Chryso Johnstone

There are a lot of reasons why you might be looking for a therapist. Maybe it is a sense of feeling lost in the world. Maybe you have an overwhelming feeling of weariness or confusion. Perhaps you are finding relationships difficult. It could be that you feel as though you have lost yourself or are confused about who you are as an individual. Maybe you are experiencing the pressures of life and they are starting to feel out of control.

My name is Chryso Johnstone and I am a qualified holistic and integrative counsellor who works under a professional, ethical framework.

What this means is that I accept you as a whole being, including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects. I have been trained in a number of therapeutic techniques and approaches which allows me to treat you as an individual and work in a why which best suits your needs and preferences. Being under an ethical framework means that I choose to work to certain principles and values which ensure your best interests are at the heart of all that I do.

Sometimes you may not be able to put a name to what it is you are experiencing and that’s OK. I am able to work with a wide range of challenges which you might be facing, even if you’re not quite sure what that might be. From anxiety, stress, depression and bereavement all the way through to trauma, clinical diagnosis (including ASD/neurodiversity) and physical health challenges. However, at the heart of it all, there is also a place for the big questions around purpose and identity which can come up throughout our lifetimes.

Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in the healthcare sector which has allowed for experience with, and a good general understanding of, physical health issues as well as conditions such as dementia and acquired brain injury. I have also been closely involved with the education sector, supporting secondary school age students all the way through to adult learners.

All of these valuable experiences, along with my own life journey, have been an incredible contribution to my therapeutic role and have meant that I have had the pleasure of walking alongside those from a diverse range of backgrounds, social contexts, identities, cultures and spiritualities.

If you have decided to try counselling, the idea of a first session can leave some feeling a little worried. Taking that first step to get support and look into what you are facing can take a lot of courage and should not be made light of. Hopefully knowing what to expect can prepare you a little for that initial session.

This preliminary session is usually between 30 and 50 minutes long and consists of me asking what it is that has brought you to look for some extra support. This time can help build a picture of the way in which you see yourself and the world around you as well as who you are as an individual. I will also very likely ask what it is you hope I can do for you and we will discuss this together.

I will give you little bit of an overview of how I work, including aspects of confidentiality, with the intention that you are as well informed about what I am able to offer you before you leave the session to make a decision about if you feel I am someone you would like to continue to work with.

If, after this initial session, you decide that you do not feel as though counselling is for you then that is completely fine. Likewise, if you feel you would like to continue counselling but would like to see a different counsellor I can give you some names of other counsellors or refer you onto a specialist service. There are no obligations and I do not ask you to make a decision while you are in the room with me

As a supervisor I aim to create a robust and authentic supervisory relationship which is built on a secure, co-created, foundation. The hope is that you would feel able to develop into the professional you hope to be. I am committed to helping you become the best therapist you can be while also offering a space to reflect on yourself as an individual who is a practitioner.

I use a range of skills and interventions, drawing from my experience as a therapist, lecturer and supervisor, to provide personalised support, mentorship and counsel that best reflects your individual level of knowledge, understanding and experience.

For established practitioners, supervision can provide ongoing support and development, a space to reflect on challenging cases and complex dynamics. I aim to provide perspective on your work and support you in identifying any blind spots or areas for continued growth.

For those starting out, supervision is a place where confidence can be built, knowledge can be grown and courage can be found through exploration into experiences and learning of counselling and psychotherapy. Using my knowledge as a lecturer/tutor I can offer a good understanding of the academic aspects of training with insight into what is needed to demonstrate the application of theory into practice.