I am a fully qualified integrative counsellor, registered with BACP. I have experience working with clients in private, charitable and school settings. My approach is integrative, with a strong person-centred basis, which means I will use different modalities of counselling to best fit your personal needs and goals. As well as working with adults on a range of issues, I have also done advanced training in counselling children and young people. Research shows that one in ten children will experience mental health problems at some point in their young lives. Anxiety, depression, low mood and self harming behaviours can have a hugely negative effect on all areas of a young person’s life, not to mention the potential effect on future opportunities. Children and young people often find it particularly hard to put their thoughts and feelings into words, and that is why working creatively with this age group can be particularly helpful. Using creative tools such as story building (mapping life so far, highlighting the highs and lows and exploring how they might want the story to continue), nesting dolls (which can help identify and understand different parts of ourselves), emotion and emoji faces (to help identify feelings without the need for words), and various “getting to know you” games (which are designed to help build relationship and encourage meaningful conversation in a non-threatening way) has enhanced my practice with both adults and younger clients alike. EFT or “emotional freedom technique”(commonly known as “tapping”) can also be a very helpful tool for some. Other areas I have a particular interest in are chronic illness and anxiety. For many people, living with a chronic illness such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be an anxious and frustrating experience. Fatigue, widespread pain, digestive problems and disordered sleep are just some of the more common complaints in a long list of symptoms. Dealing with these on a daily basis can be very isolating, and for some sufferers, this may lead to low mood, depression and/or anxiety. Mental health can also be affected by the loss of confidence, social interaction or worry about how relationships are affected by the condition. Talking through these worries and frustrations and exploring ways to cope with the limitations the condition brings can make it more manageable. CBT (a type of therapy which works by interrupting the negative cycle of thoughts, physical feelings emotions and actions, and breaking down overwhelming problems into smaller, more manageable chunks) can be particularly effective. Mindfulness (a practice which helps reduce stress and anxiety by focussing on being in the present moment) can also be very useful as it helps the body to be in a naturally more healing state. Anxiety is hugely prevalent in society today. Over the last couple of years in particular, with all the uncertainty of COVID, lockdowns and associated issues, more and more people of all ages are seeking help to deal with anxiety. I tend to think of the nervous system as being like a smoke alarm- it’s supposed to be there in case of emergencies, it’s part of us, and when it’s doing it’s job properly, it’s good and it’s healthy. The problem arises when our nervous system becomes over-sensitive and perceives threat and danger everywhere (eg. in a “look”, a short answer, or when a text is not replied to). When this happens our alarm system goes off, flooding our bodies with stress hormones, and causing all those horrible physical feelings associated with anxiety. Once this cycle has started, it’s impossible to stop it using “mind over matter”. You cannot think your way out of anxiety once its there - it’s in our bodies and that’s where we have to start to break it’s cycle. By learning techniques to put our bodies back into a calmer state and feel safer again, we can influence our brains - slowing them down and reducing overthinking and anxious thought patterns.

I am a qualified psychotherapist with a Diploma in Gestalt Therapy, an MA in Psychotherapy (Distinction), and a BA in Philosophy with Psychology. I am also a member of the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT). My practice is exclusively online, allowing me to provide flexible hours to accommodate your schedule. I specialize in various areas of counselling, including anxiety, depression, grief, burnout, relationships, men's issues, and general counselling. Originally from Lochaber, I moved to Barcelona in 2008, where I run my own psychotherapy practice. In addition to my private practice, I volunteer with Lochaber Hope, offering my expertise to support the community. I am dedicated to academic research and have co-authored two papers that explore innovative methods for assisting individuals with long-term grief. In my personal time, I enjoy music and play the bagpipes. More info: www.donnienicolson.com

Moira is a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist with a Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, and is also a certified Havening Practitioner. As a member of COSCA, she practices a person-centred approach, offering both online and telephone counselling. Moira works with general adults, children, and youth, with availability on weekday afternoons until 6pm. "I offer a confidential space for you to talk through any issues. Using a non-judgemental approach, I will value you as a person by working in an open and genuine way to understand your experiences from your perspective. I aim to help you become more self-aware and achieve greater confidence and independence. Some of the issues I work with include stress, bereavement, survivors of sexual abuse, domestic abuse, depression, work-related stress, trauma, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), low confidence/self-esteem, and personal identity. When I am not working, I love being outdoors. I am a keen gardener and enjoy growing my own vegetables and using them to cook. If I am not gardening, I can usually be found out cycling, going for a run, or 'dooking' somewhere in Moray (mainly Lossie). I am at my happiest when I am enjoying the beautiful sights of Moray." Moira currently has a waiting list for new clients. Please contact Lochaber Hope for an estimate of when she may be available to work with you. Website: moira-middleton.co.uk