Nobody actually wants to see a therapist….
It’s true, I didn’t in the past, but just like a locksmith or a plumber things happen which benefit from professional attention.
As we all learned to talk and communicate, talking about the issues we have should be pretty ‘normal’ right? Unfortunately the type of talking that really helps doesn’t always happen, and that chat to your friend or family doesn’t always reach where it needs to.
So, thats where I jump in. Your family or friend probably don’t know about the vast array of evidenced-based psychological interventions and theories that incorporate your feelings, thoughts and behaviours and ultimately make talking therapy beneficial.
My aim is pretty simple. To make professional psychotherapy more down-to-earth, uniquely relatable, beneficial and most of all… ‘normal’ for you.
You may have been searching through other therapists websites and wondering, “What the hell is multi-modal, psychodynamic, transactional and on and on”. With no disrespect to my colleagues at all, I did, and if like me in the past, you’re maybe thinking, “I don’t care about all that, just let me know if I can trust this guy to know his stuff and help me out of this”.
“What the hell is, multi-modal, psychodynamic, transactional….”
Don’t get me wrong, after overcoming my own issues in the past, I became fascinated, passionate and pretty nerdy about all psychotherapy and psychology have to offer. It’s why I got into this line of work and spent years training to be here now. To be that ‘trustworthy guy that knows his stuff’ that I was looking for.
Despite becoming a bit of a therapy geek, I am still the down-to-earth person I was but now have the knowledge and experience to know that combined with a bit of trust, therapy really makes a difference to your life.
I have a strong belief in the therapeutic relationship and the part it plays in the successful outcome of therapy. It’s why I offer a free initial consultation. After all it’s your investment in yourself and you may feel we just don’t click. That’s not a problem, it can happen! Believe me, I would rather you knew that before we started, instead of hindering a successful outcome.
Recognising we all need support at times in different ways, I believe in uniquely relating my methods in a down-to-earth manner that makes sense to you personally. Although I am fully transparent in our work, I believe you shouldn’t have to worry about the types of therapy being used. It’s my job to work with you as a person, with the psychological theory and techniques in the back burner. Only applying what would be most beneficial to you, your life and your issues.
All done in a comfortable flowing manner to help guide you out of the fog. Of course, I’d happily sit all day discussing therapeutic techniques and psychological theory, as thats the geek in me, but crucially the focus is on you. You as you are in the here and now.
If you do want a bit more info on some of the approaches I use and draw from, please have a look at my treatment page.
There’s a saying, ‘therapy is two experts in a room’. I also believe it is two equals. Both striving for the same goals, working together to make progress. Basically, I have ‘expert’ knowledge and experience of how to help, and you have the needed ‘expert’ knowledge and experience about you.
Ok, it’s never going to be super easy at the start, meeting someone for the first time never is. But don’t worry about that, it’s my job to enable as comfortable a process as possible as we are in this together.
One thing about this job, that I love more than the process of helping people change and grow, is finishing our work together having taught you to become your own therapist! As, what you learn through our work will be applicable to the rest of your life. Yes, you could say I’m doing myself out of work here, but I see this learning as a major part of therapeutic change. Also meaning that, in the nicest possible way, I will never need to see you again!!
“In the nicest possible way - I will never need to see you again!”
My life revolves around constant training and learning. It feeds my geeky passion, benefits me personally and gives you a professional service using up to date practices. Psychotherapy and Psychology are continually evolving and progressing, but thats what keeps it fresh, more effective and I love it.
I also love the 24/7, 365 days a year therapy the outdoors and Scottish hills offer, although this website may have let that out the bag already!
Other than that, I strongly believe in being who I am, no facades, just a See What You Get, down-to-earth guy who has the knowledge and experience to help people. So before this begins to sound like a bad dating profile, I’ll warmly invite you take advantage of a free initial consultation.
I hope to see you soon and we can take things from there.
Training and Qualifications.
Diploma in Counselling and Groupwork - CBT Focused
COSCA Certificate in Counselling
Bsc (Honours) Psychology with Counselling
Theory and practice of Compassion Focused Therapy(CFT) - Compassionate Mind foundation
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) - ACT strategies within your practice - Dr David Gillanders
Working with Trauma - Wellbeing Scotland
Working with Dissociation - Wellbeing Scotland
Living Life with Uncertainty - Mark Freestone
Introduction to Schema Therapy - ACT Andy Gray
Moving your practice online - Online Therapy Institute
‘Dealing with Distress’ - working with suicide and self harm
SMART Recovery training - SMART recovery UK
As a professional therapist it is a necessary requirement that my training is ongoing and continually updated to ensure you receive a safe and professional service.
I also undertake regular supervision as required by my professional governing body and to ensure a safe working practice.
I am an accredited member of the National Counselling Society, NCS20-02438 and strictly adhere to their code of ethics within my practice.
See here for more information regarding NCS ethics and standards. Any complaints may be sent to NCS Complaints Process.
I am also an individual member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. See here for more information regarding BACP ethics and standards. Any complaints may be sent to BACP Complaints Process.
I am Registered as a Data Protection Officer with the Information Commissioners Office. ICO registration no: ZA793107
Any concerns and questions over my compliance with GDPR and data protection which may not be clear in my Privacy Policies can be discussed with me.
Any complaints can be made to the ICO. Complaints information can be found here.
For further information please see my policies section.
