Hi, I'm Lisa.
Being listened to in the right way can help you feel better.
Choosing a counsellor who is right for you can be tricky. I hope I can provide helpful information to support you in making that decision.
I am a skilled person-centred therapist, based in the Scottish Highlands. I worked as a counsellor in third sector organisations, a GP surgery and in primary and secondary schools, before setting up in private practice.
I work therapeutically with children, teenagers and adults - I offer online video sessions.
About me
I have a postgraduate diploma in person-centred counselling (with distinction) from the University of Aberdeen and I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Following further training specific to online therapy, I am also registered with the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO).
I have been a teacher for twenty years, inclusive of primary and secondary school teaching, with a focus on additional support needs. Having worked with young people for two decades, in part as a school counsellor, I have extensive experience of supporting a range of needs including those around social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and neurodivergence.
Whilst teaching, I thrived in my nurturing role, which prompted me to train as a counsellor.
I have been working therapeutically with adults for a number of years, which I am equally passionate about.
I enjoy connecting with people and believe that we all have potential, even when life is hard.
I live in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, where I enjoy the coastlines, forests and mountains. I regularly walk on my local beach with my husband and small ginger rescue dog, Eddie. I have various hobbies and interests, including gardening, reading and crafting.
What is Counselling?
Counselling can be described as a talking therapy – the process of speaking to a qualified person about things that are difficult.
Person-centred counselling is a non-directive therapeutic approach, based on a positive and hopeful belief in human potential - that everyone can change and grow if they are placed in a nurturing environment. Within the therapeutic relationship, counsellor observations can help clients to understand their perceived reality and in turn, alter their thinking and behaviour, so they can live in a more fully functional way.
Person-centred therapy does not offer fixes, strategies or solutions – rather, it holds that clients already have the answers and with some help, will be able to see them.
I will listen to you in a caring, authentic, understanding, and non-judgemental manner. I believe that being listened to in this way, provides the optimal conditions to facilitate change and can enable you to:
- find a way through your problems or difficulties
- become clearer and more confident about who you are and what you need
A selection of things that counselling can help with:
Abuse, ADHD, anger management, anxiety, ASD, bereavement/loss, child-related issues, depression, identity issues, isolation, loss of meaning in life, low mood, low self-esteem, neurodiversity, personal development, problems at home/school/work, relationships, sexuality, stress, trauma.
Together, we can work on untangling what is going on for you.
Online Counselling
Online therapy is a way for people to engage in counselling, using internet-based methods. It is carried out via secure and encrypted web platforms.
A vital part of counselling is that you feel heard and understood. Although counsellor and client are not in the same room, online therapy can be just as effective in achieving this as face-to-face therapy.
I currently offer one-to-one, online video sessions using Google Meet.
You will need a quiet and private space, where you will not be interrupted or overheard. You will also require an internet enabled device with a working microphone and camera, with Google Meet installed. You should stabilise your device on a flat surface, rather than holding it, for minimal disruption or distraction.
Brief Guide to Counselling - Information for Young People
Counselling gives you a safe space to talk things through. I will not tell you what to do but I can help you try and work things out.
There are times when we all find life difficult. Sometimes things happen that we can struggle to cope with. At other times, we just do not know why we feel what we are feeling.
Some reasons why young people come to counselling are: abuse, bullying, family problems, feeling sad or anxious, feeling worried all the time, feeling bad about themselves, low self-esteem or lack of confidence, problems at school, self-harm, sexuality, someone close has died or left, worry over exams or worries about home.
Our conversations are private and confidential, unless I have concerns about your safety or another person's safety. I will talk more about this when we meet.
During our first session, we will spend some time getting to know each other a little. We will talk about what may be bothering you and how counselling might help. You can talk about whatever is important to you.
FAQs
Are you a member of a professional body?
- Registered Member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
- Member of ACTO (Association for Counselling and Therapy Online).
- Registered teacher with GTCS (General Teaching Council for Scotland).
Is online therapy right for me?
There are advantages and disadvantages to online counselling. It is worth considering your own situation and what you hope to get out of counselling. If you would like a list of the pros and cons, please let me know and I will email this to you.
How long will I need counselling for?
This is up to you. Some clients seek short term support, for perhaps 6 to 8 sessions, whilst some clients desire longer term working. Sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You are in charge of deciding what is best for you. I do not ask clients to commit to a minimum or maximum number of sessions.
How much will it cost?
£45 for 50 minutes of counselling (the first session costs £25).
I offer a £30 concessionary rate to counselling trainees and students.
Fees should be paid before the session takes place. I accept payment via bank transfer.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
See the ‘Cancellation’ information in the policies section for details.
