I have worked as a pluralistic, trauma informed psychotherapist for the last 14 years. I have special interests in dissociative disorders,neurodivergence, addiction, adoption, working with people of minority groups, the LGBTQ community and people in non- traditional relationships.
About me and my practice
I offer a safe, professional, non-judgemental space to explore the issues which you want to explore. I am interested in you as a whole person and understanding the environment that you live in or have had to survive. I believe I am warm, relaxed and have a good sense of humour. At times, when its necessary, and it definitely is necessary at times, I can swear like a trooper!
I trained as a psychodynamic/ person centred therapist in 2003 and have been self employed since 2012. I take ongoing learning very seriously and regularly update my skills in my stated areas of interest. My work is strongly influenced by my understanding of Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal theory, Somatic processing and the work of Peter Levine.
I provide a warm, environment using creativity, safe boundaries, and a non diagnostic approach. I focus more on increasing our awareness of symptoms, attachment and relationship styles, core beliefs, body memory and listening to our inner dialogues etc than limiting people to diagnoses like (BPD/EUPD etc).
Experience
I have worked with people who have experienced trauma, for at least the last 30 years. I have worked in educational settings, residential settings and with people of all ages with learning disabilities.
I am currently self employed working from a home office, both in person and online. I work with people from the UK and abroad.
I enjoy using the creative arts (music, piano, art, walk and talk in nature, somatic movement, creative writing, meditation, role play) to allow people to access their emotions in which ever way feels appropriate and comfortable to them.
Qualifications
Diploma in Integrative Counselling 2011 COSCA
Diploma in Counselling 2005 ACC
PGCE
BA (with Merit) Edinburgh University 1995
Additional Information
I have attended recent CPD courses on the following topics:
- ARFID (BEAT) March 2024
- Dissociative Disorders (in house training run by CDS and Nanette Boon) May 2023.
- Rainbow Therapists Annual Conference. Jan 2023
- The therapeutic uses of Kink Jan 2023.
- Working therapeutically with sex workers Jan 2023.
- Chem sex (Silva Neves) Feb 2024.
- Counselling couples (Esther Perel) Nov 2023
- Group Facilitation (Greenwood Events). August 2022
- Intuitive and Disordered Eating ( Greenwood Events).May 2023.
- Attachment theory and the therapeutic relationship (Greenwood Events). December 2021
- Emotional Neglect (Pesi, Nov 2021)
- IFS Training (Pesi Frank Anderson, May 2021).
- Working with Psychiatric Drugs (BACP) November 2020.
- Working with Bereavement and Complex Grief (BACP June 2020).
- Working with Neurodiverse clients. (Greenwood Events 2019).
Professional Membership
MBACP (accredited)
Professional Register
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Verified by Counsellingo on Wednesday, 27 March 2024
Initial Consultation
I live 30 minute bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh, in Midlothian on the 31 bus route. There is ample parking outside my house. I work on the first floor.
I am open to working face to face, online, or walk and talk therapy along a cycle path from outside my house.
Fees
Fees are £60 per 50-60 min session, payable at the point of booking or one week in advance.
I always have a small number of concession rate appointments. Please feel free to ask for this.
When I Work
I work Mondays to Thursdays during the day. My last session of the day is usually at 5.30pm.
Therapeutic Approach
Integrative, trauma informed.
Video Platforms
Whereby, Zoom, WhatsApp video.
Additional Languages
BSL Level 2
Pronouns
She / her
Area
Midlothian
