Naikan psychotherapy in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

We are complementary health practitioners, not alternative health practitioners. This means that we work WITH the medical profession. If you have an illness or injury, or if you are going to embark on a new diet, fitness plan or if you have any uninvestigated symptoms, you must consult your medical doctor. 

Naikan in Edinburgh and Glasgow

Stuart: Holistic psychologist, psychotherapist, counsellor and solution focused psychoanalyst (also Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and NLP Practitioner)

Denise: Holistic psychologist, counsellor and complementary health therapist.

Stuart began his career with training in analysis, stress counselling and hypnotherapy. This training took 3 years to complete, over 200 assessed client cases under supervision, and a required client approval rate of 80%.  In 1996 he was assessed in his ability to provide analysis, hypnotherapy, stress management, stress counselling, NLP and complementary health therapies including specific training and coaching provision as part of an NVQ Level 4 in Training and Development assessment. This included assessment of lecturing provision for a local education authority. Since that time he has also trained in counselling and psychotherapy. He has also completed a variety of training courses in different models of psychology and philosophy, both eastern and western models.

In Naikan therapy the client is led through a series of meditations and self-analysis systems examining various elements of past and present.  Naikan is a system which changes the way we perceive the world, our experience and our lives past and present. I works by rebalancing our beliefs about how "fair", "good", "bad" or otherwise we think our experiences have been. 

We sleepwalk through much of our lives, driven by conditioned responses and with our attention on areas of things that may not be balanced or positive. Naikan, especially when combined with mindfulness training, can address this and lead us to have a far more positive, balanced and productive view of our life experiences past and present.

Naikan combines traditional ancient Buddhist meditation principles with Zen philosophy but can be applied in a complete secular way. There is no need to have any faith of any particular kind to benefit from Naikan. Journals and self assessment forms are often used in Naikan to assist in reflection.

Stuart has been using Naikan, Morita and Mindfulness in his practice with clients for many years. He also enjoys Naikan reflection led by tutors at the To Do Institute for his own wellbeing and personal & professional development.

In many cases clients have been diagnosed by medical professionals as having various pathologies or conditions. Often in psychoanalysis these labels are not very helpful since the therapist works with the person, not the condition. Again, unlike the HPC / NHS models of psychotherapy, in holistic psychology and psychoanalysis we do not "treat", nor do we "diagnose".  Where appropriate of course the client is referred to medical professionals for assistance. 

Stuart provides "holistic" psychology assistance drawing from a range of philosophies and models including western, multi faith, eastern, spiritual and alternative. Eastern models include Taoist healing methods and eastern Zen & Buddhist models including Morita and Buddhist Object Relation Theory, Naikan and Mindfulness. Meditation, Qi Gong and Reiki are also employed. Stuart has completed externally accredited training courses at levels 3 and 4 (vocational) and university modules at undergraduate, post graduate and certificate levels. He has also written externally accredited training courses in a range of methods and topics including NLP (Level 4), Anger management (level 5), Stress management (level 4), Mood disorder management (level 5), Joint NLP and Coaching (level 5), Life coaching (Level 4), Joint Coaching and counselling (Level 5), Japanese Holistic Practitioner (Level 5) and Holistic Therapeutic Practitioner (Level 4).

Stuart uses solution focused psychoanalysis drawing from the vast range of models and psychological schools of thought in the west. By having completed extensive counselling, psychotherapy, psychology, hypnotherapy, NLP, Coaching and philosophy training Stuart is able to draw on models and methods to meet the needs of the client. "Solution focused" can mean assistance based on assisting with a specific issue such as anger, blushing, public speaking, confidence, self image etc. Often however the "solution" the client is seeking is personal empowerment and self knowledge. He employs spontaneous style Qi Gong, Chi breathing, Zen Reiki, meditation, visualisation and mindfulness techniques from Buddhism in his practice. He also employs Taoist philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, interfaith philosophy and japanese complementary holistic styles in assisting his clients.

TaoDeChing - Lao Tze

Eastern Models are different from Western medical models in a range of ways including:

• There is no individuality in social psychology. Thinking we are completely separate individuals is a neurosis

• Empathy between practitioner and client is different. Rather than completely professionalised, the eastern practitioner  accepts that there is no separation between people, thus he or she partially "feels" the pain of the client.

