"What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? "
Mary Oliver
About Me
Counsellor in Perth, Scotland
I am a registered Counsellor/Psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy with a Masters Degree in Counselling
I work with Adults, Children and Young People ( 12+) on an individual basis.
Before becoming a Counsellor I was a Primary teacher for 30+ years, and also have experience working with NSPCC, Childline, Children’s Hearings Scotland – and other volunteering roles including Independent Advocacy. All of these have given me experience, insight and knowledge of working with adults and children in difficulty.
As a counsellor...
I welcome you into a safe space -separate from your everyday life and your relationships, with an open mind and interest in what has brought you to this point in your life. I have a deep commitment to this work and will offer encouragement and support while you explore whatever is troubling you.
When we are going through distressing life events, we can experience many different feelings and thoughts which can be difficult to manage. Often we can resolve these issues on our own, however, sometimes things can seem more complex and confusing, and we may need additional support to find a way forward. At times like these, we may consider counselling to help us work through some of the difficulties we are facing.
Counselling is..
a way of responding to a wide range of human needs. Although the reasons which bring people to counselling are varied, what is common is that people seeking counselling feel distressed, confused, uncertain, unhappy or in turmoil. You may know what is troubling you or may have a sense that something is not quite right.
It can be difficult to decide which counsellor to choose and whether he/she will meet your needs. For this reason, I recommend that we have a free initial chat for around 20 minutes on the telephone or online, before agreeing to arrange further appointments. Within this first session there will be the opportunity for you to ask questions and to determine whether I am the right counsellor for you.
I am...
trained as a pluralistic counsellor – which means that when we are working together, I’ll use different approaches, depending on your goals and preferences. I believe there are many ways open to us to help us make the changes we need for us to discover how to live in a more satisfying and resourceful way. I see you, and I respect you as the expert in your own life. My aim is to create a facilitative, safe and supportive environment where you can explore whatever you wish without fear of judgement or criticism.
Counselling is not about giving you advice; instead, through our work together you will find yourself ready to make the choices – and the changes - which will work best for you.
What issues can counselling help with?
I have experience in working with a wide range of issues including the following:
Abuse
Addictions
Anxiety
Bereavement
Depression
Eating Disorders
Living with Life Changing Illness
Loss and Change
Low Self-Esteem
Personal Growth and Development
Recovery from Childhood Abuse
Relationship Difficulties
Self-Harm
Sexuality
Trauma
Work Stress
Sessions & Fees
I am based in Perthshire, Scotland, which is easily accessible from areas such as Crieff, Blackford, and Perth - and further afield. I offer face to face, telephone and online sessions. I also offer “Walk and Talk “ sessions in a lovely woodland park.
Sessions are £70 , and each session lasts 50 minutes. Generally sessions are weekly, however we can discuss how often we meet and explore what best suits your needs. I have a limited number of reduced cost spaces for counselling students and those on low incomes/benefits. Please contact me if you would like to know more about this.
Payments are made by bank transfer on the day of the appointment. If you wish to cancel an appointment I ask for at least 24 hours notice, otherwise the fee for the session will still be due.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to discuss the reasons you are thinking of coming to counselling, whether it could be helpful for you and whether I am the right therapist to help.
You can also call me on 07703167744 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
Confidentiality is an important factor in counselling as it allows you to feel comfortable talking about things that really matter to you. This means that I will not share what we discuss without your permission. There are some rare exceptions to this and I am happy to discuss these with you within our first session. Please note - If you are a parent/carer of a child in difficulty, I can have that extra initial chat with you regarding what I offer, but thereafter it will be confidential as I work with the Young Person.