Alexander Arthur

I am a Person-Centred Counsellor.

I believe that by exploring our own internal landscape, we can discover how to live in the world as we really are, to be more secure in our choices, and to relate to others in a way that is engaged and authentic – even in an increasingly chaotic and demanding social environment.

I don't think we can achieve this by following a set of instructions or by applying a specific theoretical framework. I think, instead, that we must allow our own feelings and recollections to guide us towards meaningful growth.

It can be hard to do this on our own. Human beings are built to be in relationship with one another, and the way we communicate within our relationships is intimately tied to how we become aware of our inner selves. We feel most sane when another person is truly willing to stay with us as we struggle to make sense to them.

More broadly, I think I have discovered the creative potential of these 'real conversations’ in many contexts - personal interactions, academic seminars, union negotiations, administrative engagements, therapeutic relationships, and counsellor supervision. I have spent my life learning how to speak, and I continue to learn from every new interaction.

If you would like to meet, I do not charge for an assessment session. These normally take about an hour.

Training, qualifications & experience

MA (Philosophy) 1975

CA (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) 1981

MLitt (Philosophy) 1987

PG Diploma in Person Centred Counselling (Aberdeen) 2016

I worked as an accountant in the oil industry before joining the University of Aberdeen in 1990. While there i was a UCU (University and College Union) caseworker, and also a student adviser.

I served on the Board of Mental Health Aberdeen for many years. I started my formal Counselling training on my retirement from the University in 2011.

My philosophical interests are mainly focused on language and meaning - the role of conversation in discovery and exploration.

I offer a free one-hour assessment session.

I prefer potential clients to take a day or two to reflect on this initial session before deciding whether they would like to meet further.

I work within the person-centred approach to support your development as a counsellor.

I do not make a strong distinction between professional growth and personal growth, as I see these as deeply integrated. Our client work both contributes to and depends upon our own self-actualising processes.

I also have a range of knowledge and experience that I can bring to conversations about the more specific practical, ethical, and administrative issues that arise for working counsellors.

I am a Person-Centred Counsellor.

I believe that by exploring our own internal landscape, we can discover how to live in the world as we really are, to be more secure in our choices, and to relate to others in a way that is engaged and authentic – even in an increasingly chaotic and demanding social environment.

I don't think we can achieve this by following a set of instructions or by applying a specific theoretical framework. I think, instead, that we must allow our own feelings and recollections to guide us towards meaningful growth.

It can be hard to do this on our own. Human beings are built to be in relationship with one another, and the way we communicate within our relationships is intimately tied to how we become aware of our inner selves. We feel most sane when another person is truly willing to stay with us as we struggle to make sense to them.

More broadly, I think I have discovered the creative potential of these 'real conversations’ in many contexts - personal interactions, academic seminars, union negotiations, administrative engagements, therapeutic relationships, and counsellor supervision. I have spent my life learning how to speak, and I continue to learn from every new interaction.

If you would like to meet, I do not charge for an assessment session. These normally take about an hour.

I offer a one-hour initial session, which I don't charge for.

I think it's important to spend this time exploring how we might work together, and whether what I can offer fits well with what you need.

Any agreements we make at this session will be kept under review. Needs (and capacities!) may change in the course of the supervisor/counsellor relationship.