About Me
Online and In Person Counsellor and Psychotherapist in Westhill, Aberdeenshire
With over 26 years of experience in the field of mental health, I have had the privilege of supporting countless individuals on their journey towards healing, growth, and self-discovery. My passion for helping others began early in my career when I worked as a carer for adults with learning disabilities. This experience taught me the importance of empathy, compassion, and the transformative power of human connection.
Throughout my career, I have worked in various settings, including residential care, community-based services, and private practice. I have extensive experience in addressing a wide range of mental health concerns, including addiction, stress, trauma, depression, anxiety, and bereavement. My approach to counselling and psychotherapy is integrative and person-centred, tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual client.
I have a particular interest and expertise in the specialist areas of substance misuse and trauma having gained many years of experience across a wide range of services within residential and community-based programs. In addition to extensive work with affected families, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact these experiences can have on an individual's life. I am committed to providing a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to process their experiences, develop healthy coping strategies, and build a strong foundation for recovery.
In addition to my work with individual clients, I also have significant experience in providing critical incident response and trauma support for organisations. I understand the complex interplay between work and mental health and can offer tailored solutions to support the well-being of employees in the face of challenging circumstances. I have provided mental health support and intervention across business and industry including the Oil & Gas Sector, emergency services such as Fire & Rescue Service, and the Armed Forces.
As a clinical supervisor, I am passionate about supporting the professional development and growth of other practitioners in the field. I offer individual and group supervision, providing a reflective space for supervisees to explore their clinical work, enhance their skills, and ensure ethical and effective practice.
Qualifications and Training
- Hazelden Diploma in Addiction Counselling
- BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy
- Accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)
- Accredited member of the Addiction Professionals Association
- TRiM Trauma Risk in Management Response Training
- CPT Trauma treatment for PTSD
- Ongoing professional development in areas such as attachment-based therapy, mindfulness, and suicide prevention.