Allister Murdoch - Counselling for Men

23/09/2025

This is an interesting new directory for finding male therapists. Men are in the minority in the profession and client numbers. It will be interesting to see if any leads come from me listing myself on it.
With new clients few and far between for many of us, other counsellors on here may want to have a look.

Psychotherapy, counselling and mental health support for men, by male therapists. Our directory helps match you with a qualified practitioner based on your needs.

23/09/2025

20/09/2025

Do you live in Europe, Middle/Far East and want counselling sessions via Zoom with an English speaking counsellor? Get in touch with me. Contact me via www.amurdoch.com
I am based in the UK. I have a over 25 years experience as a counsellor and worked with clients online living in many countries in these regions. If you live anywhere from France across to Hong Kong the time difference does not have to pose a problem.
I appreciate it if you can share this.

20/09/2025

🌱Acknowledging that you’re not okay takes real courage, and it marks the beginning of true healing.
Pretending to be fine only delays recovery, but honesty opens the door to growth. By admitting your struggles, you create space for self-compassion, support, and change. That single act of bravery can transform pain into strength.💫

18/09/2025

lol

18/09/2025

17/09/2025

Less than 18% of counsellors' profile pics on the Counselling Directory within 5 miles of Edinburgh city centre that could be quickly gendered as male.
That is lower than the national average which is approx 25%, according to most Professional Organisations.
The reason I have looked is because yesterday I was checking what other therapists were charging in the same area. Apart from the guy who has paid for a top listing in Edinburgh, over the first 100 profiles less than 6 appeared as female.
Leaves me wondering what the impact of the lack of male faces has on potential male clients???????

15/09/2025

Few counsellors work on a Saturday or Sunday. I'm not going to work these days now. Do you work or want clients who want sessions over the weekend? Comment below or send me a message. It's often been a popular time for guys to want to see me. Think of all the professions that can't take a break during their working day and they well be potential clients for you.

15/09/2025

Click below to find out my new working hours. These new working hours start today Monday 15th September 2025. Please ignore the text under the picture. I can't at the minute get rid of it

Working Hours Monday 12noon to 9pm ​Tuesday 12noon to 9pm Wednesday 12noon - 9pm Thursday 12noon - 9pm Friday 12noon - 9pm Saturday 11am until 5pm Appointments can be in person, online or a...

09/09/2025

Very glad to be back after a break on the board as a Trustee of AMIS (Abused Men in Scotland). We are Scotland’s helpline for male domestic abuse victims.

We support male victims of domestic abuse. We are Scotland’s helpline for male domestic abuse victims. Our services are free and confidential. All are welcome to phone or email us. Need to talk? 03300 949 395 Free and confidential helpline9a

08/09/2025

Thank you all for your messages both on and off Facebook since I posted about having a stroke. I did a few sessions last week and everything went very well from my viewpoint.
I'm still in the process of rebuilding my practice. I've a few ideas floating around regarding my working days.
For the meantime, I'm restarting my pre-stroke working pattern. Fortunately, as new clients are still scarce that will not be a burden.
As can be the case despite putting up not available signs up on every directory listing and my own website I got new requests for appointments which I passed on.

03/09/2025

You may have noticed that I haven't posted or been in the office recently. The reason for this is that I have been ill. I had a stroke a few weekends ago. Not a mini stroke. I have been lucky as it hasn't left me physically debilitated. No drooping face, no speech problems, dragging of anything etc as many people understand or experience of a stroke. I was kept in hospital for observation overnight and that experience left me physically drained. I've never been in hospital except for tests. I've not worked since then, except for emailing my clients to cancel appointments and a few extra supervision sessions.
This week I'm doing a few sessions mainly online. I will do two in person with a break between sessions. The doctors told me I could restart work the day after I was let out of hospital. I didn't do that.
I was exhausted as much from my hospital experience as much as the stroke. Inedible food and being woken up by staff in the middle of the night really didn't help.
I've not rushed back although the doctors said I could do if I wanted. For a while. I'm returning slowly.
I'm getting a lot of emotional support from both friends and colleagues. A stroke takes a toll on your mental health as well. I'm being firm in setting boundaries for myself. Particularly around restarting work and managing the overwhelming experience of it all.
One particular area of this is dealing with others reactions when I tell them I had a stroke. My experience has been that many people tell me I should be at home all the time resting and not out at all. This contradicts what the stroke specialist told me to do. I'll let you check this out for yourself.
My approach at present take some more rest and will be to reassess how I want to work. For me this is a work in progress. I was aware that I didn't want to make a knee jerk reaction. I was 65 a few weeks ago and retirement isn't something for me yet.
If we meet in EH1 Therapies or elsewhere I'm okay if you want to check how I'm doing but it's great of you don't limit the conversation about my stroke. Normal professional or small talk is appreciated. If you feel you want give me a big hug please don't. That's too much.

Slowly, slowly rebuilding myself is my plan. I'm hoping to restart posting as usual next week. This is my one post for the week.