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Hello.  I'm Toni, and I'm a qualified and experienced person-centred counsellor & psychotherapist. 

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Background

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I came to training as a counsellor through my own experience of counselling.  I vividly remember, during my first experience of long-term therapy, that sense of relief of being fully listened to, of being given permission to feel what I was feeling.  There was a sense of the jigsaw pieces coming together as I began to understand parts of myself I hadn't really understood before, identifying and shifting "blocks" that I hadn't even realised were there - although they'd affected me for years.  It felt like a homecoming, being able to go to the deep places and explore them, with my counsellor there steadily beside me.   

 

Ever since then I've wondered what it would be like to sit in the "other" (therapist's) chair, and been excited by the idea of offering others that incredible support and insight that helped me so much.  But it was only after moving to Strathspey in the Scottish Highlands with my family that I had the opportunity to retrain.  Studying person-centred counselling & psychotherapy has felt like a natural coming-together of so many parts of me, both professionally and personally.  I feel strongly that person-centred counselling is about supporting you to become the person you truly are - more authentically you, (more congruent, in person-centred terms), more fulfilled.  I love that it's about working with you to find your own answers, not about telling people what to do.    

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I'm originally from Edinburgh.  Prior to moving here and retraining, I lived in different parts of the UK and overseas (teaching English as a Foreign Language in the Czech Republic and Latvia), and worked in a variety of roles including in university administration.  I've also been known to write the odd poem from time to time!

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Training, qualifications & experience

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• Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy, with Distinction - University of the Highlands and Islands (2022)

• COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills - University of the Highlands and Islands (2020)

• Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling - Counselling Tutor (2021)

• Advanced Certificate in Person-Centred Couples Counselling, Counselling Works (2024)

• COSCA Accreditation (2026) (a formal, post-qualification process including writing and reflection on my practice, theoretical approach, etc, which demonstrates a level of maturity and professionalism)

 

• Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults

• BA Hons in English Literature

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The learning process doesn't stop with becoming qualified!  I'm always interested to learn more, and the courses, workshops, reading and study days I've done recently reflect both my own interests and the issues my clients bring.  Some of these include: 

• Exploring Jealousy from a Person-Centred Perspective - Jan Hawkins/Foundation for the Developing Person (FDP) (2025)

• Me, Myself and I - An Introduction to the Inner Child Approach; Experiencing the World of the Inner Child; Relationships and the Inner Child (Samantha Lee) (2025-6)

• Child Sexual Abuse: Hope for Healing (Carolyn Spring) (2025)

• Lost in Empathy - Jan Hawkins/FDP (2024)

• Person-Centred Therapy and the Autistic Spectrum - Jan Hawkins/FDP (2025)​

• workshops & reading, ongoing, on Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

• workshops & reading, ongoing, on Therapeutic Tarot (using Tarot cards for exploration, not divination) (2024, ongoing)

• Ecotherapy: Walk & Talk Therapy - Creative Counsellors (2024)

• Dreams in Person-Centred Therapy - Jan Hawkins/FDP (2024)

• Healing Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - MindBody Breakthrough (2023)

• Foundation Certificate in Bereavement Counselling - Temenos (2023)

• TA 101 - Introduction to Transactional Analysis - Physis Scotland (2023)

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As a person-centred counsellor my primary interest is you - your experience, what brings you here, what is going on for you.  I work with you, the individual - I don't counsel in a certain way because you come with anxiety, or grief (etc) (though I may share a little information about these, if helpful).  I work with you, meeting you where you are. ​​​

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So saying - and noting the same issue can present very differently in different people (eg there is no one "right" way to grieve!) - I have experience of working with a wide variety of issues, including: childhood trauma; trauma and PTSD; relational issues; bereavement, grief and loss; significant life changes; depression; anxiety; and exploring the implications of a late diagnosis of neurodiversity.  I work with neurotypical and neurodiverse clients (including late-diagnosed or self-diagnosed Autistic and ADHD), and have a particular interest in HSP (Highly Sensitive Person).  As a person-centred counsellor I don't diagnose, but I'm happy to help you explore what a diagnosis means for you.

 

I have experience of working with adults of all ages.  I have volunteered with a national counselling agency and have experience of delivering counselling within an NHS setting. 

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​​​​​​I'm an Accredited Member of COSCA  and adhere to their Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice at all times.