Question 1

What is counselling or psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

The words 'counselling' and 'psychotherapy' are more or less synonymous. Life can be tough. There is no getting away from it. Sometimes it can be difficult to make sense of ourselves, the life we are leading and experiences we may have had or are having. Having somebody to speak to that can listen impartially without judgement can be a lifeline, especially when our nearest and dearest might want to override our feelings by offering advice and 'solutions'. Therefore, I  provide a confidential, non-judgemental, understanding space for you to talk about life events, dilemmas, relationships, feelings, thoughts and patterns of behaviour. I will be genuinely curious about what your meanings are for how you see yourself, and the world. I will steadfastly hold the vision that you can thrive - not just survive - in your own unique way.

Question 2

Why choose me as your therapist?

Accepted Answer

I am a fully trained, registered with the BACP, insured professional therapist who has been working in this capacity for 5 years. I am committed to my own professional development and undertake professional further training annually in my own time, at my own expense. I also pay for regular monthly supervision, and engage in supervision with the companies I work for and also group supervision where appropriate. This all feeds into being a solid reflective therapist.

Also, I have a thorough understanding of therapy from the perspective of the client, having engaged in regular therapy over the last twenty years. I stand for and promote talk therapy as being one means of developing and maintaining a healthy life, primarily because I know from experience that it can and does work. Engaging in therapy has given me the valuable experience of understanding different therapeutic modalities as well as a bomb-proof space to ensure my own suitability to work in this profession.

Question 3

What tools and techniques do you use as a therapist?

Accepted Answer

I am essentially an integrative psychotherapist. Person-centred trained, I will weave in whatever may be required from the training I have done in response to what you share if it feels it would be of benefit to you. For example, I may suggest the use of compassion focused therapy techniques; trauma-informed somatic based interventions; different ways of reframing your perspective; mindfulness techniques; nature-based invitations. We may also work creatively with art materials, via writing or with visualisation. This is a collaborative process and all suggestions are just that, suggestions, we only ever do what feels right for you.

Please note the service I provide is not about managing symptoms to 'cope', and dealing out strategies for a 'quick fix'.  However, if that is what you feel you need, we can consider this collaboratively, and I will support any signposting to different sources of support if you feel them necessary.

Question 4

What qualifications and training do you have?

Accepted Answer

My main qualifications:

- Advanced Diploma in Person Centred Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Certificate in Counselling Children and Young People 
- Certificate in Online and Phone Counselling
- Scottish Mental Health First Aid Certificate
- Ecotherapy Professional Certificate
- Certified Forest Therapy Guide Certificate
- Natural Mindfulness Guide 
- Woodland Outdoor Leader Certificate
- PGCE Primary Education

Training and CPD (not exhaustive):

- Professional Certificate in Positive Neuroplasticity
- Compassion Focused Therapy training
- Somatic Therapy for Complex Trauma certificate
- Polyvagal Theory and interventions
- Evidence based interventions for those with Trauma, Anxiety and Stress
- Research into therapeutic interventions with CYP
- Theory of Existential therapy
- Neurodivergence, and training on delivering therapy with autistic clients and those with ADHD

Question 5

How do I pay for sessions?

Accepted Answer

You can pay me via BACS via this website, payment is expected before the session starts; or you can give me cash at the start of the session when we meet.

You can also book for a block of 6 sessions at a time, and receive a 5% discount.

If 24 hour notice of needing to cancel the appointment is not given, full payment will be expected.

Question 6

How much do you charge?

Accepted Answer

I charge £50 per session, whether indoors, outdoors, online or via phone for clients within Moray and Scotland.

I charge £60 for clients outwith Moray and Scotland. This includes those in the rest of the UK, Europe, and Worldwide.

For outdoor sessions that are outwith central Forres, a fair fuel + time charge will be added.

Concessions are welcome, and will be given on a case by case basis if for e.g. you are on full benefits, low income under £12,000 etc. If you feel money would be a barrier please contact me to discuss.

Question 7

Can I meet you before the session?

Accepted Answer

I offer a free 20 minute introductory phone call to see whether or not we are suited to working with one another, please email me at dquistcounselling@protonmail.com to book, or book via this website.

Question 8

What are the benefits of talk therapy?