• The practitioner and client are equal. There is no power imbalance

• Western pathology and diagnosis does not apply and is considered a negative influence

• The "victim" or "sick" role is something the client should not be permitted to hang on to or accept.

• There is no separation between psychology, theology, philosophy and therapy.

• There is no cartesian (from Descartes) mind body split. Indeed the body is often crucial for treating the mind

• Diagnosis, form filling, assessment and other reductionist methods (as often seen in NHS medical model) only serve to pathologise the client and encourage "victim" mentality. Written exercises should be focused on self knowledge and positive development.

• Energy healing methods like Qi Gung and Reiki together with meditation are a natural part of therapy.
  
• The client is encouraged to engage in lifestyle choices and changes to promote positive change and experiences. This is similar to a western life coaching model combined with eastern models of diet and nutrition. This views the client holistically as a whole and unique person, and not a "sick" person.
  
  
• Buddhism and Zen have a different model of the subconscious to western models. There is a greater spiritual  and deeper element in the Zen model. The eastern model emphasises becoming one with the world and not self-actualisation or individualisation. In lay mans terms the eastern model suggests that people need to be one with others and cease conflict and separation, as opposed to western models that tend to focus on making the person more separate.  The eastern model is based on the belief that we are social animals and not hermits, therefore successful and happy living requires us to interact with others and the environment. It has similarities to western social psychology.

Reiki in Psychoanalysis

In holistic psychoanalysis Reiki can be used unconsciously to attune the therapist to the patterns of the client's distress, promote release and healing, and increase intuition. In eastern philosophy there is no Cartesian divide (Descartes declared mind and body separate). Therefore when working with the body and mind as two sides of one entity, Reiki and body psychology principles can assist in holistic therapy practice.

Many of these are combined where appropriate in Transpersonal psychology / transpersonal psychotherapy. This does not mean having to convert to or follow any perticular faith or belief. Indeed a strength of transpersonal therapy is to look at common themes in faith and non-faith societies.

Qualifications and Standards

As with all therapies the practitioner should adhere to the National Occupational Standards (NOS Counselling) and have recognisable qualifications. These include ASET 3 and 4 awards.

Stuart: Integrated Therapeutic Counselling ASET Level 4, Psychotherapy ASET level 3 & 4, Counselling Grief and Bereavement ASET level 3, NVQ accreditation in appropriate area of competence, Multiple diplomas in Psychoanalysis and Stress Counselling.  

Denise holds an ASET Level 4 in Professional Therapeutic Counselling and other diplomas in counselling and psychotherapy. Both therapist have completed multiple university modules at various levels and both are dedicated to ongoing professional training at university level. 

Both therapists have faith based and eastern philosophy based awards at post graduate and doctorate level from the Interfaith Seminary. Stuart is a Senior Professor of Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, Holistic Psychology and Religious Studies, U.K. Division, Interfaith Seminary ( and Chancellor of the UK Division).

Stuart is a full member of the National Association of Counsellors, Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists. He is also a full member of the International Institute of Psychologists.   Stuart takes part in regular supervised meditation and self analysis studies with the To Do Institute as part of his ongoing supervision and CPD.

Denise is a CCC registered counsellor, Stuart is a NCP and NACHP registered psychotherapist and  counsellor.

We adhere to appropriate National Occupational Standards, carry professional insurance and support  regulation of therapists. We support the coming voluntary regulation of psychotherapy and counselling. Stuart is a CNHC registered hypnotherapist (voluntary regulation of hypnotherapy).

Clinic locations: Edinburgh and Glasgow

In the first instance drop us an email or use the feedback form to contact us. We can then advise whether we feel we can appropriately assist you.

To Contact Therapy Services 

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Would you like to train as a professional therapist and gain an award from a fully accredited awarding body? Click:  HERE

(Full member: Stuart, associate: Denise)

Assistance is not just for individuals. Assistance is available for couples, families and those who care for others.

  Would you like to train to be a CBT coach or consultant? Click HERE for training options

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http://scotlandtherapy.4mg.com
http://lifecoachingedinburgh.info

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http://lifecoachingglasgow.info