Keystone Counselling

Counselling is when a trained professional works to create a warm, mutually respectful and trusting relationship with their client with the aim of helping them to explore a problem that’s affecting their mental health. The problem could be anxiety, fear, depression, lack of self-confidence, or anything that causes unhappiness.

Confidentiality is the first thing we establish and will be upheld unless you are at serious risk of harming yourself or somebody else. As a therapist I try to listen without judgement and use integrity, kindness, vulnerability and sometimes even humour to create a collaborative and honest partnership.

I am pluralistic counsellor which means I draw on several approaches and together we decide what works best for you. I use a Person- Centred Approach which means that I respect that you know more about yourself than I ever can.

Other approaches that we may draw on: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Mindfulness techniques, Polyvagal exercises, and The Internal Family Systems Model.

I was born in Cape Town, South Africa. I lived in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery for 8 years and was a monastic for 3 years.

For the last 15 years I have run my own sports massage therapy practice. I'm very interested in the connection between the body and mind, how connecting with the body can soothe the mind.

Being South African I understand some of the complexities of coming from a very different culture and creating a home somewhere new.

I am graduate of Fife College, where I attained my diploma in Pluralistic Counselling. I am a BACP member and attend regular supervision. I also completed The Mindfulness Association's Teacher Training modules which informs my practice.

In the U.K. the suicide rates for men are four times higher than they are for women. I believe this is partly due to the difficulties we men have in opening up about our feelings.

In a society that highly values stereotypical masculine qualities it’s important to me that a part of my practice is dedicated to providing a space where men can let down their guard and talk about whatever is going on in their lives