Cheryl Thomson - therapist in aboyne-ab34

Contact information

Contact Cheryl

Do not fill out this field

I’ve searched for the following criteria:

Please enter any further information regarding your enquiry, (up to 300 characters).

Please ensure you have included at least one reason in the above boxes to enable your message to send

Name ✷

Email ✷

Phone number

By ticking this box, you consent to this information being passed securely to your chosen therapist. For details of how your data will be processed, see Therapist Directory on the BACP privacy notice *

The information outlined in this listing is not to be used for advertising or marketing purposes.

Features

Flexible hours available

About me and my therapy practice

I offer counselling to young people aged 16 - 25 years old, providing a safe, confidential and supportive space where you can talk openly about what is happening for you. You don't need to have everything figured out before you come to counselling, and there is no right or wrong reason to seek support.

You might come to counselling because you're experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, anger, or feeling overwhelmed. You may be struggling with self harm or trying to make sense of difficult thoughts and feelings, or you may simply know that something doesn't feel right. Whatever brings you to counselling, we can take time to understand what's happening beneath the surface and explore what support might feel helpful.

My approach is relational, collaborative and trauma-informed. I believe that the relationship between counsellor and client is an important part of the counselling process, and I aim to create a warm, accepting and non-judgemental space where you can be yourself. We will work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you, with curiosity and compassion.

I have more than 10 years experience working in mental health support services, including extensive experience supporting people affected by self harm, and developing services and professional training in this area. This experience informs my counselling work, while recognising that every young person's circumstances and experiences are unique.

Practice description

I provide counselling for young people aged 16 - 25 years old, and aim to offer a welcoming, inclusive and respectful space where you can feel safe to be yourself. I recognise and value people's different backgrounds, identities and experiences, and I offer counselling that is sensitive to each person's individual needs and circumstances.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You might be dealing with anxiety, low mood, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, family circumstances, neurodiversity, questions about your identity, self harm or the impact of difficult life experiences. You don't need to have a clear idea of what you want to work on before you begin.

My counselling is relational and collaborative. I won't judge you or tell you what you should do. Instead, we'll work together to explore your experiences, feelings and thoughts, and to develop a better understanding of what is happening for you. I believe that feeling safe, heard and understood is an important starting point for meaningful change.

Alongside my counselling training, I bring more than 10 years professional experience in mental health support, including extensive work relating to self harm. This gives me a broad understanding of the emotional difficulties young people can experience, while allowing me to meet each person as an individual.

My first session

Once you get in touch, I'll send you some information about counselling and a referral form for you to complete. We can then arrange a free introductory call, usually around 15 - 20 minutes.

This is a chance for us to get to know each other a little, for you to ask any questions you might have, and to talk about what has brought you to counselling. It also gives you an opportunity to see how it feels to talk with me, and whether you feel I might be the right person to support you.

There's no pressure to have everything figured out or to make a decision straight away. The call is simply a chance to see how it feels to talk with each other, and to help you decide what feels right for you.

What I can help with

ADD / ADHD, Anger management, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Depression, Health related issues, Identity issues, LGBTQ+ counselling, Loss, Mood disorder, Neurodiversity, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Sexuality, Stress

Types of therapy

Relational

Clients I work with

Adults, Young people

How I deliver therapy

Long term sessions, Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy, Short term sessions, Short-term face-to-face work, Telephone therapy, Time-limited