COUNSELLING SERVICES

COUNSELLING FOR ADULTS

Have you been wondering lately if you should get support? Have you been trying to get by or cope and while you may be managing the day to day, the background stuff continues to build up? You may have been coping for months, years even, and with growing awareness of things which happened in your past causing you distress. Or maybe there's areas in your life now which don't feel right but you feel scared about change or stuck where you are. You may have been suppressing things for too long and now finally, you're open to new ways of living. 

As a result of living like this, you may be feeling exhausted, highly strung, depressed, anxious, quick to lose your patience, struggling to keep on top of things, experiencing relationship difficulties, or simply unable to feel fulfilled.
I get it!
The build up can have immense impact on our lives. The long term impact of living like this can be extremely harmful and as much as you know this, you just don't know where to start in going about changing things. 
Well, if you're at a point in wanting to invest in yourself and give yourself the best chance of finally healing and processing your experiences, then I can be your ally in your journey towards healing and growth. I can help to create a sense of understanding and hope for you when you need it the most. Working together, we can learn to understand your feelings and experiences, bring compassion and tools to the fore, and find new ways of being which will help bring about changes in your life.
Working with me in this deeply personal way can be transformative, allowing you to feel more empowered in your choices, to create peace in your mind, your body and in the life you lead.

We can meet online each week or if you're local to me in Dunbar, we can meet for counselling outside. Online gives us a consistent and confidential place to explore your journey each week. Counselling outside gives us the chance to make the most of the beautiful surroundings, use nature to our benefit and gives us the ability to try out some grounding techniques in the moment (please read on for more information about counselling outside).
No matter how you decide you want to engage, we will usually use person centred talking therapy, as well as possibly; trauma informed ways of working, bodywork and somatics, mindful practices, be attachment focussed  and we can use creative ways of working including art, words, music, or other personal interests to you. 

I work with all areas of difficulties and although some additional specialities are listed above in the intro, the most important factor in counselling with me is the way that we will be together. Counselling is relational and we will collaborate together to find your unique path forward. 
I usually find myself working with people who have 'coped' for too long, pushed things aside and are in need of support and safety to open themselves up to real healing. If this sounds like you, then we may be the perfect fit. You don't have to be alone and there is a way forward!

COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Whether you are a young person seeking support, or if you are a parent/ carer looking to find the right support for a young person you are concerned about then I may be able to help you.

Our teenage years can be some of the most enjoyable but can also be some of the most challenging periods of our life. While support from loved ones can often be a comfort, it may not always be quite enough. It's at these times that counselling can be really helpful. I can offer young people a welcoming, non judgemental and confidential place in which to explore the complex emotions that come with moving through adolescence. With help to express themselves and learn about what is going on, it becomes possible to find ways of doing things a little differently which can help young people make changes and start to feel better. 

Sessions will be adapted to suit each individuals needs. We can meet online each week or if local to Dunbar, we can meet outside and do walk & walk.
We can chat through things together or we can use creative methods such as; writing or drawing or even making something together like a memory box or dream board. If we are outside, we can do stone stacking, walk through the trees or local open spaces, sit and put our feet in the sand or even practice grounding techniques in the moment. Read on to find more about therapy outside. 

Each young person is different and I think it's important they feel comfortable expressing themselves in any way they wish.

Some common themes that often come up in counselling are; friendship and relationship difficulties, anxiety, worry and stress, anger, depression, low self esteem and confidence, bereavement, family breakdown, issues surrounding weight, sex or sexuality and harmful behaviours such as self harm or substance misuse. All challenges are welcomed in counselling.