Angus Counselling Service

Counselling and Psychotherapy based in Brechin, serving Angus and beyond

Our Counsellors

Brechin and Angus

John Soutar

MBACP and MSc

I firmly believe in the compassionate and non-judgemental nature of counselling and honed my active listening skills with 30 years public service in the emergency services and helped in a range of ways with the difficulties that trauma can bring to families.

For the past 5 years I have been working with the mental health charity Penumbra supporting families in the field of suicide prevention and worked with the NHS delivering Distress Brief Intervention support through the 111 service. I am keen to support anyone looking for counselling across the range of issues mentioned in the website. I have had my own experience of prostate cancer and would like to offer support to anyone affected by any form of this terrible disease.

I am a compassionate and empathetic practitioner and tailor my therapeutic approach to meet the individual needs and preferences of each client. I offer a safe space to collaborate and with an MSc in Pluralistic Counselling can employ a variety of therapeutic techniques.

I prefer to discuss the range of suitable therapies with each client to enable collaborative decisions around which approach would work best for any difficulty or situation. I prefer to work with Adults from 16 years onwards. I place great importance on recognising the uniqueness of each individual and take care in building rapport and a warm safe space to engender a supportive relationship to enable therapeutic change.

Cosca Certificate in Counselling Skills (2020 – 2021)
MSc in Pluralistic Counselling, Abertay University (2021 – 2024)
ASIST Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (2021)
Counselling people with Sight Loss (RNIB) (2024)

CONTACT JOHN

Alison Todd

MBACP and MSc

I have worked with children and families for over 40 years in a range of settings, including residential care Homestart with parents, Community development, have been a Counselling manager of Childline Scotland, director with NSPCC childline and the Director of children 1st (Rspcc) developing and overseeing managing services to support separating parents and kinship carers . My last post before undertaking my counselling studies was CEO of Children 1st.

I have a strong belief in social Justice and a commitment to support those who have found themselves disadvantaged and marginalised through no fault of their own.

I have deep knowledge and understanding of childhood trauma and its impact into Adult life and have spent many years studying and understanding our developing knowledge of the brain and the impact of adversity.

I believe everyone has the capacity to heal and find their voice and autonomy to reach their potential, by understanding their thoughts and actions.

I am a pluralistic counsellor with a commitment to work alongside individuals to agree their goals and to collaborate on how we will meet them.

Collaboration is key to my work.