I consider my life so far as a journey. Experiencing both good and bad as part of my personal life learning. I have served in the military for several years, where people have naturally approached me when they needed a moment to talk about their issues. I have lived both in the UK and in Europe, where I appreciated the opportunity of being part of and learning from the various cultural differences that has enriched my life. I have volunteered with various organisations such as Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, a millennium volunteer with Cornerstone, Cruse Bereavement Scotland Helpline Volunteer and Volunteer Counsellor with Women’s Aid. I understand how traumatic events and the stresses within the community for various reasons, can put undue pressure on a person’s mental health.
A colleague approached me over 20 years ago to see if I would take part in a psychology assessment as part of their degree. I was happy to help with the process. My colleague planted the seed of me taking the course. I felt it wasn’t the right time. Unsure I wasn’t ready to face the past. Scared it would change me and my approach on life events. I left the subject on the shelf for the time being. However, years on another colleague enquired if I ever thought about being a counsellor. This time after a few days pondering the idea decided now was the right time to embark on this journey.
The confidence and desire to train as a person-centred counsellor made me feel elated. Giving support to others and teaching them how to empower themselves. To build a strong foundation to find their own solutions to issues. Whilst maintaining confidentiality, unconditional positivity regard, empathy and congruence.
In 2019 within my administrative role, I was nominated for the Mentor of the Year award. It said the following:
“Anna is the “go-to” person for staff when they have queries. She is always responsive to requests for support and guidance, especially when it concerns the sensitive issue of payroll.
Her nomination reads: “Anna goes out of her way to respond as quickly as she is able to do so. Once she did so as she didn’t want me to be worrying about my issue over the weekend. She never makes me feel a nuisance asking questions.”
My qualifications are as follows:
BA(Hons) Degree in History and BA(Hons) Degree in Humanities with History and literature. Diploma in Higher Education in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate, Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health, Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of End of Life Care, Certificate in Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid: Adults and Young People, Certificate in Equality and Diversity, Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems and a Certificate in Introductory Transactional Analysis 101 Course. Children and Young People Bereavement, Relationship Scotland Couples Counselling Certificate, Children and Young People Matters Certificate and Introduction To: The Dyslexia Aware Therapeutic Approach Certificate. I have attended numerous continuous professional development workshops such as Food and Mood the connection, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) & Introduction to Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), The Neuroscience of Relationships, Re-Claiming the Organism, The Neuroscience of Self-Love, Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Lifelong Relationships, Treating Intrusive Thoughts and the Inner Critical Voice, Under Pressure – Preventing Abuse and Exploitation in Teen Relationship, a Foundation in Suicide Intervention – ‘Suicide First Aid”, Moving Your Practice Online, Suicide Awareness Training and Coaching for Counsellors.
I hold Disclosure Scotland PVG Scheme record issued under section 52 of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.
Testimonial
“Many, many thanks for helping me to help myself”