Carrie McColl

For face to face sessions, I work Monday afternoons, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. I do have availability so please do get in touch to see what day and time I can offer you.

For phone or online based sessions, I currently have some spaces on a Tuesday or Friday afternoon.

Hi from me, Carrie, and a thanks for considering counselling with me. How many counsellors profiles have you read this week/month? It’s a big step to reach out for help so finding the ‘one’ is important! I deal with all sorts of issues and clients. Are you worried you might not be ‘unwell’ enough for counselling? That your issues aren’t as bad as someone else’s? Just feeling out of sorts and not sure why? Or are there life challenges to be worked through but not sure where to start? I offer you the time and space to work through whatever is troubling you and we do that at your pace.

Every client has different needs, ways of relating and goals for their therapy. I take all of this on board and aim to work in a way that fits you.

My counselling training focused on the person-centred way of working. This means I believe each person is their own expert and with the right support, can find a way forward that means something to them. I have found that some clients like to have 'homework' to do between sessions- things that can be tried between sessions to continue the therapeutic journey. I can bring in some more prescriptive work such as using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques to work on specific thoughts.

There are lots of skills and techniques I can bring but I think a good working relationship between client and counsellor is the biggest key to change. After all, if you don't feel safe and comfortable with your therapist, there may be challenges in talking about those difficult feelings and situations.

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and to see how you feel in the counselling space with me.

I use this session to complete what I lovingly refer to as the 'boring admin'- gaining the necessary details from you such as address, emergency contact, GP etc. I'll then delve a little deeper to carry out a risk assessment so please don't be shocked if I ask about any risks of harm you may currently have. This is all about the bigger picture, an overview of where you're at so I can gauge how best we can work together.

For you, it's a chance to meet me. To see how it feels to talk about things with me and within my counselling room. And any questions or concerns about the work will always be answered with honesty.