Self Esteem Counselling in Roseburn, Edinburgh

People come to counselling for many reasons. Sometimes this decision is motivated by a need for change or perhaps having to deal with unexpected change. For others it may be a desire to talk, to understand and be understood. I believe there can be real value in talking with someone who is trained and experienced to listen in a way that allows you to feel heard and understood. I provide a safe and non-judgemental space where we can explore the issues that you want to address.

Hi, I'm Siobhan, a CBT Therapist. I work clients in person in Edinburgh's West End, online or by phone. In our sessions you can expect me to be warm, empathetic, encouraging, non-judgemental and supportive. Clients have described me as friendly, with a calm and easy style. It's a privilege to provide a confidential safe space for people to open up and be heard. Change is always possible. I want to help you discover the tools inside yourself to see things from a new perspective and live a more empowered life. I will be with you every step of the journey to help you reach your goals of growth and change.

It takes courage to reach out for support. We can find ourselves stuck in unhelpful patterns and longing for change. Maybe you feel lost, stuck, anxious, depressed or have low self-esteem? Our work together will focus on helping you move forward in the ways you wish. I am dedicated to creating a space where you feel seen, heard and valued. Experience has taught me how essential the strength of the therapeutic relationship is in bringing about positive change. I believe it is through an accepting and compassionate connection that we can transform our perspectives and the way we relate to ourselves and others in the world.

When we are trying to make sense of our situation or understand ourselves, we may feel we need someone to hear us. It could be something in particular that is causing you difficulties such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low self confidence, bereavement or relationship issues (family, personal or work). Or it can be a feeling of uncertainty, something about how you are feeling isn't quite right. We are all part of an interconnected world influenced by and influencing our relationships and situations. For this reason I give attention to what is happening now, your personal history, life situation and narrative.

Life can be very challenging at times leading to anxious feelings, low self esteem and depression. This can be down to relationship troubles, grief, loss or life traumas. Leaving you needing time to process what has happened and happening for you just now. I offer a calm, confidential space for you to do this. By taking time to find some new understanding and meaning of the situation with you.

If you are suffering from anxiety - depression/low mood - stress - anger problems - panic attacks - phobias - low self-esteem - self-harming - eating disorders - post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, including military) - addiction (all kinds) - obsessions (OCD) - sleep problems - relationship problems, I can help. Difficulties can often be resolved within only a few sessions – sometimes just one – and in this way can provide good value for money.

I have a particular interest in working with anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship issues and attachment issues, but I have also worked with many clients who are struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, loss and gender issues. Furthermore, I have also worked with a number of clients who were either waiting on assessment for, or who had recently been diagnosed with either ASD or ADHD, and were looking for support on managing the impact that these neuro-divergences have on their day to day lives and relationships.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? Life isn't going the way you want? Let's work together to figure out what you need to live the life you desire. When working with me, you can expect a warm, empathetic environment to explore any issues you’re facing. I believe each person is the expert about themselves and my role as a therapist is to be a companion on your journey of self-understanding. My hope is that you can leave our sessions feeling listened to and understood.

Are you struggling with moments of anxiety or going through a hard time you cannot seem to shake off? Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious or numb? Life can be challenging at times, as though nothing will feel right again. Sometimes, it can feel as though life 'should feel good' and you cannot understand why you feel so low. It can feel isolating and lonely to not be able to express to your family and friends how you feel - perhaps this has made you feel 'invisible'. Or others' needs have come first for so long that you no longer are in touch with what you need for yourself and find it hard to truly feel connected with others.

Hello, if you've stumbled on this message, I can only imagine that you're going through a really difficult time. Perhaps you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed or just not quite like yourself and find it hard to imagine a way forward. I understand that it can be challenging to break free from patterns of negative thinking and behaviour, and that's where cognitive behavioural therapy can be incredibly helpful. Sometimes we may get stuck in these patterns, and it can feel like we're tangled up in knots that we can't seem to untie.

Coming to counselling is daunting - I want to eleviate as much of those initial fears as I can - I will never push my clients to speak about anything they are not ready to. My sessions go at my clients pace - I am not the expert in their lives - they are, my clients autonomy is something that I will encourage my clients to explore. Quite often we have the answers and know ourselves what we need to do to change or improve our lives but we need the help to uncover it.  In a world of filters, social media and the insatiable need to always be and want more it is no wonder the children and young people in our lives are suffering.

In our bustling lives, where responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations of career, relationships, and personal growth pull at our every moment, it feels like navigating stormy seas and it's easy to lose sight of yourself amidst the turbulence. Finding a sanctuary for our wellbeing is vital. Imagine a place that's always safe and secure, a haven from the stresses and worries of your everyday life. My speciality is using Transactional Analysis (TA), a form of social psychology that helps you understand your personality, how you interact with others and how past life events could be affecting your here-and-now experience.

Do you often feel a sense of guilt or shame around food? Do thoughts of food become intrusive or overwhelming? Are you often binging or eating until you feel uncomfortable or sick? Perhaps you are fixated on 'healthy' or 'clean' eating? Maybe you 'purge' by excessively exercising, restricting, making yourself sick, using laxatives, or have a history of yo-yo dieting? Perhaps you avoid whole food groups and are often called a 'fussy' or 'picky' eater? Or a combination of any of the above? It sounds like you are struggling with an Eating Disorder!

I am passionate about forming strong therapeutic relationships with my clients to enable us to work in collaboration towards their personal goals. I have worked in psychology services since 2008 and as a Clinical Psychologist in highly specialist teams within the NHS since 2015. I have specialist experience in working with people living with physical health conditions, as well as working with people who are dealing with challenging life stressors. I am experienced in drawing upon a number of evidenced based approaches and tailoring therapy to my clients and their individual needs, goals and values.

From my own life experience & personal development trainings and counselling career, I have a deep compassion and understanding that underpins my work as a therapist supporting people experiencing emotional suffering and difficult circumstances.I have supported clients with many different issues and situations and can offer a wide range of helpful things such as teaching breathwork and visualisations for practising outside sessions. i have extensive experience working with clients experiencing struggles with bereavement, chronic illness, depression, anxiety and trauma.

The last few years have been disorientating, changing us and the world around us. It's no wonder we're feeling more anxious and confused as we adjust and process the last few years. You may find that issues you coped with before are now magnified and more painful. Difficult experiences in your past can resurface and you may feel there is no-one you can be honest with about your thoughts. Perhaps you had an increased workload during the pandemic and are now at the stage of burnout? Whatever you are struggling with, sharing your issues in confidence, at your pace can help you gain the clarity and control you need in your life.

As a CBT therapist I am passionate about how the therapeutic alliance can help a client to explore their feelings about the difficulties they are experiencing in life. I believe that by providing a safe, calm and relaxing space, talk therapy can play a vital role in improving a client's mental health. Together, I work with my clients to identify how problems manifest themselves, put these findings into perspective by guiding them through a process working towards setting new goals, adopting new coping strategies and providing them with the relevant tools to continue to work on improving their mental health.

You may know exactly what you want from counselling or it may just be a feeling that something isn't right. It might be issues arising from the past or events that are affecting you right now - whatever it is, I believe talking about it can make a real difference. Counselling can feel quite daunting at times and I will be there to listen with warmth and empathy; to be alongside you when there are tough times and to laugh with you when life feels a little lighter. Working together, we can explore what's bothering you and perhaps look at other ways of coping with life so you can move forward with confidence and optimism.

Starting therapy may seem daunting at first as we try to make sense of our world, thoughts, feelings and emotions. We might be repeating patterns of behaviour in our present lives due to past experiences and patterns. I want to help you shift mental blocks, untangle complex emotions, resolve issues and reveal new perspectives. Whether it’s self-development, addressing emotional and psychological issues, or processing traumatic events, I will work with you to help you become more integrated in yourself. I offer both online and in-person appointments in the centre of Edinburgh where we will work together to help you achieve your goal.