Holistic psychology 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. 

Psychotherapy , Holistic psychology & Psychoanalysis 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. He has recently completed a MSc Psychology, award date 31 July 2011.

Psychoanalysis is a very specific form of psychological therapy which does not have the same characteristics as CBT or other psychotherapies often seen in the NHS. Psychoanalysis is a process of cooperative discovery and empowerment between therapist and client where the client's issues are not seen as medical, nor as conditions to "treat". The relationship between therapist and client is professional, yet complex. The dynamic is not one of an all knowing all seeing expert "helping" or "treating" a client, but rather the therapist is a guide and "fellow traveler" on the client's journey.

In psychoanalysis and holistic psychology the person is seen as a whole, not as a "patient" who has "conditions" to "treat". Thus a major aspect of the work between therapist and client is on self exploration and development. Because a process of development is very personal, dynamic and fluid, assessment methods can not be easily used to identify specific outcomes. By the very nature of the work, the client often does not know exactly what they are aiming to "achieve" from the process, merely that they need to work on their personal 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 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.

Hypnotherapy and NLP are used where appropriately, including the use of hypno-analysis, a trance based form of psychoanalysis. These methods can also be used for gentle behaviour modification.

Naturally analytical and listening skills which also exist in psychotherapy and counselling are often used in coaching, personal training, NLP, hypnotherapy, psychology and generally in holistic and complementary therapies.

Holistic psychology and psychoanalysis is often guided by theory and thinking from subjects including Eastern Medicine, Philosophy, Theology, Social Policy, Health Education and Psychology. Stuart and Denise have completed a range of training courses and qualification courses in these topics and are committed to further University study of these topics in order to inform and develop professional practice.

Denise began training in complementary health in 2004 and has completed training in crystal therapy, nutritional therapy, herbalism, life coaching, counselling, oriental health diagnosis, hypnotherapy and complementary therapy. Methods include coaching, energy kinesiology, relaxation therapy, visualisation, meditation and holistic psychology.  Denise has completed a range of vocational training awards externally accredited at levels 4 and 5. She has also completed undergraduate university modules in social policy, health, biology, counselling and psychology. Denise is a complementary health therapist and holistic psychologist. She also assisted Stuart in co-writing the Level 4 Holistic Therapy Practitioner training course and elements of the Japanese Holistic Practitioner (level 5) course.

TaoDeChing - Lao Tze

There are many different sorts of psychological therapy and theory. These include:

• Personal Development therapy: Using listening skills and appropriate therapy skills to assist a client in moving forward in their lives and tackling blocks and barriers to progress.
• Personal emotional therapy: Using listening skills and appropriate therapy skills to assist a client in moving forward in their lives and tackling emotional issues and problems.
• Clinical psychotherapy: Due for  regulation: Using  specific psychotherapy skills and methods to address clinical conditions and mental health conditions directly. 
• Pastoral therapy: Using listening skills and appropriate faith related therapy skills to assist a client in moving forward in their lives and tackling spiritual and faith issues.
• Couples therapy: Using couples facilitation and group facilitation skills, listening skills, negotiation skills and other methods to enable better communication and understanding.
• Addictions therapy: Using listening skills and appropriate therapy skills including motivational models to assist a client in moving forward in their lives and tackling addictions and dependencies.
• Person Centred therapy: A particular method of very much "listening skills" driven therapy.
• Humanistic therapy: A method very much focused on achieving balance and progress in areas of life leading to an optimum state of well being.
• Psychoanalytical therapy: Traditionally psychotherapy with it's roots in Jung and Freud. Driven to tackle deep underlying issues and patterns. Business analysis and NLP analysis models are also common.
• Transactional Analysis: Related to psychoanalysis it is a modern model of analytical therapy and uses modified patterns and terminology. Very useful in coaching and counselling methods, especially where relationships and interpersonal dynamics are being examined.
• Primal therapy: Based on Psychodynamic psychotherapy this deals with primal and crucial experiences, often using rich imagery in the therapy process.
• Philosophical theory: A number of schools of philosophy in both the East and West have contributed a range of models and ideas relating to mental health and how human beings think.
• Theology: A number of religions in the East and West have contributed methods that can be used in a secular way to assist people. Just as many people enjoy Yoga or Tai Chi in a secular manner, so mindfulness and meditation techniques can assist without any religious belief. 
• Gestalt psychology: A model which is useful in a number of ways and is often used in coaching, NLP, counselling and psychotherapy. Particular useful models include explanations of how past events effect us now. Gestalt is highly influenced by mindfulness and Buddhist philosophy.
• Ritual and Symbolism: A number of great thinkers such as Jung, Wagner, Freud and Nietzsche have contributed to the debate on how symbolism, art and ritual effect us consciously, spiritually and unconsciously. Various religions in the East and West have also contributed to the debate. These principles can be used in holistic therapy to guide personal medications and self development exercises. Many of these are combined where appropriate in Transpersonal psychology / transpersonal psychotherapy. This does not mean having to convert to or follow any particular faith or belief. Indeed a strength of transpersonal therapy is to look at common themes in faith and non-faith societies.

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.

Cognitive Behavioural Training / Therapy / Coaching

CBT or CBC is referred to by different therapists as either Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Cognitive Behavioural Training / Coaching. The difference is in the approach and practice style of the therapist. As the name suggests CBT is about:

• Cognitive: changing perceptions and the way we feel about things
• Behavioural: changing the way we behave towards things
• Therapy: The change process (alternatively Coaching in CBC)
  

CBT works best when combined with other methods and styles like life coaching and hypnotherapy. A good CBT practitioner will have comprehensive psychotherapy and counselling skills. A common form of CBT is "Stress Inoculation Therapy" which is a process used to address phobias, fears and feelings of discomfort.

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.

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 Institute of professional psychologists: IPP. Denise is registered with the CCC Counselling register and is also an associate IPP member. 

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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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