Susan Mackay

Tuesday and Wednesday I work in Southside, Edinburgh.

Monday and Thursday I have some availability in Midlothian and The Borders.

Please contact me to discuss available hours. 

Stop suffering and start feeling better.

That’s the simple goal of therapy.

Whatever has brought you to seek a therapist may be causing you emotional pain, anxiety, confusion, numbness, sadness, or overwhelm. Together, we will work to help you feel better—whatever that looks like for you. Perhaps it means feeling calmer, more capable, more alive, or having more assurance, optimism, self-awareness, or agency.

My role is to offer you a safe place to explore and understand your experiences. I pay close attention to what is happening for you and give it space. Together, we will make sense of what you are going through and work towards achieving your mental health goals.

My practice is rooted in psychodynamic art psychotherapy. This means I will consider how your current challenges might be related to your past. As a trauma-informed therapist, I can also shift to alternate approaches to best support you.

During this process, sometimes words are enough.

However, there are times when words can be difficult to find and express. In these moments, working with art materials can help. During sessions, we might use art to express, explore, or engage with your feelings. Sometimes, artmaking can simply help ease the anxiety of being in therapy.

This form of therapy can be helpful irrespective of the challenges you are facing. In the NHS, I worked with adults suffering from substance misuse, brain injury, self harm, anxiety, and depression. My doctorate explored sex, sexuality and alternative lifestyles. And I have worked with a rich range of clients in private practice.

 Whatever you bring I will be with you, pay attention, follow your pace, and encourage your aims.

To start, I can offer a free initial 15/ 20 min online conversation.

This will allow you to tell me a little more about what has brought you to therapy and give us both a chance to see if we might be a good fit.