My Approach
I trained at the University of Abertay Dundee where the focus was on an integrative “pluralistic” approach to counselling. What is pluralistic therapy? Pluralistic therapy starts from the assumption no two people are identical and that different people may be helped to feel happier in different ways, and that this is dependent on a variety of factors, such as:
The reason(s) why a particular person feels depressed or dissatisfied in the first place
The person’s particular personality, their background, and their current life circumstances
The person’s strengths and positive qualities
The sorts of things that, in general, have helped that person feel better or worse in their life. Because this therapy assumes that different people need different thimgs the first meeting is an ‘assessment’ session where you can talk a bit about your background, what has made you interested in coming to counselling and what you would want from it. If you decide you want to go ahead and start counselling, and if I feel that I can help you, I will work with you to try and help you identify what may be useful to do. This could include such activities as:
Understanding what has happened to you in the past that might have led you to feel the way you do
Learning to be more ‘yourself’ and less concerned about what others think of you
Learning to think about things in a more positive way
Changing your behaviour so that you do more of the things you enjoy, and less of the things you don’t
Finding ways to improve your relationships with others
Finding more meaning and purpose in your life
Coming to terms with painful experiences, feelings or losses. If we agree not to work together, I am happy to suggest other services that may be more appropriate for your needs. For more info on Pluralistic therapy please click here - http://www.academia.edu/1842624/A_brief_introduction_to_pluralistic_counselling_and_psychotherapy
Training, qualifications & experience
My Experience
I have many years counselling experience and began my training in 2006. I qualified as a counsellor in 2009 and went on to study for my Masters Degree which I completed in 2011 gaining a first class (A) pass. I have been in private practice since 2013 and before that I gained a wealth of experience working for a local charitable agency seeing a wide variety of clients on a one to one basis. I also have experience of facilitating therapeutic groups and teaching counselling skills part time at the University of Abertay. I have specific expertise in working with emotional eating problems and am a trained facilitator of the Understanding your Eating program http://www.understandingyoureating.co.uk/
Qualifications
Masters Degree (MSc) in Counselling (1st class) University of Abertay, Dundee. Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling University of Abertay, Dundee. Certificate in Counselling Skills, University of Abertay, Dundee:
N.C Criminology, Angus College
Introduction to Arts and Humanities, Open University
H.N.D Communications, Aberdeen College
Other Training and Experience
Child S*xual Abuse - Hope for Healing (www.pods-online.org.uk)
Dissociation & D.I.D: The Fundamentals (www.pods-online.org.uk)
Treating GAD and Panic Disorders (mindbodyrecovery.co.uk)
Introduction to TRE (Trauma Release Exercises)
Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy for Shame and Self-Critical Difficulties
Deaf Action - Deaf Awareness Training
Assist, Applied Su***de Intervention Skills Training. Advanced group leader training, Understanding your Eating programme
Group leader training, Introduction to Understanding your Eating programme
Member organisations
BACP
Areas of counselling I deal with
Abortion
Abuse
Addiction
Affairs and betrayals
Anger management
Anxiety
Bereavement
Bullying
Career
Carer support
Chronic pain
Cross cultural relationships
Depression
Disabilities
Domestic violence
Eating disorders
Emotional abuse
Family issues
Infertility
Low self-confidence
Low self-esteem
Miscarriage
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Passive aggressive behaviour
Physical abuse
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Pregnancy and birth
Redundancy
Relationship issues
Self harm
Separation and divorce
S*x problems
S*xual abuse
S*xuality
Spirituality
Stress
Suicidal thoughts
Terminal illness
Work related stress
Other areas of counselling I deal with
For those struggling with emotional eating problems I can offer the Understanding your eating (UYE) programme on a one to one basis. UYE is a psycho-educational approach to emotional eating problems which was devised by Professor Julia Buckroyd. I have been fully trained by Julia to offer the programme and have extensive experience delivering this programme both in groups and in a one to one setting. I also have experience of delivering counselling via Skype and am happy to discuss this option with you if you find attending sessions difficult at all. Telephone and email sessions are also available. Guided by the client and their unique requirements I draw from the following therapeutic approaches and theories in my Pluralistic framework:
Attachment theory and inner-child work
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Compassion Focused therapy and Mindfulness approaches
Neuroscience of trauma
Psychoeducational approaches
Person-centred therapy
Psychoanalytical and psychodynamic approaches & Transactional analysis
Fees
Payment per face-to-face/Online/Telephone sessions £45 per hour
Couples £65 per hour
Professional consultations for therapists new to private practice are also available, please email for further details. Fees are payable by cash or bank transfer typically on a session-by-session basis at the end of each session. I understand it can be difficult sometimes to find time for counselling between work and other commitments therefore I aim to be flexible in terms of availability and will endeavour to provide a time, wherever possible, which best suits us both. Duration
Each session is 60 minutes. Between us we will decide how many sessions you may like to start out with. It is often helpful to check progress approximately every 4 sessions so that we can evaluate where we are in terms of your goals and your overall satisfaction with the counselling and decide from there how best to proceed. Location
I have my own tranquil garden office in a central location in Montrose, Angus. Close to the town centre, parking and local amenities. Further information
Supervision
As part of my commitment to counselling I receive regular monthly supervision from a trained Supervisor. One of their important roles is to ensure I am working ethically at all times and to maintain professional standards. Click the link below for more information about the role of supervision
http://www.counsellingme.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/What-is-supervision.pdf
Client Testimonials
"I look backwards over life in a much more, well, clearer manner; I can see a lot more patterns of behaviour more clearly, I would say its opened doors of understanding of past history" (Male client)
"First of all I don’t criticise myself now, I don’t wake up in the morning and think “oh my god you look horrible!” now it has changed - I smile more, even if I look in the mirror I smile and I think it’s easier now to go through the day "(Female client on the Understanding your Eating Programme)
"The world revolved...just chocolate all round really and now the chocolate is further away and I'm just a real person and so yes it’s there, but it’s not controlling me” (Female client on the Understanding your Eating Programme)
Please feel free to get in touch and I will be happy to arrange a no-obligation telephone consultation to help you decide if counselling is right for you. You may also like to make an appointment for an initial consultation to discuss your concerns and find out how I might be able to help.
