Scotlandtherapy Psychotherapy Hypnotherapy Edinburgh Midlothian

About Me
I have been in practice as a professional psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, counsellor and coach since 1993. I have worked in Scotland, Wales and England (including Harley Street). Currently I work in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
 
I am an integrative therapist, which means that over my many years of practice I have dedicated myself to lifelong learning, adding more and more tools to my therapy toolbox. This means that when I have an initial assessment meeting with my client, I can then draw on a range of options, choosing the therapy tool for the individual client's problems. Often different methods, such as counselling and coaching, are integrated together within a session. I will also often give "homework" to clients, sometimes self assessment CBT sheets, meditation exercises, or perhaps a hypnotherapy or relaxation recording. This enables a more smooth progress for clients, and helps to ensure improvement is "out there" in the "real world", and not just inside the clinic room!
 
My specialty areas are Bipolar management, depression management, anger management and working on resistant cases that have not previously responded to counselling. I also assist people with the stress of conditions such as NEAD and dyslexia. I frequently work with couples, persons in abusive relationships, and persons moving on from abuse.
 
As a CNHC registered hypnotherapist I provide a full range of hypnotherapy services according to National Occupational Standards. I do not provide smoking stop sessions at the moment, preferring to work on more complex issues.
 
As a NCP and NACHP registered psychotherapist and counsellor I also provide general counselling and emotional support in addition to the above specialties. I am trained in psychoanalysis, integrative, person centred, TA, Gestalt and many other models.
 
As a SHTC and CTHA registered life coach and complementary therapist I also provide emotional and lifestyle coaching, integrating various models of therapy that I have studied and learned over my many years in practice. I have a particular interest in using eastern psychology methods within a clinical psychotherapy context. I often use meditation, mindfulness, Morita, Naikan and Satori. As a 5th Dan Martial Art instructor I also occasionally integrate breathing exercises, or Tai Chi and Chi Gung exercises where appropriate.
 
I have trained in a number of ways over the years -  vocational qualifications such as NVQ and ASET, University courses and modules here in the UK, Industry diploma and certificate courses, and Theological courses that have informed my use of eastern psychology methods. I am dedicated to ongoing university level and professional training as part of my ongoing professional development.
 
I am also involved in training other professionals, having written 12 professional training courses, 10 of which are externally accredited as vocational awards at levels 4 and 5. I am also a Senior Professor of Studies at the Interfaith Seminary USA, where I head the alternative psychology department.
 
In the first instance, drop me an email. You can ask any questions you like and have an informal and free confidential discussion of your needs before ever booking a session. Once you book the first stage is an assessment meeting where we complete some forms, I carry out a clinical interview, and we commence with some counselling based discussion. From this meeting we plan a potential plan of therapy for your needs, and you can decide whether I am the therapist for you (or go and think about it naturally).
 
Once you decide to go ahead, each session is booked, and can be cancelled or rearranged with 48 hours warning. You can leave therapy at any stage you choose, although naturally we prefer to chat about this first where possible. We adhere to appropriate National Occupational Standards and codes of ethics, and carry full insurance. I have a female colleague to refer to if a female therapist seems more appropriate for you.
 
Costs vary between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and concessions apply for low income, students, benefits claimants, therapists, nurses and GPs.
 
Edinburgh is the main base and it is fairly easy to arrange an appointment there. Glasgow is our secondary base and it may take a week or so to arrange your first appointment if visiting there.
 
No testimonials are listed online since this is strictly forbidden by some of my professional body codes of conduct and ethics as a breach of confidentiality and ethics. My professional standing, registrations etc can be verified online.
 
I look forward to hearing from you, Stuart.