Liz Mackenzie

I am available on Monday and Friday mornings.

I work mostly In Person, but am happy to work remotely if it's logistically easier.

I work with adult clients in a way that combines the skills and theories of my core Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training with the more Psychodynamic approach of my Couples Counsellor training. I enjoy doing short term and long term work with both individuals and couples.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps us to become aware of our unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour and how they impact on our mental health, quality of life and relationships. It has been said that awareness is the ante-chamber for change. Once we have awareness of our unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, we can learn to make different choices, break these cycles and learn more fulfilling ways of being. I use a lot of psycho-education which means educating people about how their mind and brain work. My hope is that in working with me, my clients will learn skills that they can use again and again when life gets difficult.

My Couples Counselling Certificate course with Relationship Scotland used a more psychodynamic approach, which means bringing our unconscious processes into our awareness and helping make sense of them, particularly in the context of how we relate to others. This approach is very useful for understanding Couple dynamics and discovering the true nature of ourselves. 

I have a decade of experience as a therapist, including working with people who are suffering from the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) including addiction issues, abuse, neglect, violence, suicide of a family member, bullying and trauma. ACEs can lead to huge difficulties in adulthood including chronic anxiety and depression, attachment insecurity low self esteem and relationship issues.

I also have a wealth of experience in helping couples and individuals who have diagnosed and undiagnosed neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and autism to live the most fulfilled lives that they possibly can.

As well as an assessment, the first session is a chance for us both to decide if we are a suitable match and are happy to work together. Choosing a counsellor is a really personal thing and it's really important that you feel comfortable with whoever you choose to work with. During this first session I will have some paperwork to complete with you and there will be time for for you to ask any questions and tell me what you're looking for.  We will discuss how the counselling process works and sign a working agreement if we agree to continue to work together.