Welcome to
Colin Thomson Counselling
Where Healing Begins
With Being Heard
Counselling and Psychotherapy
for Adults and Young People
Hello, my name is Colin and thank you for visiting my website.
I am a compassionate, experienced Person-Centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist based in East Kilbride (near Glasgow), who works with adults and young people (aged 11–18), offering both in-person and online sessions.
As an Accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I follow their code of ethics and good practice. I am also a qualified Clinical Supervisor for counsellors in practice and training.
For many years I have supported a wide cross section of the community, and in my counselling practice I offer warmth, kindness and empathy to all my clients.
Talking with someone who will listen in a confidential, non-judgemental and compassionate way can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing and begin the first steps towards positive change.
My Counselling Approach
The latest research states that a positive relationship with your counsellor is the main catalyst to a beneficial outcome in therapy.
The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of counselling, and I will provide a safe, respectful space where this relationship can develop naturally.
It takes trust to share your thoughts and feelings. and I will always offer you understanding, acceptance and compassion.
I believe that positive change begins with small steps, and together we will work at your pace taking time to make change something that is achievable.
About Me Personally
My journey into counselling began following my own experience of a sudden and traumatic life event.
This was something life-changing so I understand how overwhelming life can feel at times.
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent many years working in industry and volunteering in the charitable sector, supporting vulnerable people.
As a mature counsellor, I draw on both professional training and life experience, which many clients have found reassuring and relatable.
Counselling Young People
I have extensive experience counselling young people, both in comprehensive schools and in my counselling practice in East Kilbride.
Offering counselling support to a young person takes a particular set of therapeutic skills that are not just gained through the learning on a counselling course.
This is why finding the right counsellor for a young person is not always easy.
I am happy to offer a courtesy call to discuss counselling young people and answer any counselling related questions you may have.
How Can Counselling Help?
As a Counsellor and Psychotherapist I have gained invaluable experience over many years which has helped me appreciate that many people find life difficult and overwhelming, which is why choosing the right counsellor with whom to take that first step is of the utmost importance.
The Person-Centred Counselling Approach is based on the belief that we all have the capacity to solve our own problems, and as your counsellor I will create an accepting space where you can share and explore your feelings in a safe and nurturing space.
Through active listening, gentle reflection and self-exploration, I will support you in developing your own insights and steps toward change.
Counselling is also helpful if you are seeking personal growth, clarity or deeper sense of self.
Issues Where Counselling Can Help?
People who attend counselling can bring a wide range of concerns, and as your counsellor I am here to help and support you with the struggles you may be facing.
In my counselling practice I specialise in supporting clients with the issues list below.
If your particular issue or concern is not on the list then I would happy to discuss how I can be support you.
Abuse
ADHD
Anger
Anxiety
Bereavement
Bullying
Depression
Grief
Loss
Loneliness
Low Self-Esteem
Older People's Counselling
Personal Growth
Relationships
School Issues
Self-Harm
Suicidal Ideation
Young Peoples Counselling
My Location
At my counselling room in East Kilbride Old Village, I offer in-person counselling sessions which can be either short- or long-term.
There is ample car parking space in the area and easy access to the local train station and bus services.
The room is two floors up with no lift or disabled access at the present time.
Sessions and Availability
Individual counselling (1 hour): £50
Counselling supervision (1 hour): £50
Reduced rate available for trainees.
Sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly, depending on your needs.
I offer a courtesy phone or Zoom call to discuss any goals you would to gain from counselling and to answer any counselling related questions.
Qualifications
- Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Certificate in Clinical Supervision
- COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate
- Introduction to Counselling
- Certificate in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- Accredited Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
- Registered under the Disclosure Scotland PVG Scheme
Get In Touch
If you would like to arrange your first session or have an initial chat then please get in touch.
You can leave a message on 07984 309972 and I will respond within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Counselling is often considered a short-term process and a good way to provide immediate support and guidance to manage current situations or life changes, with the aim to feel progress after a limited number of sessions.
Psychotherapy can be a longer-term process aimed at uncovering the root causes of emotional difficulties and trauma that may be having an impact on your life, with the number of sessions being open-ended.
As an experienced counsellor and therapist, I am comfortable working with clients who require either short or long-term counselling, and what is suitable would depend on the requirements of the client and what challenges they are facing at the time.
Once an agreement is reached to attend counselling I will ask you to complete my counselling agreement.
Part of this agreement covers confidentiality in a counselling session and the limits of confidentiality.
Counselling can work partly because it is confidential and although breaking confidentiality is very rare, if I believed that you were a risk to yourself or others then this is something I may have to consider.
If I had to make the decision to break confidentiality then this would be done in discussion with you in the first instance.
As a rule, I would say no, however in certain circumstances (particularly regarding counselling young people) I may permit a parent or guardian to sit in for an initial five minutes if this helps ease any anxiety for you.
The number of sessions required can vary from person to person and will depend on what issues and concerns you bring to counselling.
I do not ask you to commit to attending a particular number of sessions, though at an initial appointment, I will ask you to take time to think about what you would like to gain from counselling and if you are happy to work with me going forward.
Once this has been agreed we can agree on a number of sessions though this is not rigid with some clients requiring only two sessions and others requiring a lot more.
Counselling can be carried out on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis subject to agreement.
Subject to availability I would look to arrange an initial appointment within two weeks of you agreeing to attend counselling.
After an initial appointment I would wish to agree to future sessions with you.
With agreement, counselling would generally take place on the same day and time to allow you to plan your diary.
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