Mary Leonard

Edinburgh Counsellor and Psychotherapist

ASSOCIATE of THE LIFE ACADEMY

About Me

I have always been fascinated by stories - those which we tell ourselves and those which have been handed down to us. I rebelled against the story given to me by my own family; it simply didn’t fit with the person I felt myself to be. Having my internal world and external reality in perpetual conflict made me feel awkward and alienated – a bit of a misfit.

My way of dealing with it was to leave home at the earliest opportunity and to keep moving from place to place. I finally learned, through personal therapy, that the solution did not lie in other places or with other people, but inside myself.

It was through this working partnership of client and therapist that I learned to be more confident and authentic, unafraid to acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses, and this led to freedom and growth.

So often it can seem we are at the mercy of others and have little or no control over our own lives. Relationships can be complex, challenging and restrictive, as if someone else is telling our life story for us. It is only when we become aware of what we really want and need for ourselves that we begin to re-write our own stories from a more honest perspective

Approach

I work from a wholistic perspective, seeing my role as counsellor as someone who listens, observes, speaks truthfully and challenges when necessary, and I encourage my clients to do the same!

My practice is open to anyone aged 16 and over from all backgrounds and abilities. As a relationship-based counsellor I also work with couples and intergenerational relationships i.e. parents and children.

Initial sessions are offered without obligation. It is an opportunity for us to see if we can work together in a meaningful way. If you feel I am not able to offer what you are looking for in a therapist, or if I feel my competence is not the best fit for your particular requirements, I will do my best to offer onward referral, if requested.

Education

Qualifications:

·      Post Graduate Diploma in Human Relations and Counselling- Human Development Scotland (Glasgow)/Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

·      HNC Integrative Counselling- Edinburgh College

 CPD:

·      Neurodivergence

·      Psychedelics in mental health treatment

·      Trauma Processing

·      Working with the Pre-Suicide State of Mind

·      The Individual in Relationship and in the Group

·      Domestic abuse and coercive control

Experience

·      Individual and couples counsellor - PF Counselling Service, Edinburgh

·      Workplace and organisational counsellor

·      Place2Be – children 5-12 years old, school- based service.

·      PF Counselling Service and youth service – young adults 18-25 years old.

·      Establishing and running an accessible counselling service for a homeless charity - Social Bite, Edinburgh

·      Facilitating reflective practice sessions for those who work in the homeless sector. -SHAPE (Strategic Homeless Action Partnership Edinburgh)

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Expertise

·      Trauma/CPTSD

·      Suicidal feelings/Loss of hope/Stress

·      Relationships/Attachment/Self-Esteem

·      Stress/anxiety (personal, work, academic)

·      Loss/Grief/Bereavement

·      Couples/Family relationships

Memberships

• Registered Member BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) 00977743

• Counsellor Member COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland) 5029

• Senior Associate Member APPCIOS (Association for Psychodynamic Counselling in Organisational Settings) 1225

• Trainee Member BPC (British Psychoanalytic Council)

• PVG membership 1702 1162 2397 0338 for work with children and adults

Fees

Initial Session: £60

Individual Session: £60

Couples/family members: £80

Location

I work from the Life Academy Wellbeing Centre at 3B Greenhill Park, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh EH10 4DW. The Centre is situated in a transport hub and is easily accessible by bus or car. Free, private parking is available on request.

Contact

To make an appointment or discuss whether I am the right therapist for you, please complete the form below. I will try to respond to you within three days.
I look forward to hearing from you.