings and practices from across the counselling and psychotherapy spectrum. 

Given this emphasis on tailoring therapy to the individual client, a pluralistic approach also emphasises collaboration, shared decision making, negotiation and meta-communication (talking to you about the process of therapy itself)  including what you want from it and how you would like to try and get there. 

I hold unconditional positive regard for all of my clients. 

I am a Neurodivergent competent counsellor

I am a Vegan competent counsellor, holding special awareness of specific vegan traumas

I am an LGBTQIA+ ally

My qualifications include: 

2023: COSCA Counselling Supervision Certificate 

2019: MSc Counselling (with distinction) 

2018: Couples Counselling CPD Training 

2018: PGDip Pluralistic Counselling 

2017: Child Counselling - accredited by the International Association of NLP and Coaching 

2016: Certificate in Counselling Skills 

2012: TQFE, Dundee University 

2002: PGDip in Language and Communication Research, Cardiff University 

2001: MA Honours Linguistics, University of Edinburgh 

CPD Log:

Open University: Online Counselling Course "How to do Counselling Online"

6 hours - 17 September 2023

PCA, Psychiatry and Working with Trauma - Rachel Freeth

2 hours - 9 September 2023

Working with the "I don't know client" - Stefan Charidge

2 hours - 16 July 2023

Thriving in ADHD Relationships - Dr James Brown

2 hours - 2 July 2023

Neurodiverse Supervision - Sarah Haywood

2 hours - 29 June 2023

Autism in Counselling - Erin Stevens

1 hour - 12 June 2023

Jung's Archetypes and Shadow in Stories and Fairy Tales - Kate Williams

1 hour - 8 June 2023

Pluralistic Practice Conference

10 hours - 2/3 June 2023

4th International Conference on​ responding to crisis, disasters and traumatic events

12 hours - 3 September 2022

Professional Body Membership:

I am a Practitioner Member of COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland). 

Membership No. 3614.

Insurance:

I am fully insured with Balens Insurance UK to work with clients and supervisees internationally with the exception of the USA and Canada.

Complaints: 

If you need to make a complaint, you can contact my professional body, COSCA here:

https://www.cosca.org.uk/guidance-policies/complaints/complaints-general-information