I have worked as a school counsellor in both primary and secondary schools and have also worked with young people as they navigate College and University.   Most recently I have been part of a team delivering bereavement support to children and teenagers through talk and play in Edinburgh and East Lothian.

I have developed a way of working with children and young people based on my formal training in person centred therapy.  For me the key to successful work is the counselling relationship, one that is built on the child or young person feeling equal, listened to without judgement or assumption, in a warm, caring and safe space where the counsellor is genuine and can be trusted.

Whilst adults tend to communicate their experiences through talking, the natural way for children to communicate is through play and activity.  Throughout my career I have undergone training to incorporate play and activities into my work and offer children and young people a wide range of creative and visual ways in which to communicate their emotions and feelings.

Through my work I have experience of working with the following.

• family separation

• Children in the care system ( Looked after, Accommodated and in Kinship care ) 

• Attachment issues

• Drug or Alcohol Use ( parental)

• Bullying

• Self-harm

• Friendship issues

• Childhood abuse/neglect

• Depression and Anxiety

• Low self-esteem

• Trauma

 

Please get in touch with me to discuss further , if you wish to refer then I will be happy to meet you and the child / young person to have an initial chat.