Lynn Murphy

Hi, I’m Lynn, and I offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through my private practice, Sunny Souls Therapy.

My approach is warm, practical and collaborative. I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable enough to speak openly and when we work together to understand not only what you are experiencing, but what may be keeping those difficulties going.

CBT looks at the connection between our thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in patterns that once helped us cope but now negatively affect our lives. Together, we can identify these patterns, understand them, and develop practical ways to respond differently.

I work with adults experiencing a range of difficulties including anxiety, stress, depression and low mood, low self-esteem, overthinking, panic, OCD, phobias, social anxiety, trauma-related difficulties and PTSD, anger and emotional regulation, addiction, recovery and behaviour change.

Addiction and recovery are particular areas of interest within my practice, supported by my professional experience working within addiction and recovery services. I understand that recovery can involve much more than stopping a substance or behaviour. We may explore triggers, emotions, coping strategies, relationships, routines, relapse prevention and adjusting to life in recovery.

You do not need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what you want from therapy. You may simply feel stuck, overwhelmed or tired of repeating the same patterns.

We can start with where you are now and work from there.

Sunny Souls Therapy is a private CBT practice offering face-to-face appointments in the Alloa area and online therapy.

When you first come to therapy, we will take time to talk about what brought you here, what is happening in your life right now, and what you would like to be different. You don't need to arrive with everything worked out.

From there, we can agree on the areas you would like to focus on and work at a pace that feels manageable. Sessions are collaborative and focused on helping you develop greater understanding, alongside practical strategies you can use in everyday life.

My aim is for you to feel listened to and respected without judgement. Therapy can involve exploring difficult experiences, but it can also involve recognising strengths, noticing progress, and building confidence in your ability to cope with challenges.

I work with adults aged 16 and over and welcome both self-referrals and appropriate professional referrals.

I am a Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and my practice is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework.

If you are considering CBT but are unsure whether it is right for you, you are welcome to contact me to discuss what you are looking for before arranging an appointment.

Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin to understand what brought you to therapy. I know that meeting a therapist for the first time can feel a little daunting, so there is no pressure to arrive knowing exactly what to say or where to begin.

We will talk about what has been happening for you, how it is affecting your day-to-day life and what you would like to be different. I will ask some questions to help me understand your current difficulties, relevant background and what you are hoping to gain from CBT.

We will also begin to look at how your thoughts, emotions and behaviours may be connected and identify any patterns that could be contributing to the difficulties you are experiencing.

The first session gives you an opportunity to ask questions about CBT and how I work. It is also important that you feel comfortable working with me, so we can discuss what you need from therapy and whether CBT feels like the right approach for you.

From there, we can agree on some initial goals and a way forward together. We'll tailor therapy to you rather than follow a one-size-fits-all approach.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before your first appointment. We can start with where you are now and work from there.