LGBTQ+ Affirming Counsellors in Edinburgh, SCT

Whatever your reasons for being here, you are very welcome. I provide a very safe and confidential space to people from ALL walks of life. Whatever difficulties you are experiencing I can help you to gain insight into why they exist and persist. Psychodynamic therapy helps you to bring that which is unconscious into conscious awareness which helps you to understand and resolve internal conflicts that cause suffering. These internal conflicts manifest as, for example, anxiety, depression and self-destructive behaviours, particularly in relationship with others. Psychodynamic therapy is effective in enabling life long change.

I am UKCP registered Gestalt psychotherapeutic counsellor. I have completed a 4 year course in Gestalt psychotherapy in Edinburgh Gestalt Institute between 2013-2017. I am fully insured and as a member of GPTI and UKCP I subscribe to their codes of ethics. I continue my professional development through participating in advanced psychotherapeutic workshops, trainings and courses.

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 am a warm and empathetic Qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, who is passionate about supporting individuals to make positive, personally meaningful and long lasting changes to their lives. Through our work together, you will be supported to identify and break free from unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns that maintain your difficulties, in order for you to feel more in control of your present and future and live the life you desire.

Your relationship matters! Are you struggling with relationship, marital or family issues? Are you wanting to improve or enhance your relationship? Perhaps you’re both at a crossroads where your future as a couple seems uncertain? Maybe you’re considering separating or divorce? Are you feeling hurt, disconnected, stuck, anxious, frustrated, angry, lonely, misunderstood, overwhelmed, sad or scared? Are you struggling to communicate, connect, manage conflicts or difficult emotions, heal from loss of trust or an infidelity, establish or maintain healthy boundaries, manage family issues or adapt to change, life events or transitions?

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. 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.

I have 30 years experience giving counselling, I’ve been a specialist NHS eating disorders therapist, addictions therapist, CAMHS therapist, Adult mental health clinician and counselling manager. I’m neurodivergant informed and developing a government counselling service for Special schools. There are many reasons why people come to counselling, we all struggle at times and may experience anxiety, low mood, loss or find life harder to cope with. It’s scary to ask for support, I understand this, I grew up in a family with complex needs and this experience is the compassionate basis for my work, bringing a deep understanding.

In-person and online. I offer down-to-earth counselling & psychotherapy and welcome people from any background, gender, race, status or culture who are looking to find support and make a change to how they feel in their life.

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.

I offer a safe space for clients who might be struggling with life situations or want to work on self awareness. My main interest as a therapist is to accompany my clients in a process of self discovery that inspires growth.

Anxiety, perfectionism, and self-criticism; this triple combo of hurt can stop us from going after the things we really want in life. We can find ourselves trying to distract ourselves from the uncomfortable fear of failing, opting out of things we want to do out of fear, and getting caught up in thoughts about 'what ifs' and 'maybe' until we feel frozen. Or we might push ourselves to the point of burning out seeking the validation we only find when we achieve something driven by a fear of the day we are not good enough. If your sense of self-worth has become tied to 'doing' rather than simply existing, I may be able to help.

Hello, my name is Rachel Gray, and I would be delighted to offer you therapeutic support. I offer both short and long term therapy for adults, young people, and children in central Edinburgh. It can feel daunting when you make the decision to find a counsellor; to acknowledge, even just to yourself, that you may need some support to work through a current or historical difficulty. Having 4 teenagers myself, I understand as a parent how hard it can be navigating the difficulties children and teenagers face. With younger people, I tend to work more creatively as talking therapy can be quite scary on its own for younger clients.

The first session is an opportunity to hear what brings you to therapy. We will assess the level and impact of the difficulty you are facing on your life, which will create a baseline that we will use later to monitor progress. We will then focus on finding out what you would like to gain from our work together. Often, clients know what they do not want, but identifying what they would like to change is harder. My role is to help you with that. Studies show that awareness of your needs is the first crucial step in the process of change

You may be facing difficulties with how you feel, for no particular reason, or from a known cause. It could be historical or it may have just arisen for you for no known reason. Are you looking for a safe place to look at and explore what is happening for you? I offer a space where you can make sense of what is happening.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming- the process of acknowledging our need for healing can require a whole lot of courage by itself. That’s said, Hello, I am Jen, whatever has drawn you to this page today, Welcome. I see my role as a therapist as warm, compassionate sounding board, for you to create connections, explore your history, and understand your present at your pace. Alongside that, we are building a trusting therapeutic relationship where we can show up and be valued and accepted as our full, sometimes messy human self.

I am a CBT therapist and I can help you if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, low self esteem, relationship problems, addictions and many more. Maybe you would like to cope with your emotions better or make decisions more consciously and live with less fear? Maybe you want to be more compassionate or more self- confident, or think about how to reach out for what you consider important and valuable? If you have decided to reach for therapy, it may mean that you are already tired of avoidance and anger, and you feel that you want to look at your problems from a different perspective and learn new skills.

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.

After a decade in the UK, including Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, I now call Montpellier home. My diverse living experiences help me offer tailored support to expatriates and those navigating different cultures. As a therapist, I prioritize inclusivity, especially for the LGBTQI+ community. Fluent in French and English, I provide in-person (in Montpellier) and online therapy. As a trained Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga teacher, I take a holistic approach, supporting individuals with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship challenges. I welcome supervisees and art therapy students.

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience, specialising in providing compassionate and down-to-earth therapy. As a bookworm, rock-climber, and cat-Dad, I understand the importance of connecting on a personal level. Therapy with me is a journey focused on compassion, resilience, and understanding. I believe that your story is central, and together, we can navigate through challenges or nurture the positives in your life. I work with a wide range of clients and have expertise in stress, sadness, worry and couples work. I offer a tailored approach to suit your unique situation.