Will you help us end HIV stigma?
HIV Scotland is now offering free therapy and counselling for people living with HIV in Scotland.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
In the UK, people living with HIV are twice as likely to experience problems with their mental health than the general population. Therapy and counselling have different benefits to help you understand your thoughts, feelings, relationships and behaviours.
Please also look at our Life Coaching as it may be what you are looking for!
Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues. Sometimes the term "counselling" is used to refer to talking therapies in general, but counselling is also a type of therapy in its own right. These sessions are currently offered by Shingirirai Musunhe and Mary Gray.
CBT is based upon the theory that thoughts, feelings, what we do and how our body feels are all connected. If we change one of these we can alter the others. When people feel worried or distressed we often fall into patterns of thinking and responding which can worsen how we feel. CBT works to help us notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns so we can feel better. CBT mainly focuses on the 'here and now', rather than focusing on our early life or the past. These sessions are currently offered by Shingirirai Musunhe and Mary Gray.
(No Spaces at this time)
CAT is an integrative therapy which draws on psychoanalytic theories to make sense of how we form relationships with ourselves and others, and draws on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to make sense of how resulting patterns of thinking, feeling and coping can develop and keep someone stuck. Therapy focuses firstly on understanding these patterns and 'mapping' (drawing) them out, and then focuses on identifying 'exits' - new, healthier ways of responding. These sessions are offered by Dr. Balls, but there are limited spaces available.
Counselling Psychology is a branch of Applied Psychology that has humanistic underpinnings and also adheres to the science of psychology. Due to the training approach, we are able to draw upon a variety of theories, approaches, frameworks and therapeutic techniques. These sessions are offered by Dr. Vote, but there are limited spaces available.
Currently we have 4 practitioners available providing therapy and counselling sessions. You will be able to register your interest with your practitioner of choice, however all places are available on a first come first serve basis.
'I believe in the transformative power of a trusting, collaborative relationship and the guiding principles of my practice have always been kindness, empathy and respect. I use a talking therapy approach to encourage the development of a deeper understanding of self and others.' - Mary Gray Read more
'When two people meet and they can see themselves in the other, all barriers nurtured by conditioning are dissolved. A connection at the deepest level is then possible. The therapeutic relationship strives to be this connection, where there is no judgement or prejudice, only understanding and compassion.' - Shingi Musunhe Read more
''In my work, I do not believe in adopting an expert position, instead, I work alongside people to try and help them understand themselves better and make the changes they want to achieve. I am a firm believer that being open, honest and gently challenging are the vital ingredients of good therapy". Read more
Due to high demand, Birgit currently has no spaces available. Read more