It’s difficult, choosing a therapist. You look at a picture, read some words, and wonder whether I’m the right one for you. Will you be able to talk to me and feel comfortable enough to share some of your most difficult life experiences? I guess the only way to find out is to get in touch with me here at Fairbairn House.

I am qualified in person-centred and psychodynamic counselling (University of Edinburgh). As a person-centred practitioner, I put our relationship at the centre of the work we do together. As a psychodynamic practitioner, I’m curious about how your past has impacted on what’s happening for you now. I aim to establish trust with you from the outset, so you come to experience your sessions with me as space where you can truly be yourself and say anything you want to say – the good, the bad and the ugly.

I’m not going to judge you, I’m going to listen, really listen. Talking about things that are hurting us now, or have hurt us in the past, with someone who is trying to put themselves in our shoes so they can understand what these things felt like, is a powerful experience that happens rarely in life. It is an experience that can lead to a better understanding of ourselves and others. That’s what I’m offering you.

As well as working in private practice in Edinburgh and Haddington, I have been a volunteer counsellor for charities (PF Counselling in Edinburgh and Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support). I work with people aged 16 and over.  I have many years’ experience of working with bereavement and loss but am comfortable working with whatever you are struggling with in your life, large or small. In recent years I’ve worked in a university, training students of all ages and from all walks of life to be counsellors. I also deliver training on how to talk to, and support, bereaved people within companies and organisations on behalf of Cruse.

Writing is one of my passions in life – I was a journalist for 30 years before retraining as a counsellor. I am happy to use therapeutic writing with clients either working with journals and diaries, present and past, or just freeform writing in or out of sessions. Writing ‘out’ our thoughts and feelings helps us to have a conversation with ourselves and clients who have used writing say it extends the therapeutic hour and helps them focus on the work we’re doing together.