​

My name is Johnny (he/they), and I am a qualified practitioner in both Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) and  Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). In CAT, I focus with clients on us understanding how they think, feel, and act, making sense together of the significant events and relationships that have shaped their experiences. This approach helps clients draw meaningful connections between past relationships, including systemic interactions, and their current sense of self. As an EMDR practitioner, I integrate this modality using Attachment-Focused EMDR principles, blending the introspective and relational focus of CAT with the processing capabilities of EMDR. These therapies form my primary modalities, offering a comprehensive framework to address and heal from a range of psychological and emotional challenges.

​

I also have training in:

​

Polyvagal Theory

 Group Schema Therapy​

 Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT)​

 Open Dialogue ​

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

​​

Feel free to click on the hyperlinks for any of the therapeutic styles mentioned above to find out more.

• ​

I provide a distinct approach beyond the confines of standardised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), tailoring therapies to align with the individual needs of each client. I firmly believe in the uniqueness of each therapeutic relationship, ensuring that every interaction with my clients is distinct and personalised. My practice is deeply rooted in a trauma-informed, neurodiversity and gender-affirming ethos. I am committed to an anti-oppressive and sex-positive approach, valuing the diverse experiences and identities of all my clients. I understand that for many LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent people, therapy has not always felt safe, collaborative, or affirming, and I aim to create a space where people feel able to explore themselves without needing to mask, explain, or defend who they are.

​

Over the years, I have been grateful and privileged to learn so much from my clients. I have a lot of experience working with survivors of trauma, grief and loss, alcohol and substance problems, various forms of self-harm, relationship difficulties, identity exploration, emotional overwhelm, and neurodivergence.

An Accredited Clinical and Mental Health Social Worker, I have worked across public and private psychiatric hospital settings, community mental health, acute and crisis teams, refugee mental health, private practice, supervision, consultation, and systems work for over 20 years. This experience has also helped me develop assessment skills and knowledge in identifying and treating a broad range of mental health issues, including Complex PTSD, Gender Dysphoria, depression, anxiety, personality, psychotic and bipolar spectrum, and eating disorders. I have worked in private practice since 2012, initially part time and now full time.

​

Having spent the first 30 years of my life in Scotland, and being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am attuned from personal experience to how it can feel to move through the world feeling different, misunderstood, or outside expected norms. I understand how hard it can be to talk about traumatic experiences and I strive to bring warmth, partnership, acceptance and compassion to all my work.

Additionally, I am joined most days at work by PJ (she/her), my collegial therapy dog, born in 2021. PJ provides emotional support and contributes to the warm and grounded environment we strive to create

​

​