Kirstie Allan

Counsellor & Therapist

(MSc, Prof. Dip, MNCPS Accred.)

For me counselling is about giving space to the wholeness of you.

It rests on the simple, yet too often elusive values of feeling truly seen and heard; where judgement is replaced by deep empathy and compassion, especially for the most challenging parts of ourselves. It is about making greater sense of the here and now – often in relation to the there and then of our past – in a way that facilitates greater self-awareness, self-compassion and a grounded self-confidence in who we are today.

Having spent many years committed to understanding myself and my own story more fully, I have at the same time been honoured to share in the softening and working through of the stories of others - family, friends, colleagues and young people in a variety of professional and personal settings, including teaching, youth work and third sector engagement with young people and their carers. As a mother of two, I am also keenly aware of the complexity and depth inherent in the mothering role, driving me to complete my Research MSc on the psychology of motherhood.

From here I have gone on to train extensively in a pluralistic approach to counselling, an approach which embodies a person-centred practise based on the qualities of deep empathy, non-judgement and acceptance, whilst at the same time drawing on a range of counselling modalities including psychotherapy, attachment theory and part work (IFS) to create a safe, upholding and confidential talking space (see more on these modalities in the section Counselling & Talking Therapies). The direction of my work from this point onwards has been with adult clients aged 18+, drawing on the wisdom of these different modalities and fuelled by my client’s immense bravery and capacity to speak into the fullness of themselves - however complex their story.  

In the counselling sessions you and I share together, the space and time will be yours to bring whatever is currently presenting for you. It may be used to reflect on and offload the complexities of everyday life or to explore a diverse range of issues which might be affecting you, including: anxiety, depression, shame, loneliness, grief, loss, childhood experiences, panic, low self-esteem, stress, relationship challenges, work/study difficulties, family challenges, bullying, self-harm, living with (neuro)diversity, suicidal thoughts, attachment patterning and trauma.

NCPS Membership type: Accredited

Membership number: NCS21-01006

“Kirstie is an accomplished therapist of personal and professional integrity, who has worked effectively (and creatively) with many clients during her time at the PF.”

Alison Hampton, Director of PF Counselling, Edinburgh