Counselling in EH8

Harper Clinical Psychology is based in Edinburgh and managed by Dr Alison Harper. Alison has over 20 years’ experience of working with a wide range of mental health issues. Also working in the practice with Alison are 6 psychological therapists who offer assessment, formulation and therapy, offering a flexible and collaborative approach to addressing mental health issues. Our website www.harperclinicalpsychology.com gives a more detailed view of our services.

Living with a visible or invisible long term illness can impact on your thoughts, feelings and behaviour and affect your relationships, wellbeing and ability to function. I’m comfortable having difficult conversations about health and medical conditions, treatments, symptoms and the effect they have on your mental wellbeing. Psychological support can help you manage these challenges and get on with living a good life. Psychological support can also be helpful when you are receiving medical care or surgery. Collaborating with me before and after you have medical treatment or surgery can maximise your coping strategies and recovery.

Hello, I'm a Pluralistic/Integrative counsellor with a passion for supporting people to overcome their difficulties and improve their wellbeing. Do you sometimes feel unheard, misunderstood, or overwhelmed? Do you ruminate on past events or struggle to communicate your wants and needs? Do you wish you could get on track with your emotions and enjoy life more? Would you like to make sense of things and manage daily stress? In my practice, I strive to create a space where insight, solutions, and growth, can be cultivated.

Are you finding life emotionally challenging in some way? I offer specialist, confidential, specifically tailored therapy for clients based on each individual's own unique needs and circumstances. I have undertaken extensive training in a number of psychological treatment approaches which means that I am able to use a pluralistic approach to therapy and treat a variety of difficulties including anxiety, depression, low confidence and self-esteem issues, relationship problems, stress, phobias, anger problems, body image, self-harming, abuse, trauma issues and more.

I offer therapy to individuals and couples facing difficulties with their relationships, life and career choices. I believe communication, or lack of, is often at the root of many problems. It can be difficult to express our feelings and often we don't feel that we are heard or understood by the the important people in our lives. It may be that you have low self esteem and find relationships of all kinds difficult. You may be scared or perhaps you don't feel valued or cherished in your relationship. I will help you to explore the reasons behind this and work with you so that you can become the person you would like to be.

My approach to working with clients is honest, genuine, straightforward. I am gentle when required to be and direct and challenging when I’m needed to be. I am warm, engaging and have a great sense of humour! We will work together to make you more self aware and able to find a way forward .

Kiedy jest nam źle, zazwyczaj chcemy aby było lepiej. Może nas coś boli albo martwi albo przeszkadza nam pewna sytuacja i chcemy, aby było inaczej. Wtedy zastanawiamy się co zrobić, jak rozwiązać nasz problem. Jako psychoterapeutka pomagam ludziom rozwiązać ich problemy poprzez rozmowę. Mam w swoim arsenale różne metody i sposoby poruszania trudnych tematów, aby ułatwić mówienie o nich, aby było emocjonalnie bezpiecznie, ale również konkretnie i skutecznie. Zależnie od problemu, z którym się zmierzasz, zaproponuję counselling albo psychoterapię.

Whether it's the persistent worry, the weight of sadness that's hard to shake, or the confusion and frustration within relationships that keeps you from enjoying life, I can offer a space of acceptance and a compassionate ear. If you think you'd benefit from sharing your thoughts and feelings without the worry of being judged, in a space where your struggles are met with understanding and empathy — let’s work together to untangle the challenges you face and build a life that aligns with your dreams and aspirations.

Are you finding it all too much? Stressed out? Not sure which direction to take? Or maybe you are struggling with isolation or lack of confidence in social situations? Maybe you are dealing with being neuro-diverse (ADHD or autism) in a neuro-typical world? Perhaps you want to be more your authentic self or make a transition in your life? Are you trying to cope with a difficult situation such as grief, loss, illness, caring or a break up? In all these situations I can listen to you, support you and help you to find ways forward.

I work with people who find it difficult to know who they are, what they want from life, and to motivate themselves to take actions. I also work with people who find it hard to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with others, who struggle to give and receive love. I am also experienced in working with trauma and loss. My practice is informed by psychodynamic, person-centred and existential theories. I aim to provide warmth, respect and acceptance while helping you to gain a better understanding of your personal history, your experiences, and to find meanings in your existence.

I am open to working with clients of all genders aged 25 and over. My interest based focus is on sexuality, personality development, sexual trauma, and relationships. I prefer to work with clients who have not found success with other therapists, and High Impact Individuals. If you’re taking on a difficult challenge and struggling to find your way, look up my number.

In my practice, I work with people who find it difficult to know and express what they want. I also work with clients who have experienced loss, trauma and displacement and therefore lack a sense of safety and belonging. I am experienced in working with people who find it challenging to regulate their emotions and fall into uncontrollable outbursts of confusion, anger, terror and worry. Finally, I specialise in working with individuals who struggle to form and sustain satisfying relationships and so suffer from feelings of worthlessness and emptiness.

As a therapeutic life coach & mental health practitioner with 20+ years of experience, I help young adults in transition, university/college students, and of all ages overcome anxiety, depression, and emotional disturbances. With degrees in psychology, social sciences and social work, I bring expertise and understanding to every client. My extensive background in the National Health Service and private practice make me a reliable guide on your journey to mental wellness.

Sometimes life is difficult and you want something different, a change for yourself. Therapy is a space where we can share our stories, our histories that influence the person we are, the suffering we may experience. Through this process, we can develop new insights into what has shaped us as people. I offer a safe, empathic and confidential space where you can explore, without judgement, your story and any personal difficulties you are experiencing. I will work with you, in your rhythm, to help you deepen your awareness of your experiences, thoughts, and embodied feelings.

I am an experienced Counsellor / Psychotherapist. My main training is in a humanistic approach and I have added further training over my many years in practice. I have lots of experience across many areas of therapy and client issues but perhaps some of the main issues that I have worked with include Anxiety, Depression & Trauma. I have also worked with many people who have experienced long term abuse both as children and as adults. I have some specialist training in working with Neuro diverse clients and have good experience with Autistic individuals and those with ADHD. I also offer relationship therapy and work with couples.

In the busy pace of today's world, it can be difficult to find the time to sit with our thoughts and feelings. It can also be challenging to lay them out before someone else or to speak from the heart without fear of judgement.

"The effort to become human is among the very few things in a person's life that may over time come to feel more important to him than his personal survival" (T Ogden 1997). I am a professionally qualified and experienced psychodynamic psychotherapist, counsellor and supervisor. I have undertaken extensive continued professional development which has included training in the Dynamics of Attachment in Adult Life; Therapeutic Assessment; Infant Observation and Therapeutic Supervision. I have a particular interest in the relationship between shame and trauma.

Have you had a recent difficult experience? Or maybe you are going through something painful just now? Perhaps you feel stuck and unable to move forward? It can often be difficult to understand feelings such as anxiety, overwhelm, panic, distress, fear, immobilisation, anger or sadness. Working collaboratively with you, at your own pace, I can help you process your feelings and faciliate a deeper and compassionate understanding of your current situation. In exploring and talking about both your present and past experiences and memories, I can offer you a safe and calming space to help you move forward.