Elspeth Johnston

I currently have availablity on Mondays between 10am and 2pm

Thursdays at 10am, 11am, and 3pm

Hi and welcome to my page, my name is Elspeth and I am a qualified Child Psychotherapist and  Child and Young People’s Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I work with children, teenagers and young adults. I have over 10 years experience of working with children in a music teaching role and 6 years experience in a counselling role.

As a therapist, my approach is that each person is individual and has unique reasons for accessing therapy therefore I always provide an environment that is individual to the person, and take time to tailor work to each client’s needs. 

Qualifications and certificates held:

Diploma in Child Psychotherapy

Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Child and Young People Counselling.

BSc (hons) degree in Social Sciences.

Safeguarding Awareness, Level 3 (2024)

FAA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (2025)

 I understand that coming to therapy can be daunting and a very brave step, therefore I offer a space in which client's can explore and personally grow, and remain safe. I recognise that therapy is not a fix all solution but a tool in self growth. 

I have experience with a range of presenting issues such as anxiety, depression, school related anxiety, family breakdown, bereavement, OCD, self harm and associated behaviours, suicidal ideation, eating distress and attachment issues. I also have worked extensively with young people who are either awaiting neurodiverse assessments, or have received diagnoses of ADHD, autism or AuDHD.

My Practice:

My approach is integrative and incorporates psycho dynamic and person centred relational therapy. Underpinning my practice is my knowledge of Transactional Analysis theory. I also draw on my knowledge of attachment, trauma and child development to inform my practice.

Working with children:

As a Child Psychotherapist, I have experience working in a school setting, private practice and a charity. I am able to be adaptive with children and young people and explore the issues bringing them to therapy in a calm, safe and explorative setting. I use creative therapy methods with many young people such as sand tray, puppets, clay, art and play therapy as a way to meet them developmentally and relationally. I can exclusively work creatively or incorporate a mixture of creative and talking therapy. I understand the increasing pressures facing young people today and seek to understand the world from their perspective, offering a supportive space in which they can explore their challenges.

I know how important it is for parents and carers to feel supported, I therefore offer to meet all parents and carers involved and explore the challenges that affect the wider family. I believe this is beneficial for the young person as I recognise how important the role parents and carers play in the development and wellbeing of their children.

The first session is usually with parents/carers, and involves an assessment of the issues and the life history of the child, sometimes the young person can attend this session if appropriate. During this session, working contracts will be discussed.  The second session is then attended by the young person and we discuss how we might work together and what goals are hoped for from the therapy.

For adults, the first session will be an assessment of issues and history and then contracts will be discussed.

Therapy sessions are always 50 minutes in length and I work in person and offer online sessions also.  

I ask for a review after the initial 6 sessions, to see if as your therapist I am the best fit and whether therapy is still currently the best option for you.