When can you see me?
My current working hours are:
Tuesday - 10am to 6pm
Wednesday - 10am to 6pm
Friday - 10am to 5pm
Should the above times be unsuitable, there may be scope for some flexibility. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this. Please note however, that I do not work weekends.
Which clients do you see?
I work with children (age 10+), teenagers and adults of all ages.
I am a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, with regards working with children and adults.
See the ‘Working with Children and Young People’ information in the policies section, for more details.
What about confidentiality?
Everything you bring to counselling is confidential.
See the ‘Confidentiality’ information in the policies section for details.
How will you use my information?
I will use your information to contact you and to record session notes.
See the ‘Privacy’ information in the policies section for details.
What happens when I get in touch?
Before the first session, I will collect some personal details via an emailed document.
During the first session, I will ask what brings you to counselling and what you hope to achieve. I will describe how I work and can answer any queries you may have. To ensure I work ethically, I will consider whether working together would be a ‘good fit’ for both of us.
Following this session, should we proceed, I will email you a contract to set out key information and confirm your agreement to counselling.
The first session costs £25, which is payable before the session takes place.
Policies
Cancellation
Sessions can be cancelled or rescheduled by messaging, calling or emailing. If you give more than 24 hours notice, there will be no charge. If you give less than 24 hours notice or if you miss the session, you will still need to pay in full.
If I believe a client is under the influence of alcohol/non-prescription drugs, I will end the session immediately.
If I am unable to attend a session due to an accident or illness, the next mutually convenient day and time will be offered. I will give as much notice as possible of any holidays or training, which might mean session day/times are not available.
Confidentiality
As a counsellor, my first responsibility is to my client. Everything you bring to therapy will be treated confidentially, except in the following circumstances:
- There is a risk of serious harm to you or other people
- You disclose a serious unreported crime
- A court has made a legal order (subpoena)
Should any of these exceptional circumstances arise, I will speak to you about the requirement for me to pass information on.
I attend monthly supervision, when I speak to my supervisor about my client work. My supervisor ensures that I am working legally and ethically. My supervisor is also bound by confidentiality and will not discuss the contents of our sessions with anyone else.
With regards confidentiality around children and young people, see the ‘Working with Children and Young People’ information in the policies section.
Working with Children and Young People
I am a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, with regards working with children and adults. PVG is a membership scheme for people who do regulated work with children and vulnerable adults. It is managed by Disclosure Scotland, which is an executive agency of the Scottish Government.
Information for parents and carers:
As a counsellor, my first responsibility is to my client. Everything a child or young person brings to therapy will be treated confidentially.
I believe that counselling has the best chance of being effective when a child or young person is permitted to keep their counselling relationship private. I appreciate that parents and carers place their trust in me and I understand that updates can be helpful. Please note the following:
- Please allow your child to decide whether they want to talk to you about their sessions and how much or how little they wish to tell you.
- If your child discloses something that I believe indicates risk of serious harm to themselves or to others, then I will be in touch with you (which I will tell the child I am going to do).
- Feel free to contact me to request an update on how the sessions are going. I will provide an appropriate answer, which preserves confidentiality.
- I check in with my clients on a regular basis to see if they are finding the work we are doing together helpful. If they are not, then we will bring our work to a close.
Privacy
I, Lisa Folly, adhere to current data protection legislation, including General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations. This privacy notice tells you what I will do with your personal information, from initial point of contact, through to after your therapy has ended.
I am registered as the Data Controller for my business with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) and take the protection of your data very seriously. The ICO is the statutory body that oversees data protection law in the UK. I will collect, store and process basic personal data about you and I am responsible for keeping it safe and secure.
I collect your:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Email address
- Next of kin / emergency contact
- GP's name and address
In the case of children and young people, this will be the contact details of parents/carers.
I need these details to administer and deliver the service you have requested, and to comply with any legal or professional body responsibilities that ensue in the delivery of that service.
I will use your details to contact you and to record my electronic session notes. I will store your personal information on my electronic devices, which are password protected. Session notes are anonymised, and will be stored in a separate file to the one in which your personal details are held – no information is shared with a third party. Your personal details will be deleted as soon as our work together ends. Anonymised session notes will be retained for a period of five years, after which they will be permanently deleted. If you would like me to delete these sooner, just let me know.
You have a right at any time to ask what information I hold on you.
If you feel there has been a breach of your data and you wish to raise a complaint, you can contact me directly in the first instance. If my response is not acceptable to you, you can contact the Information Commissioners Office. For more information go to ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.
Living Will
In the event of my death or incapacitation, a nominated person will access the names and contact details of my current clients. This nominated person will contact my clients to inform them of my situation.
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