About me
Hello and welcome. I'm Angela, a Senior Accredited Counsellor, Children & Young People's Therapist, EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, Rewind Trauma Therapist and Clinical Supervisor based in Dalkeith, Midlothian. I work in person and online from a Psychodynamic perspective, integrated within a Person-Centred approach. I also offer Animal Assisted Therapy - the option to include dogs in your sessions. I love helping people to recover from challenging life experiences that can cause us to struggle with mental health. Contact me to find out how I can help you!
Angela Robb
Counsellor MNCS (Snr Accred) | CYPT | EMDR Practitioner | Rewind Trauma Therapist | Clinical Supervisor
EMDR & Rewind Trauma Therapy
EMDR Therapy is a powerful, evidence based treatment which uses bilateral eye movements to process post trauma symptoms. Suitable for treating a wide range of traumatic experiences which often underpin anxiety and depression and post trauma symptoms. Traumatic experiences are distressing events that occur outside our window of tolerance and can leave us with unhelpful reactions to present day triggers, such as panic attacks and phobias or unexplained physical sensations. I am an experienced, EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, and I have successfully healed clients from their traumatic experiences with this approach since 2017. I am also registered as a Rewind Trauma practitioner with the International Association for Rewind Trauma Therapy. Rewind is a fast, effective treatment which stops involuntary recall of traumatic memories and PTSD symptoms. Described as 'closure without disclosure' this therapy is suitable for survivors and witnesses of life threatening events. EMDR and Rewind are both evidence based therapies and may be used to treat adults, children and young people. Screening for suitability essential. Contact me to find out more.
COUNSELLING FOR ADULTS
Financial worries, redundancy, career change and transition are all common stressors today. Work place harassment, work related stress and conflict with employers can also impact our mental health. Juggling work with parenting or caring for ageing parents can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Other major life events that can present us with challenges to our mental wellbeing include relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, loss and bereavement, infertility, miscarriage and post natal depression and family conflict. I have personally found counselling to be hugely helpful in supporting me through my own difficult life experiences. It would be my privilege to help you with yours. I can't make your problems go away, but together we can work on making them feel more manageable.
COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that provides young people with a safe and confidential space to explore their thoughts and feelings around difficult life experiences. Young people often have concerns around school, relationships, identity, self-image, loss and the future. Feeling heard and understood can alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms, reduce the urge to self-harm and improve confidence. I have experience of a wide range of issues and offer a non-judgmental LGBT+ safe zone. Neurodiverse clients also warmly and sensitively welcomed.
CHILD LED PLAY AND CREATIVE THERAPY
Children communicate through play. There is a sense of safety available to children by externalising their internal world through metaphors and symbolism. Difficult life experiences that cannot be easily spoken about by young children may be processed through child-led play and creative therapy in the presence of a trained and experienced children's counsellor. Your child will be offered a selection of toys and creative materials to choose from and allowed to express themselves safely and without direction. Children have an innate ability to heal from psychological wounds. This is a process that can take some time and is different for each person so I cannot be prescriptive in how long your child might need therapy. I hold a Diploma in Higher Education in Counselling Children and Young People and have worked with children in primary and secondary school settings. I have undertaken extensive post qualifying training to further my knowledge and skills in working with CYP including Child & Adolescent EMDR Therapy Part 1.
WALK AND TALK THERAPY
Get out in the fresh air while you work on your mental health. Outdoor therapy can provide a much-needed respite from the distractions, technology and chaos of everyday life. It can also help alleviate Zoom fatigue, a growing phenomenon as we continue to work and learn remotely. Join me on quiet walking trails in and around beautiful Midlothian and East Lothian whilst talking about what's important for you. Walking in nature can be beneficial for easing mild depression and anxiety and for getting your body moving in a healthy way.
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
Born out of lockdown necessity, my dogs have been helping clients in Counselling and Psychotherapy sessions since 2020. I have found them particularly helpful in supporting clients with their recovery from complex grief. They are also great for autistic teens who may find it difficult to engage in traditional talking therapy.
Including animals in therapy helps clients to open up and feel more at ease. Dogs are a mood lifter and an ice breaker. They are honest, empathetic and naturally authentic. They don’t judge and they’re not vengeful. They live in the moment. Animal assisted therapy can help with many issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems and trauma.
Getting up close to the animals - cuddling, touching, stroking - can help clients feel calmer and more connected. It can stimulate the senses and lower blood pressure and heart rate. If someone is depressed, or shutdown, this can be really helpful.
What happens in a session will depend on you, the issues you’re bringing to therapy and the location. Sessions might include stroking, touching, watching or walking with the dogs.
I hold a Diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy and comply with animal welfare legislation. Animal assisted therapy sessions are very limited and the dogs' participation cannot be guaranteed.
CLINICAL SUPERVISION
I am an experienced, qualified clinical supervisor with experience of working with adults, children and young people in voluntary and private sector settings.
Please contact me for an initial chat if you are a student or recently qualified counsellor/psychotherapist interested in receiving clinical supervision. I can provide supervision either ad-hoc or on a regular basis. Reduced fees are available for students.
Accreditations and Memberships
AVAILABILITY
Hello, I currently have a full case load. My next availability is expected around the middle/end of March. I update my availability here regularly or you can email me to enquire.