Nicola MacGregor

Whether you are ready to start your counselling journey, or curious about this, I have immediate availability to meet you where you are at in this process.

The statement 'Your Past Does Not Define You' is a truth that I have come to appreciate in my own personal journey. Providing a safe space whilst exploring your difficult childhood experience and how this might impact you in adulthood I will offer acceptance, honesty and empathy in our work together. I personally understand that past life experiences can influence how we live in the present. Part of our work may include working with parts of younger self to help you find self acceptance, and regain your sense of self which may have been lost, or never known. From experience this process may be difficult yet highly rewarding, leading to a more fulfilled life. Appreciating your uniqueness, I endeavour to provide a safe and appropriate experience in the therapeutic work while giving you full ownership and autonomy in our work together.

My intention when working with you is to help you gain a more positive perspective of yourself as an individual, which will inevitably help you make choices which are right for you. 

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. 

Work Monday 9-7pm

Friday 9-7pm

Good Mental Health is key to living a fulfilling and rewarding life, at times this just seems so difficult. Anxiety and depression can stop this happening. I view these as a process that develops over time, rather than something I have ‘got’. I am here to help you unravel life events that may have led you to this place of anxiety or depression, and help you live a life that you are worthy and deserving of. Offering acceptance and non judgement I will listen, not advise, and help you work through your feeling and emotions at a pace that is led by you. My aim on our work together is to help you feel empowered and help you gain an understanding of where you have got too. Not only for now, but also in moving forward with your life. 

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.