Who am I?
I have had very varied life experiences resulting in a mature and stable approach to therapy. This gives clients a safe and secure space to explore their own challenges. My clients use the words ‘ kind and compassionate ’ to describe me and I feel privileged to be instrumental in their journeys towards healing and flourishing.
My training in integrative counselling allows me to draw on various models to suit the individual needs of the clients. The psychodynamic approach helps clients make sense of their past life experiences and how these influence current behaviours and thought patterns.
The client remains at the centre of the process in a positive and non judgmental space in the person-centred approach. I use tools from positive psychology to help clients flourish in their own individual identity. I also use my clinical understanding of trauma to help clients understand its impact on their psychology and physiology then to empower them to combat its negative effects on their lives.
I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling and a Diploma in Clinical Supervision, both Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) accredited. The latter allows me to offer clinical supervision to counsellors, which forms a significant part of my work.
I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) as a practitioner and I adhere to the BACP code of ethics, along with their requirement for ongoing continuous professional development (CPD) and for regular personal external supervision.
I am approved to work with vulnerable people through Disclosure Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
Encountering clients who have suffered trauma has led me to study this area in some depth and, as a clinical scientist, I have a good understanding of the effects of trauma on the brain and body as currently understand by neuroscience.
Much of my adult life has been spent overseas in a variety of locations, I have a personal and deep understanding of cross-cultural issues and a lot of my current work is with global organisations including NGOs, charities, missionaries and gap-year students.
“I was allocated Cynthia to be my supervisor during my student placement. Cynthia brought a wealth of knowledge, appropriate challenge, kindness and has held me beautifully as I navigate my way through my first placement as a therapist. She is a gift as a supervisor and a joy to work and learn from. Thank you Cynthia!”
