About me:

I am Emma Mackintosh, a qualified and registered Pluralistic Psychotherapist and Social Worker with over twenty two years of experience supporting children, families and individuals that have faced various difficulties and complex trauma within their lives. My experience has mainly featured around issues of social justice; anxiety; identity; depression; relationships; change; loss and trauma. I have worked alongside people affected by lived care experience; adoption; institutional abuse; childhood abuse; childhood sexual abuse; drug and alcohol misuse; gang violence; domestic abuse; identity; bereavement, change and loss; neurodiversity challenges in a world often designed for neurotypical individuals; relationship difficulties; and physical health issues.

Being trained as a Pluralistic Psychotherapist means that I am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches such as, Person Centred Therapy; Psychodynamic Therapy; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I have also gained additional training in, Narrative Therapy (Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy, Canada) and Collaborative Dialogical Practices (Taos Institute, USA).

As a compassionate and experienced Psychotherapist, I believe that what works for one person might not work for another, and that even on different days, we may need different approaches. As a result, I keep my approach relational, collaborative and flexible adjusting our sessions to fit what works for you. I will support you as the expert in your own problems. I will bring my knowledge and experience to try and facilitate a safe, confidential, supportive and reflective space for you to use in a meaningful way. It is hoped that the space we create together will give you time to reflect on ways forward that work for you - using your strengths, values and hopes. 

Working privately, enables me to pay it forward and I currently provide free weekly psychotherapy and counselling to an organisation that supports adults that have lived experiences of being in care as children and were adopted. Previous to this, I provided psychotherapy and counselling to young people; worked on a therapeutic farm providing family therapy; worked as a mediatior between separated families and worked in a specialised service that provided support to families affected by childhood sexual abuse.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Diploma in Pluralistic Psychotherapy and Counselling, Grounded Learning, UK 
• Certificate in Collaborative and Dialogic Practices by the Taos Institute, USA 
• Narrative Therapy, Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy, Canada
• Post Graduate in Child Protective Studies, Dundee University
• BSc (Honours) Social Work, University of Edinburgh 
• Diploma in Social Work, Scottish Social Services Council 

MEMBERSHIP: 

Accredited registered membership with COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland)