Helen Farquhar

Counsellor | Psychotherapist | Somatic Therapist | ACT Practitioner | ADHD Assessor

I am a Person-Centred Counsellor Psychotherapist with extensive experience supporting children, young people, and adults through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.

My approach is warm, compassionate, and collaborative. I believe that every person deserves a safe space where they can feel heard, understood, and accepted without judgement. Therapy is not about being "fixed"—it is about creating the opportunity to explore, understand, heal, and grow at your own pace.

Throughout my career, I have worked across a variety of settings, including private practice, schools, universities, and within an Integrated Mental Health Team. This has given me extensive experience supporting people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, complex trauma (CPTSD), stress, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm.

I have also spent more than ten years working with adult survivors of abuse, supporting individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, domestic abuse, sexual violence, coercive control, and other forms of trauma. This work has deepened my understanding of the lasting impact of abuse and strengthened my commitment to providing a safe, empowering, and trauma-informed therapeutic space where clients can process their experiences, rebuild self-worth, and move towards healing and recovery.

I work integratively, drawing on Person-Centred Therapy, Somatic Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to tailor support to each individual. ACT helps clients develop psychological flexibility, build resilience, and move towards a life that is guided by their values, even in the presence of difficult thoughts and emotions.

Alongside traditional talking therapy, I integrate Somatic Therapy into my practice, recognising the important connection between mind and body. This approach can help clients develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healing, particularly when working with trauma and long-standing emotional difficulties.

I also specialise in ADHD-informed support and am an Accredited ADHD Assessor, helping clients better understand themselves, their strengths, and the unique challenges they may face.

Whether you are seeking short-term support for a specific issue or longer-term therapy to explore deeper patterns and experiences, I aim to create a therapeutic relationship built on trust, empathy, authenticity, and respect.

Alongside my clinical work, I am a College Lecturer delivering Counselling and Psychotherapy training at HNC and HND level. I am passionate about developing the next generation of counsellors and have many years of experience teaching and supporting adult learners.

Qualifications and Training

MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Stirling University

Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Stirling University

COSCA Diploma in Counselling Supervision

Accredited ADHD Assessor 

ACT therapy trained (Strathclyde University)

Certificate in Advanced Drawing and Talking Therapy

HNC Children Matters

Trained in Trauma Work

Mindfulness In Schools Trainer

Training in Mindfulness Therapy MBSR

Training in Art Therapy

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

BA (Hons) in Tertiary Education with Teaching Qualification

Diploma in Higher Education with Adult Literacies

Postgraduate Diploma in Advice and Guidance

Working with and supporting adults with Dyslexia & Dyscalculia

Lorraine Petrie

Counsellor| Psychotherapist| Couples and relationship counsellor| Counselling supervisor 

I am a trained practitioner of Person‑Centred Counselling and work from an integrative therapeutic approach. My practice blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), CBT tools, and mindfulness-based strategies to support clients in developing emotional resilience, self‑understanding, and meaningful change.

I have extensive experience working with adults and young people experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, and low self‑esteem.

My background includes Primary Care mental health work and as a school counsellor in a secondary school, where I supported pupils through emotional difficulties, academic pressures, and the challenges of adolescence. I have also worked as a bereavement counsellor and provided therapeutic support within a local mental health charity, offering counselling to both young people and adults. In addition, I support employees across a variety of sectors, with short-term, solution-focused counselling within the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) framework.

Alongside my counselling practice, I bring a long and varied nursing career, specialising in cancer care. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the connection between physical health and mental health, including the emotional impact and limitations that can arise from illness, treatment, and chronic conditions. As an experienced cancer nurse, I supported individuals through the emotional challenges of diagnosis, treatment, and life beyond cancer—helping them navigate uncertainty, fear, and the complex feelings that often accompany illness.

I offer both short‑term and long‑term therapy, depending on each client’s needs and goals.

In addition to my clinical work, I am a counselling supervisor, supporting both trainee and qualified counsellors as they develop their therapeutic skills, deepen their reflective practice, and navigate the challenges of clinical work with confidence and care.

Qualification and Training

MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Stirling University

Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Stirling University

COSCA Diploma in Counselling Supervision

Certificate in Couple Counselling and Relationship Work

ACT therapy trained (Strathclyde University)

Certificate in Advanced Drawing and Talking Therapy

HNC Children Matters

Training in Mindfulness Therapy MBSR

Mindfulness in Schools Trainer

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

Mental Health First Aid - 2 days

Mental Health First Aid Lite

COSCA Counselling Skills Course 

CRUSE Specialist Module in Bereavement and Loss

BN with Specialist Practitioner Qualification in Cancer Nursing

Registered General Nurse

John Paterson

John is a trained practitioner of Pluralistic Counselling. This means that while operating from a Person-Centred stance he can draw upon experience of additional counselling approaches like Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioural and Humanistic disciplines for a solution that best fits a client’s needs.  John has years of experience running his own practice and has worked as a counsellor within the 3^rd sector charities and with a university counselling research organisation.  John has focussed his career on working with adults experiencing issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, anger management, stress, and relationship challenges. John works with clients over both short-term and long-term periods depending on their therapy needs.

Alongside his counselling John is a College Lecturer delivering both HNC and HND Counselling training.      

Prior to his counselling career John served in the Armed Forces and worked in the construction industry.  He has been a Business Coach and Action Learning facilitator involved with technical Start-Up companies and 3^rd sector charity organisations.  This has given John a wealth of experience in helping and supporting both individuals and teams.

Qualification and Training

MSc in Pluralistic Counselling – Abertay University

Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling – Edinburgh University

ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)