Who am I?
I work as I try to live: without judgement, with genuine care and concern for the people I meet. I believe that everyone, whatever their history or circumstances, has the capacity to live a meaningful and satisfying life.
As a counsellor, my aim is to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly. I believe that when we are able to look at ourselves with honesty, compassion and acceptance, we can begin to understand what is holding us back and move towards a more fulfilling life.
For me, counselling is about creating the space for that process to happen. I see it as a collaborative journey, where you remain at the centre and we work together at a pace that feels right for you.
I have a particular interest in the stories people carry with them and the ways in which our past experiences, relationships and ways of seeing ourselves can continue to shape our lives in the present.
My approach is integrative, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches and adapt the way I work to the individual person sitting in front of me.
At the foundation of my practice is Person-Centred Therapy. I believe that empathy, acceptance and a genuine therapeutic relationship are central to creating an environment where meaningful change can take place.
I am also particularly interested in psychodynamic ideas and in exploring where difficulties may have come from. Looking at past experiences and relationships can sometimes help us understand patterns in the present and make sense of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that may otherwise seem difficult to understand.
Where it feels helpful, I may also draw on elements of Narrative Therapy, Transactional Analysis (TA) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
Above all, I believe counselling should be collaborative. You are the expert in your own life, and my role is to listen, help you explore what is important to you, and support you in finding your own way forward.
I am committed to continuing my own professional development and to developing a counselling practice that is thoughtful, compassionate and responsive to the needs of each individual client.
Before training as a counsellor, I worked internationally as an English teacher in China, South Korea and Italy. Originally from Canada, I moved to Glasgow in 2014.
Since moving to Scotland, I have worked in theatre and completed a doctorate in Creative Writing. My creative background continues to influence the way I work as a counsellor. It has taught me to listen carefully, to appreciate different perspectives and to remain curious about the complexity of people's experiences and stories.
I am also a recent cancer survivor and a father of two girls. These experiences have further shaped my understanding of the challenges that life can bring and the importance of having space to talk openly about them.
I am particularly passionate about supporting clients with:
