Hello,

Often we can find life overwhelming for a variety of reasons, be that one big stressful event, lots of little stressors which have all added up, or an experience/memory from our past that won't leave our mind. Whatever the stressor happens to be, taking the time to explore and understand it is a step towards easing the stress it brings. It can be hard to experience difficult emotions and situations, and we can often feel confused, isolated, and scared. Frequently, the people we normally turn to are unable to help us in the way that we need, or simply do not understand. We know we are not managing on our own, and feel we need help, and that's where talking therapies such as counselling come in.

The best way I have had counselling described to me by a client is “like talking to a stranger at a bus stop, with additional perks”. The additional perks are training, experience, and professional boundaries such as confidentiality. However, the basic principle remains the same, somebody who you can talk to about what is going on for you, who is removed from the situation and willing to listen without judgement.

I am Alistair (He/Him) and I am one of those strangers at a bus stop, with the perks. I am an integrative counsellor, which is to say I believe there is not one way of working that fits everybody, and therefore I shape the way I work to the individual. This means that I will make my education, training, and experience work for you rather than ask you to fit a certain therapeutic way of working. For a more detailed understanding of who I am and how I work, check the “about” section of my website.