Mairi Aitchison

I am a trainee counselling psychologist with a diverse range of professional experiences. My therapeutic approach is firmly grounded in person-centred, emotion-focused, and cognitive behavioural approaches, with the integration of psychodynamic perspectives and play therapy where appropriate. Central to my practice are humanistic values and a belief in each individual’s capacity for recovery, growth, and meaningful change. I aim to foster a creative, collaborative therapeutic relationship in which clients can work towards their goals in a personalised and constructive way.

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My professional experience covers the lifespan, from infancy to older adulthood. I am a qualified Early Years Practitioner with over a decade of experience, having supported children from 6 months to 17 years in contexts including emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), mental health difficulties and formal diagnoses, discrimination, experiences of abuse and neglect, and a range of developmental and educational needs. This has included delivering one-to-one therapeutic interventions in schools and working closely with Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs/SENDCOs), teachers, and parents. I have also delivered interventions to promote communication and understanding during family breakdowns in social care.

 

In addition, I have provided emotional support for older adults following brain injuries within the NHS (Centre for Brain Injury Rehabilitation).

I have worked extensively with adults who are victim-survivors of sexual abuse and diverse forms of gender-based and sexual violence—an area that also constitutes the focus of my doctoral research. I am passionate about social justice and hold a firm anti-racist and anti-discriminatory stance. Across all areas of my practice, I have worked with individuals and families from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, adopting both a multicultural orientation and an intersectional approach. I am committed to providing a respectful, compassionate, and non-judgemental therapeutic space where clients feel heard, valued, and supported in their process of change.