Nicola MacGregor

What I enjoy most about my job as a counsellor is working with adults who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences. These adverse childhood experiences can leave us with feelings of inadequacy, low self esteem and anxiety. They can also go on to affect our choice of relationships with others in adulthood and often leave us feeling that we are not good enough, and low self confidence, or that we constantly have to meet the needs of others, before our own in order to feel accepted, or loved.

In the counselling work I can help you explore your own adverse childhood experiences, what emotional needs you may have needed, but never got and now, as the adult how you can give these needs to your younger self. This involves self acceptance, self compassion and re-aligning yourself with what is right for you. This inevitably gives you the power to choose for yourself and live life with your own needs right at the centre. This might sound far fetched, but experience with others, and myself tells me that this is absolutely do able.

My promise to you is that I will give you the space to feel heard, seen and important, and with the freedom to express yourself in whatever way is right for you. The joy that I get, is to see you grow into all that you never knew you were. 

How do I practice?

Good question and one I have reflected on. Personally, I know that I have hugely gained personal growth in a relationship where I have felt that I have not been judged, been accepted in all my ways and still felt respected and valued (even when I could not do this for myself). With this reflection, I realise that I work in a less formal manner where I can be myself and with the hope of helping you be yourself - not necessarily the 'version' of yourself you might feel you have to portray to others. In our counselling work together I would encourage you to 'come as you are'. With no expectations, this will always be enough. 

What can you expect from me?

From myself, you can expect a friendly, approachable individual who is committed to our work together. You can expect acceptance  and honesty as an equal in our work. I can at times think 'out the box' and may use other creative means such as stones in our work together. Experience has shown me that this can help express emotions when we feel we do not have the words to capsulate our feelings. I appreciate each persons autonomy and privacy, our work together is confidential and you can rely on my professional obligation to adhere to this. Giving you the assurance that you are in a safe working environment. 

I appreciate that taking the first step in your counselling journey can be daunting and difficult. Our first session together will give you the opportunity to make sure that I am the right counsellor for you, or not. On meeting one another we will agree on our working contract together and make plans for future sessions. 

What I enjoy most about my job as a counsellor is working with adults who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences. These adverse childhood experiences can leave us with feelings of inadequacy, low self esteem and anxiety. They can also go on to affect our choice of relationships with others in adulthood and often leave us feeling that we are not good enough, and low self confidence, or that we constantly have to meet the needs of others, before our own in order to feel accepted, or loved.

In the counselling work I can help you explore your own adverse childhood experiences, what emotional needs you may have needed, but never got and now, as the adult how you can give these needs to your younger self. This involves self acceptance, self compassion and re-aligning yourself with what is right for you. This inevitably gives you the power to choose for yourself and live life with your own needs right at the centre. This might sound far fetched, but experience with others, and myself tells me that this is absolutely do able.

My promise to you is that I will give you the space to feel heard, seen and important, and with the freedom to express yourself in whatever way is right for you. The joy that I get, is to see you grow into all that you never knew you were. 

I would describe myself as someone who places importance on the centrality of my relationship with a client. I believe in people, and it is my experience that when a client is held in a safe, trusting, and empathic relationship their capacity to explore past experiences is enhanced, the unfinished business and unresolved issues from their past and the influence they have on the present helps them to move forward.

I am adventurous, courageous, and determined with an inquisitive element to my personality. Being like this I thrive on the challenge of gaining insight into patterns of behaviour which can affect life and living. My focus in my client work is to offer acceptance, honesty and to develop understanding for each unique individual.

I would describe myself as someone who places importance on the centrality of my relationship with a client. I believe in people, and it is my experience that when a client is held in a safe, trusting, and empathic relationship their capacity to explore past experiences is enhanced, the unfinished business and unresolved issues from their past and the influence they have on the present helps them to move forward.

I am adventurous, courageous, and determined with an inquisitive element to my personality. Being like this I thrive on the challenge of gaining insight into patterns of behaviour which can affect life and living. My focus in my client work is to offer acceptance, honesty and to develop understanding for each unique individual.

Initial meetings can feel daunting for new clients, this is why I ask you (the client) to fill in a contact form. This not only helps myself assess your need and my competency, it can also start your counselling journey before you have even met me. On our initial meeting we will discuss your contact form, giving you the opportunity to gauge whether I am the right fit for you, and you for me. It is important that you feel comfortable in my company. It is important to me, that you feel an equal in our working relationship and I am always interested to hear from you, what your hopes and expectations are from the counselling work. We will discuss and agree on the working contract, and how the future sessions will look ie time and dates. This first session will also allow space for any questions you may have regarding the counselling work before be mutually agree to work together.

It is also typical of me to be curious of your childhood upbringing/experience on our first session, if you are comfortable with this. This helps gives me a wider perspective on who you are as a person, it also provides you with the opportunity to share your story with me.  

Work Monday 9-7pm

Friday 9-7pm

What I enjoy most about my job as a counsellor is working with adults who have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences. These adverse childhood experiences can leave us with feelings of inadequacy, low self esteem and anxiety. They can also go on to affect our choice of relationships with others in adulthood and often leave us feeling that we are not good enough, and low self confidence, or that we constantly have to meet the needs of others, before our own in order to feel accepted, or loved.

In the counselling work I can help you explore your own adverse childhood experiences, what emotional needs you may have needed, but never got and now, as the adult how you can give these needs to your younger self. This involves self acceptance, self compassion and re-aligning yourself with what is right for you. This inevitably gives you the power to choose for yourself and live life with your own needs right at the centre. This might sound far fetched, but experience with others, and myself tells me that this is absolutely do able.

My promise to you is that I will give you the space to feel heard, seen and important, and with the freedom to express yourself in whatever way is right for you. The joy that I get, is to see you grow into all that you never knew you were. 

I would describe myself as someone who places importance on the centrality of my relationship with a client. I believe in people, and it is my experience that when a client is held in a safe, trusting, and empathic relationship their capacity to explore past experiences is enhanced, the unfinished business and unresolved issues from their past and the influence they have on the present helps them to move forward. 

I am adventurous, courageous, and determined with an inquisitive element to my personality. Being like this I thrive on the challenge of gaining insight into patterns of behaviour which can affect life and living. My focus in my client work is to offer acceptance, honesty and to develop understanding for each unique individual.

Initial meetings can feel daunting for new clients, this is why I ask you (the client) to fill in a contact form. This not only helps myself assess your need and my competency, it can also start your counselling journey before you have even met me. On our initial meeting we will discuss your contact form, giving you the opportunity to gauge whether I am the right fit for you, and you for me. It is important that you feel comfortable in my company. It is important to me, that you feel an equal in our working relationship and I am always interested to hear from you, what your hopes and expectations are from the counselling work. We will discuss and agree on the working contract, and how the future sessions will look ie time and dates. This first session will also allow space for any questions you may have regarding the counselling work before be mutually agree to work together.

It is also typical of me to be curious of your childhood upbringing/experience on our first session, if you are comfortable with this. This helps gives me a wider perspective on who you are as a person, it also provides you with the opportunity to share your story with me.