Confidential adult counselling & psychotherapy. Sessions are offered in-person or online. All counselling is trauma informed and respectful of diversity.
Clinical supervision is available for qualified or trainee counsellors. This is normally offered in an online setting. Sessions are 60 or 90 mins.
Consultancy and private tutoring is now available to individuals and organisations. Experience of delivering a range of SQA and COSCA counselling qualifications up to Diploma Level 10.
Anna McNamara - Insight Therapist, Supervisor and Trainer
"Hello and welcome. I'm Anna and for over 20 years I have been involved in helping adults, young people, families and communities to develop awareness and confidence in their own abilities, self worth and capacity to live a more fulfilling life. Working professionally in the fields of community learning, international development, education and mental health has given me various insights and experiences which inform my work today as a counsellor, psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor.
Like most people, my journey has had its share of personal trauma, struggle and loss. But it has also been one of deep reflection, learning and personal growth supported by my own time in therapy and the love of the people in my life who have stayed with me through it all. I have experienced first hand the courage of vulnerability, the power of sharing our stories and the healing that can come from that process. To gain insight about ourselves, our relationships and their dynamics is at the heart of everything we are. The vision is simple - to help others gain insight into themselves and the many patterns and responses which makes us feel depressed, stuck, confused, anxious and unhappy. Whatever the next step is for you personally, your journey has brought you here - and I hope I get to meet you. The good news is healing is still possible."
Before formally starting working together, a short meeting normally takes place. This is a *20-minute consultation which provides an opportunity for us to meet and for you to tell me a bit about yourself and your needs and preferences for our work together. It also offers space to ask any questions and to negotiate our working agreement. This normally happens by phone or online.
If you are a counsellor seeking supervision, this would be similar process.
* Only applies to individuals seeking counselling. Couples counselling requires a full hour consultation.
There are many ways in which we can work together and there is no fixed order. You might prefer to start by talking about your life, relationships and the experiences that have brought you to counselling. It can help just to have some space to be listened to compassionately, without judgements and to hear your experiences out loud as you make sense of things. This is where connections and patterns find a way to break through. As insights and possibilities emerge, you might then choose to set some specific goals and priorities that you might then work through in therapy.
It might also be helpful to explore the different parts of your own inner experience, for example conflicts between thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and to bring to awareness any areas which are yet unrealised. You might benefit from exploring and understanding your felt identity and the external influences and environments which have impacted on you. In this way you can understand and affirm your deeper values to help support the choices you make and to pave the way for personal boundary setting and assertiveness.
Whatever your preference, my role is to offer a therapeutic approach that meets your needs and aims for therapy.
You may only be wanting short term counselling or be looking for longer term support. In any case, I normally review our work every 6-8 weeks to check in with how things are going for you and to agree together any changes to the work, review or add new goals or decide any next steps. Endings in therapeutic relationships are important and, where possible, we would hopefully be able to discuss and plan this together when the time seems right.
It is important to me to try and be flexible and accessible to as many people as possible from a range of different circumstances. If you have a special requirement, please let me know and I will try and meet it where possible. I have a limited number of counselling concession rates for individuals with low incomes.
Personal, supportive, guidance. Anna has been insightful and empathetic and has helped me understand truths about myself. These have made me more resilient to crises and able to appreciate good times.
Client
My counselling session with Anna is special. It's where I'm safe and supported. It's where I can be me and talk about my deepest fears and sorrows. It's where I get the confidence to carry on.
Client
This has been my first venture into counselling. In the beginning I was nervous, but Anna had a really warm and kind approach to helping me deal with my initial issues. She has subsequently supported my personal growth by giving me the space, time, and most importantly, encouragement to develop my self-esteem.
Client
The space that has been created has become one that is important to me as it's where I feel listened to, understood and safe. Anna is down to earth, non-judgemental and is attentive to my feelings, emotions and needs during the sessions.
Client
