Hello and a warm welcome to Aberdeen Bespoke Counselling

A Counselling service I have created to be flexible for you and address your own individual needs.

I am a trained Person Centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist who works with adults over the age of 16.

Life can be challenging for us all at some point and can push us to our limits. We all can struggle to cope and feel weighed down by life issues. I will be there to support you in a non-judgemental, safe and compassionate way that suits you best, and plan to work together towards your goals – whether that may be to make a change in your life, looking for validation, contentment, peace, happiness or simply to regain your self-worth and confidence again. Or it may just be you are looking to share your story…

I can help with a wide range of difficulties such as depression, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety, loneliness, suicidal thoughts, stress, work-related stress, self-harm, low self-esteem / self-confidence, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, trauma, childhood emotional neglect, burnout, bereavement, bullying, individual relationship difficulties, family issues. I am particularly passionate around issues relating to neurodiversity such as ADHD or Autism and I am experienced in working with those who are currently facing or recovering from Narcissistic abuse or any form of gas lighting. I deeply understand the importance of slowly building your confidence and regaining a sense of identity after having experienced this type of abuse.

I have also volunteered as a counsellor at an Aberdeen charitable organisation for a number of years. This charity supports the community on issues such as homelessness, unemployment, education / learning and mental health. I have always felt it a privilege that clients share their lives and experiences with me, and therefore fully understand the need and importance of confidentiality to each and every client.

 

Some examples of recent training:

2020
• Relational Depth in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Existential Contributions to Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Bereavement, Loss and TA Workshop
• Counselling online: A Coronavirus Primer
• Understanding post-traumatic Stress
• Working with Dissociated States of Self in the Therapeutic Relationship
• CBT Practitioner Certificate online – (ongoing)
• Goals in Therapy: Actualising Our Deepest Directions
• Trauma informed care and responding to sexual abuse disclosure
• Transactional Analysis 101
• Working with Shame in the therapy room

2021
• Talk Safe, Plan Safe – A Suicide Prevention Training
• Working with and supporting autistic and neurodiverse clients
• Personalising Psychotherapy - Mick Cooper
• Effective Anger Management tools for working with men - James Hawes
• Counselling the LGBTQ+ Client
• Complex Anxiety
• 7 Keys with working successfully with men in therapy - James Hawes
• Client Assessment
• Understanding Bipolar Disorder
• Mood and Food - The Connection
• Introduction to working with adolescents
• Living Life To The Full - Dr Chris Williams
• Self-care with Motivation

2022
• CBT for Self Esteem
• Working With Dissociative Disorders in Clinical Practice - Carolyn Spring
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Autism - Anytime Training: Understanding Behaviour - AUSome Training - Autistic Behaviours adults and children
• Child Sexual abuse: Hope for Healing - Carolyn Spring
• Attachment Theory and the Therapeutic Relationship

2023
• Working with ADHD - Training Course
• Cults (High Control Groups): what they are, how we can spot them, and how we can reduce harm
• Relationships workshop
• Autism Acceptance - 6 wk Training Course
•How the Body Holds Trauma & Chronic Stress Creating Blocks to Change
•Living and Working with Neurodivergence
• Breathwork for Healing Trauma

2024
• DAWN - Helping Professionals work with Autistic Adults - 6 Month Training Course by AUSOME
• Understanding Adult ADHD - 6 WK Intensive Training Course - Dr Alex Conner
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (ADHD) Course - Dr Alex Conner
• How to manage your clients Overwhelm

Training and Qualifications:

Diploma – Person Centred Counselling – Aberdeen University
Certificate – COSCA Skills 1 - 4 – Rowan Consultancy
Diploma – Human Resource Management –Robert Gordon University
BA – Human Resource Management – Napier University

Professional Memberships:

BACP – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - Registered Member
COSCA – Scotland's professional body for Counselling and Psychotherapy - Individual Membership

And can also be found on the Ausome Directory as a Neuro-affirming Counsellor - www.ausometraining.com/ausome-directory/

Supporting my Clients

I am here to help my clients better face and cope with their problems, explore issues together and empower and motivate in whatever situation they may be facing. I support clients in understanding their emotions and feelings and look into patterns of behaviour which may be holding them back in other aspects of life. I strongly believe in being flexible regarding the client’s specific needs and may also use various therapeutic approaches and techniques so that the client can obtain the maximum benefit from the sessions.

Working towards your goals

I understand for some, counselling can feel extremely daunting but I will do my best during our initial session to put my client at ease and alleviate any concerns. I am there to support clients in a non-judgemental, safe and compassionate way that suits the client best and plan to work together towards their individual goals – whether that is to make a change in their life, work on self-improvement, self-awareness, behavioural patterns or come to terms with a past or present experience/situation. Whatever the reason, I will offer the respect and understanding that everyone deserves.

 

Professionally Accredited

I have a Diploma in Person Centred Counselling, and a Certificate in Counselling Skills. I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and Scotland’s professional body for Counselling and Psychotherapy (COSCA). I am committed to ongoing professional development and recognise the importance of attending training regularly. I have a number of years experience volunteering with a local counselling charity.

Outside of the Office

Outside of office hours, I enjoy spending time with my friends, family and the four-legged members of the family. Wellness and self-care plays an important part of my life too: I like to walk, swim and do Pilates. I also practice mindfulness – I find it’s a great way for me to deal with the demands of day-to-day life and on occasion helps to slow me down.