Rate Isla Donaldson

Life is full of unpredictable change and challenges, and we all need support sometimes. I specialise in reconnecting people with themselves, and with their direct experience as a resource for living – supporting them to restore a real sense of balance, connectedness and meaning in their lives.

In therapy I offer a safe, collaborative space where we will focus on what is most important to you. I will move alongside you with understanding and presence, both supporting and challenging you, while we process what is happening together. Therapy will be a place where all aspects of your human experience are welcomed without judgement. The self-awareness, self-acceptance and embodied sense of safety which naturally develop from this process can help people to move through life with greater resilience, self-trust, clarity and hope.

My approach is person-centred and relational, which means that it’s based on a trust in each person's innate potential and capacity for growth, and it’s the process of engaging in a therapeutic relationship that supports this potential to become more fully realised. It also means that your unique experience and needs will always guide the pace and direction of our work. Additionally, I work in a somatic, trauma Informed way, which means that the client's immediate in-the-moment sensations and feelings are a primary means for understanding their experience, expanding awareness, processing emotion and memory, and resourcing and regulating the nervous system.

My experience has been varied, having worked for the last 5 years with both adults and young people on a range of issues including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief and loss, and I have particular experience in working with those who’ve lived through trauma or abuse, and those who are struggling with suicidal ideation or self-harming behaviours.

I've got a first-class degree in Humanistic Counselling Practice (BA) and am committed to continuous professional development. I’ve completed additional training on various topics including: Somatics and Embodiment, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, Systemic Trauma, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment Theory, Sex and Sexuality; Boundaries and Consent, Safeguarding, Applied Suicide Intervention and Online Therapy.

If you want a session outside of the available time slots, just let me know. My schedule is fairly flexible, and I’ll try my best to accommodate you.

I know that reaching out can take huge courage - everything that you share with me will be met with the utmost respect and understanding. If you’re interested then get in touch. We’ll talk about what’s brought you to therapy now and what you would like to be different. I can answer any questions you might have about the process, and we can go from there.