Accepted Answer

The client-counsellor relationship that operates within firm professional boundaries is beneficial. This is now proven by strong research. We are social animals that need to be heard, cared for and understood. Generally, if this need is not met, problems can occur. Counselling/therapy can begin to meet that need. Through depth and trust in relating, integration of unresolved life experience may occur. Talking in this way, which also focuses on what is happening in the body (feelings, sensations, emotions) can help us question our existing internal narratives, bringing understanding and compassion to our felt experience and so create fresh narratives, which in turn can support us to feel differently.

Overall, you may gain fresh insight, self awareness, understanding, empowerment, agency. You may also find yourself free from long-held unhelpful behaviours and ways of thinking.

If you choose to, having a session outside may strongly enhance this already beneficial effect, as time in nature has been proven to greatly improve well-being on many levels: physical, emotional, mental, creative.

Question 9

Who do you work with?

Accepted Answer

I have worked with and do work with many different people of all different ages (from 12+), backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, gender, stages of life, physical capacity. I have supported people with all sorts of different issues. Also, those with diagnoses of a medical or psychological nature.

However, I do not work with those with serious psychiatric diagnosis such as bi-polar, schizophrenia, personality disorders and advanced eating disorders. I am not trained to do so. The caveat to this regarding psychosis is if you have had episodes but haven't relapsed for a long period.

I also do not work with those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. If you are clean/sober however, and are well on the recovery journey, this may be possible. Again, I do not believe that the therapy I offer is suitable for those who are in the process of the initial disengagement from alcohol or substance abuse. This goes for other addictions also, such as gambling and porn.

If you have any questions about whether what I offer is suitable for you, or wonder if I can help, please email me or book a free introductory call.

Question 10

Can you help in a crisis or emergency?

Accepted Answer

What I offer is person centred, humanistic talk therapy NOT crisis intervention. I cannot be contacted for therapeutic support outside of, or inbetween, booked sessions.

If you need immediate assistance for abuse, violence, are feeling highly vulnerable/unsafe for whatever reason or are intending to hurt yourself, someone else or take your own life, YOU MUST reach out for emergency support. For example:

NHS 24 111, or 999 if a life threatening emergency
The Samaritans
116 123 or by email at:  jo@samaritans.org Anytime day or night. 
Breathing Space
0800 83 85 87 (Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm-Monday 6am. This service is for people in Scotland).
Trauma Counselling Line Scotland
08088 020406. A free telephone counselling service for adults who experienced abuse in childhood.
Rape Crisis Scotland
08088 01 03 02 (6pm to midnight, 7 days a week). Offers a helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence. 
Scottish Women’s Aid 
0800 027 1234
Scottish Women’s Aid Scottish is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse.
Wellbeing Scotland
0800 121 6027 (Monday-Friday 9am-11am). Provides support for those who have suffered abuse or trauma. 
Combat Stress 
0800 138 1619, text 07537 404 719
The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) 
Moray: 01224 551955
Highland: 01463 705597
Childline  
0800 1111
Support for children and young people up to their 19th birthday. 
Shout  
text 85258 (for all ages), a text service for those who need immediate assistance.

Question 11

What can counselling/psychotherapy help with?

Accepted Answer

I have worked with a variety of issues, including: anxiety, depression, stress, self-worth, abuse (emotional and physical), trauma, dissociation, existential crisis and loss of meaning in life, bereavement, grief, peri/menopausal shifts and eco-anxiety.

Counselling can help with:

Stress, anxiety and depression
Difficult life decisions and dilemmas
Addictive patterns or behaviours
Traumatic experiences
Bereavement
Grief in its many forms
Relationship issues
Loss of meaning, purpose and direction in life.
Coping with challenging and contradictory feelings, emotions and thoughts
Feeling inexplicably 'stuck'

If you have any questions about whether this service is suitable for you, please drop me an email or book a free introductory call.

Question 12

How many sessions should I have or how often?

Accepted Answer

I offer a minimum of 1 session per week, the regularity is based on your own choice, for e.g. once a week, once a fortnight, every 3 weeks, once a month, or ad hoc, etc. From experience however, I feel therapy works best with commitment therefore a regular commitment to sessions, but it really is up to you.

Verdant Life

Therapy and Nature

Frequently asked questions