Who am I?
Having worked in several socially aware sectors during an interesting and varied career, I feel I retain aspects of my first training as a teacher. Perhaps it is from this imprint, but I always want people to succeed. I feel my role has always been to help facilitate the changes needed for my clients to achieve their desired goals. I know I have brought the same patience and understanding to every situation I am involved in, whether that has been in a classroom, a drug treatment centre, or a youth rugby training session!
Peter believes each person is unique, a valued individual, who deserves to be held in unconditional positive regard by a counsellor. As such, his approach is tailored to your individual needs, and he seeks to deliver interventions which cater to those specific needs as honestly and empathically as he can.
‘I believe counselling should be seen by the client as a safe situation; a place where you are listened to with compassion and without judgement. This will enable you to explore your emotions, thoughts, behaviour and the meaning of events for you. With such an approach I will encourage you to identify what you would like to gain through counselling’.
Peter’s training background is reflective of the Cognitive Behavioural approach to therapy, and he believes that other methodologies representative of the psychodynamic approach can and should be used to supplement the therapeutic journey of the client.
Peter spent his first decade in professional life in the education sector, firstly as a teacher in secondary education in Glasgow teaching Computing, followed by a position as senior lecturer in Information Systems in further education in Clydebank. This was followed by over three decades working in the Addictions sector mainly in the field of case management of drug and alcohol treatment centres across the UK, incorporating NHS, local government, Prison Service, and Third Sector treatment providers. Peter completed his second degree, a BSc Honours Degree in Psychology in 2021, prior to starting a role in Primary Care as a Community Link Worker, specialising in low-level interventions in anxiety and depression.
Peter is completing his Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Groupwork at the ACT Counselling and CBT Services centre, having previously gained the COSCA certificate in Counselling Skills.
Peter is a member of COSCA.
