Roslin Macdonald

I work on a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am till 7pm.

I am the Clinical Director, Counsellor and Owner of MAC Counselling Limited. I am a highly experienced Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor. I am a Registered Member of BACP and a Registered Practitioner Member of COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland). In addition to my counselling role I am an experienced Life & Business Coach. I have worked with a variety of clients who have managed to turn their lives around as a result of Counselling or Coaching.

‘Who am I?’

What an interesting question!

Friends, colleagues and clients would say I am ‘passionately curious, highly intuitive, warm, empathic, like a dog with a bone, down to earth, inspiring, insightful, straight talking and funny’. Generous words!

I on the other hand experience myself as ‘a happy, loving and intensely curious woman, passionate about people and constantly seeking knowledge, wisdom, mastery and connection’. 

These two very different answers reflect that I cannot truly know who I am unless I allow myself the joy and the pain of being in relationship – irrespective of whether it is intimate, social or business in nature

I believe that I offer my clients a unique, relaxed, empathetic yet professional relationship in order to help them to understand and accept who they are, while giving them tools and strategies to manage the many challenges that they may be facing in life. 

Often when someone picks up the phone that is the most courageous part of the process – it’s a huge step in itself.

It is usual to feel anxious when you first come to see a counsellor – anxious about what they will be like; what is expected of you; how you might be helped; how long it will take; or even if you like the counsellor. Anxiety is absolutely normal, you are about to explore the most intimate details of yourself so you’ve got to trust and like the person who is sitting in front of you.

The first session is usually an ‘assessment’

We will start by asking what has brought you to counselling.

Once you have told me why you are seeking help, I may ask you why now? Once you have told us a bit about why you are there it is likely that we will ask some questions about your life.

These questions are usually about your birth family, your relationships with your parents, siblings or any other carer, your current family members such as husband / wife / separated / divorced, children, etc.

Although the questions may often seem irrelevant to your current situation, they are important pieces of information for us in formulating a diagnostic picture of you. This also gives us an idea of how to help, how long it may take and what direction the therapy is likely to go. 

During this process, you will, of course be making note of whether you like your counsellor; whether you like the way they work and whether you think you could work with them. Without actually being able to form a therapeutic relationship, the therapy/counselling will not work. For this reason, we usually end the first session by asking whether you have any questions for us.

Last but not least, we will discuss the terms and conditions of our work together so that you know how to get hold of us in an emergency, our cancellation policy, times when we work, etc. Cost is also something that we will discuss at the first meeting. 

I have a Diploma in Clinical Supervision and a Diploma in Counsellor registered with BACP and COSCA. I have extensive experience in a variety of counselling settings and have worked with a wide range of people of different ages, social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

My training is integrative which means that I draw upon a range of different therapeutic models when working with Counsellors.

I am able to offer individual or group Supervision to qualified counsellors as well as those in training.

Supervision is there to reflect on client work as well as provide an opportunity to gain greater confidence in understanding the therapeutic relationship. The relationship between the Counsellor and their Supervisor is fundamental and I would work to ensure that I developed a good, honest, open framework with the supervisee.

I would be happy to meet with prospective supervisees for an initial exploratory session to get a feel for how we might work together.

My approach in supervision is to offer a professional, sensitive, respectful and enjoyable experience that feels safe to explore anything. I want to be able to actively support your professional development. 

The first session is usually an ‘assessment’ for both.  This will allow us to explore with you what you are looking for in a Supervisor and whether we can work together.  My experience has shown that a good supervision relationship can be invaluable in my counselling practice.