Linda Donnelly

This is an unprecedented challenging period that many of us are experiencing. I am aware that this does not stop the need for counselling and for us to look after our mental health. Therefore, I would like to highlight that I offer video appointments. I know we are on lockdown now but even before this people were beginning to self-isolate. Video counselling is a good alternative to face to face counselling, but I understand the interpretation of this. I would be happy to talk through your concerns about using a video over face to face to see if I can help to ease your apprehension. 

I have a real passion and enthusiasm for counselling and feel it’s a privilege that clients trust me to share their experiences of life. Taking your first steps into counselling can be a daunting experience. I understand the trepidation and courage required to make that appointment. My hope is that with the grounded warmth I bring into counselling as well as provisions of a safe space for you to explore difficult thoughts and feelings, I can make you feel more comfortable in your decision. I work in an empathetic, un-judgmental and respectful way. My work is in supporting you on your path to understanding the issues and the feelings that are overwhelming you.

My experience in counselling has been varied I have worked with anxiety, depression, other mental health issues, physical and sexual abuse, relationship issues, family issues, bullying, addiction, difficulty in an educational setting, grief, loss and work issues. I have worked and still work in a few various settings including a mental health organisation, a relationship organisation, an addiction service, a hospice, a College and a University. I am a person-centred counsellor, but I also draw on my CBT training, relationship training, addiction training and young person’s training.

I initially trained as an addiction counselor in 2007. I felt that I wanted to learn a model of therapy that offered more for the clients I was seeing. I decided to complete a post-grad person-centered diploma which I found offered much more empathy and focus on the client's own abilities to heal among other positive attributes. After completing this I thought it might be useful to learn a model that was more solution-focused and so completed a certificate in CBT. I find this works very well for me with clients in that it helps change the thought process and the following behaviors from this unhelpful thinking. I decided I would like to work with a couple but did not felt that I really needed to build my skills in this area. I completed a relationship counseling course with Relationship Scotland. This course completely opened my eyes to working with coupes and really many types of relationships. Finally, I have completed a young person course as I wanted to work with young people. This course was thorough on how to engage young people in counseling.

I have completed a post-grad diploma in Mental Health Science as I really wanted to understand the complete process of having a mental health problem. I have completed an honours degree in psychology which has been helpful in a broad sense of understanding people better.

I like to use all of my learning and as you can see I love to learn as much as possible to help improve my practice. I do not fit you into the model of counseling I have learned but rather fit what models work better with you

In the first session, my job is to make you feel as comfortable as possible as I realise the first session can make you feel nervous. I gather some personal details and I have a simple contract to go through. This just contains details about time confidentiality, time of appointment, the importance of letting me know if you cannot make an appointment. I also have information on what I do with your data to ensure confidentiality and how I keep your information secure.

After this, we can move on to what it is you hope to get out of counseling. This may mean that you have to provide a picture of who is in your life and what they mean to you. Also what part they might play if any in the reason you are in counseling. Or it could mean just describing a bit of background about your reason for coming to counseling.

The most important part for me is to start to build a relationship where I provide a safe space for you to be open about what if going on for you.