LGBTQ+ Affirming Counsellors in Edinburgh, SCT

I am a person-centred counsellor who primarily works with members of the LGBTQ + community. While mental health issues can be a huge barrier for anyone, for LGBTQ + people these issues can be magnified. Often LGBTQ + folks struggle to feel understood, to feel heard, and can suffer social isolation as a result. Coming out, again and again, to ourselves, our friends, our partners all while finding one’s true sense of self, can be a lifelong mission. My outlook on counselling is based on compassion and honesty, and I work to foster an environment where collaboration and discourse are encouraged, working with you to get the best outcomes.

Many of my clients seek out my services after past attempts at therapy have proven unsuccessful and end up finding relief within only a few short weeks. I often hear these horror stories from clients about having been to multiple therapists, who "just listened" and "didn't really help" them to work through anything. As a therapist, I want to ultimately give you the tools you need to be able to work through stressful situations when they arise, rather than merely listening. Many have described my approach as "no bullshit", "direct" and empowering. I know how tempting it might be to simply give up, but let's get you back on track.

I am very skilled and experienced in working with mental health issues such as Depression and Anxiety, as well as addictive behaviour and related issues such as trauma. I have been a mental health professional for 45yrs, both as a Mental Health Nurse and as a BACP Registered Therapist. I have also survived my own life issues, including addictions and have been sober for 25yrs. I feel that having professional qualifications as well as lived experience helps me to make a stronger connection with my clients

Only with knowing yourself as you are and the root of your distress can you make positive changes. Person or client-centred therapy is a talking therapy based on the view that everyone has the capacity and underlying desire for personal growth, given the right conditions. As a therapist, I embody and offer such conditions of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence in order to help you come to terms with any negative or overwhelming feelings and to change, develop, and grow in accordance with the best interests of yourself.

We are all unique individuals, so it makes sense that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. I aim to provide a non-judgmental and compassionate space for individuals of all flavours to work through their difficulties. Gender and sexuality may not be the reason you are seeking therapy, but I understand the significance these parts of you may play in your life. Therapy should never be a place where you feel the need to watch what you say or educate your own therapist about who you are. Therapy is time for you.

What happened to us, doesn't have to define us. The narrative of our issues can be transformed in something different. A healing story that can give you empowerment and freedom. Maybe you are dealing with anxiety, depression, anger. Maybe you are looking for happiness or you feel you are lost. Or maybe, you still don't know what's missing. Regardless, I understand it's important for you to know how to cope, where you want to go in your life and what really matters to you. Finding and/or redefine your personal story, that fits your own true self, may give you the answers you are looking for.

We all live in a world that is more than complex to navigate, personally and societally – one that’s full of challenges putting pressure on our identity or our relationships. It is natural for this to make us feel anxious, depressed, alienated, hostile, withdrawn or numb. These are very human responses, and simply mean we have thoughts and feelings. Coping mechanisms, as unhelpful as they might be in the here and now, typically had a very important purpose at one time. This is often one of the reasons why someone seeks counselling in the first place.

Looking for a therapist can be a daunting experience, especially if things are tough for you right now, but you have taken the first step! I have experienced many times, both as a counsellor and personally in therapy, how people begin to feel less burdened and overwhelmed in their life when they feel really heard and accepted without judgement or criticism. I believe that the counselling relationship is a collaborative and dynamic process, and I am always receptive to feedback, as it can shape the dynamic between us. I feel that therapy can be proactive, and not just reactive. I have no expectations on what we speak about.

Counselling is your confidential space to talk. You may be seeking clarity on an issue, or want to explore things that are overwhelming you, and if you wish, make changes in your life. I hope that by talking to a professional during these difficult times can bring peace. I offer a safe space as we unravel together the aspects of you that are struggling or stuck. And help you to find new perspectives to deal with living the way that you want to live.

Do you find it difficult to talk to those closest to you about your issues and concerns? Perhaps you don’t want to burden them or feel worried that they might judge or not understand what you are going through? I provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space in which you can explore your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to understand more about yourself and your relationships with others. As an integrative counsellor, I work with a variety of therapeutic approaches and methods, and combine them to suit the needs of each individual client.

Hi there :) Are you looking for support around coming out? Transitioning? Questioning your gender, sexuality or another aspect of your identity? Recovering from experiences of harm? Or perhaps need a safe space where you can feel understood and respected so you can get on with talking about what's going on for you? When we are unable to (safely) be our authentic selves we can experience great stress, anxiety, low mood as well as other challenges. Counselling and an exploratory listening approach such as the one I practice can really help to improve self relationship, reduce distress and isolation & increase well being.

Welcome. I am a qualified counsellor and chartered psychologist with years of experience working with individuals and groups. I offer psychotherapeutic counselling online and in Edinburgh and Southampton. Apart from counselling, I have over 27 years' experience of university teaching and research in psychology, which has enriched my practice. I can help with relationships, personality issues, cultural adjustment, identity, anxiety, bereavement, stress, gender, sexuality, self-esteem, life transitions and existential crisis.

I have experience working with many different presenting issues, including anxiety and depression. I am interested in building a safe and supportive relationship with you in order to allow your unique experience and ways of being to be explored. I have an inclusive practice, valuing all clients and welcome those from all walks of life.

*Narratives of Us* Values: Compassion - Hope - Wisdom - Clarity. I offer down to earth, jargon free talking therapy from a highly qualified Clinical Psychologist for people who may find themselves sort of stuck, lost, turned around, unrooted… or maybe in need of some space and time to find the right direction. Equally, it can be a place to grow and kindle the things already going well in life, after all, you made it this far! I believe that the person is not the problem, the problem is the problem. I also specialise in couples work, families & gender diversity.

Are you tired of feeling anxious? Depressed? Struggling with a difficult situation? Therapy is an investment in yourself. Being unconditionally accepted in a reliable and judgment-free therapeutic relationship can enable great change in your life. It would be my privilege to support you in whatever challenge you are facing.

With a diverse background in community psychological services, NHS secondary care affective disorder services, specialist eating disorder services, and NeuroDevelopmental Disorder services, I possess a wealth of experience in addressing a wide range of issues, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, emotion dysregulation, borderline disorder, bipolar disorders and trauma. I aim to tailor treatment to meet the specific needs of clients, rather than requiring clients to adapt to a pre-determined model.