top of page

 

 

 

 

I am Irene, a registered BACP counsellor with a PhD in anthropology. My academic and life experiences have allowed me to understand individuals' intrapersonal and interpersonal complexities, and I use this knowledge to help people explore emotional difficulties. I believe each client is unique, and my practice focuses on creating a tailored counselling experience for each individual.  I aim to create a non-judgmental space for people to explore and become aware of their experiences and feelings. I position myself as "in" the therapy alongside my client. I try to let the client's pace and rhythm guide the therapy. 

 

As an individual and relationship counsellor, I specialise in pluralistic counselling, a collaborative, integrative perspective rooted in humanistic-centred values. My expertise in existential counselling and compassionate focus therapy (CFT) allows me to use awareness and compassion to empower individuals. I have completed the foundation course in core process psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute. I am dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive environment for clients to explore complexities.

 

I offer remote counselling sessions by Zoom in English and Italian. I also offer Walk-and-Talk counselling sessions in Edinburgh New Town and the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden.

​

CR1660_CCCR.jpg
© Georgia O'Keeffe
© Georgia O'Keeffe

AWARENESS, COMPASSION, INCLUSIVENESS

A NON-JUDGEMENTAL SPACE FOR A MEANINGFUL  EXPLORATION OF COMPLEXITIES

AREAS OF INTEREST

  • Anxiety

  • Bereavement

  • Consensual non-monogamous relationships

  • Couple counselling

  • Death and non-related death losses

  • Diasporic issues

  • Displacement

  • Epistemic, Hermeneutic, and Testimonial Injustice 

  • Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity (GSRD)

  • Grief

  • Hoarding

  • Identity

  • Isolation

  • LGTBQIA+

  • Loneliness

  • Losses

  • Politics

  • Polyamory

  • Sex workers affirmative therapy

  • Unconventional lifestyles

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING

My practice provides an inclusive and compassionate approach to helping individuals through emotional complexities. My areas of interest include anxiety, bereavement, death and non-death related losses, identity issues, binary and non-binary genders,  and unconventional lifestyles and sexuality.
I provide a non-judgemental environment where individuals can explore their feelings and experiences. I aim to help people better understand themselves and create a therapeutic space to find their own path and feel empowered.

RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING

I specialize in existential and pluralistic relationship counselling. I provide a tailored environment for people of all lifestyles and backgrounds. My services include support for those who practice consensual non-monogamous relationships, polyamory, and other unconventional lifestyles (GSRD). I understand the importance of creating an inclusive and empowering space for clients. My approach is empathic and inclusive. I am proud to offer compassionate and non-judgmental counselling to l my clients.

Curriculum Vitae 

IMG_4038_edited_edited.jpg

QUALIFICATIONS/ACHIEVEMENTS

 

  • BA Anthropology and Communication, Goldsmiths University of London

  • MA Anthropology of Media, SOAS University of London

  • PhD Anthropology and Film Studies, SOAS University of London

  • Diploma in Couple Counselling, Relationships Scotland

  • Foundation Course in Core Process Psychotherapy, Karuna Institute

  •  MSc in Existential Psychotherapy, New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Ongoing

  •  Introduction to Compassionate Focus Therapy, The Compassionate Mind Foundation

  •  Compassion Focus Therapy for Grief, The Compassionate Mind Foundation

  •  Compassionate Focus Therapy for Hoarding, The Compassionate Mind Foundation

  •  Compassionate Focus Therapy Conference, The Compassionate Mind Foundation]

  • Introduction to Walk and Talk therapy. 

​

EXPERIENCE IN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: 

​

  • Volunteer in a nurturing group for vulnerable children in a local primary school. The groups were led by a psychotherapist and based on group psychotherapy.

  •  Trainee counsellor at an LGBT Edinburgh-based counselling service.

  • Trainee counsellor at Relationships Scotland Argyll and Glasgow.

  • Counsellor in private practice.

  • Trainee psychotherapist at an LGBT Edinburgh-based counselling service. 

  • Trainee psychotherapist for a low cost counselling service based in London.

  • Trainee psychotherapist for a low cost counselling service in Edinburgh.

 

EXPERIENCE OF PERSONAL COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

​​

  •  Counselling.

  •  Psychotherapy ongoing. 

27OKeeffe-MoMA-review5-tvcf-superJumbo.webp
© Georgia O'Keeffe

"The ultimate goal of therapy ... it's too hard a question. The words come to me like tranquility, like fulfillment, like realizing your potential. Things that Freud used to say; being able to work and to love, that's pretty good summary of it right there. But mainly it's this idea I tried to explain ... you have to develop a separate new therapy for every single client. So for some clients the goal will be this and for some the goal will be that. For one client I have now the goal really is for him to be able to discuss some of his vulnerabilities with his wife and then have a real relationship between the two of them". 

"Seven Questions for Irvin Yalom", Psychology Today, Mar. 25, 2009

Fees

Individual counselling : GBP 95 per 50 minutes

Couple counselling : GBP 160 per 50 minutes

​

​

IMG_4038_edited_edited.jpg
bottom of page