You're an adult now. So why does it still feel so hard?
Support for adults who know their childhood was hard, but can't quite explain why.
Counselling in Edinburgh (office-based and outdoor) and online
Perhaps nothing happened that feels easy to point to. Or perhaps you know your family life was difficult, but have spent years minimising it, making excuses for others, or wondering whether you have any right to feel the way you do.
You might have grown up feeling responsible for a parent's wellbeing, learning to put other people's needs first, or trying to keep the peace in a family where there was little room for your feelings. Perhaps you were expected to be independent before you were ready, or treated as though you couldn't manage things for yourself.
These experiences can be difficult to put into words. If you find yourself saying that your childhood or family relationships were "just weird", "crazy", or "strange", scroll down to see how we could work together.
You don't need to have everything figured out
before you begin.
Book your free consultation
Starting counselling
Getting in touch with a counsellor can feel like a big step. You don't need to know exactly what you want to talk about or have a clear idea of what you're looking for.
We'll begin with a free 20-minute phone or online consultation. It's an opportunity to talk a little about what's bringing you to counselling, ask any questions you may have, and see whether working together feels right for you.
We'll explore what you hope to get from counselling and discuss how we might approach our sessions. That should help us decide if we want to work together.
I offer in-person counselling at my office on Forth Street in Edinburgh, as well as online, by phone, or outdoors through Walk & Talk therapy.
About me
I'm Joanna, a counsellor with a background in psychology and training in a range of therapeutic approaches including talking therapies, Brainspotting, somatic work, and creative methods.
My approach combines practical support for the difficulties you're facing now with a deeper exploration of the feelings and patterns that may sit underneath. Together, we can work towards a better understanding of yourself, your relationships and what you need to feel more settled in your life.
I'm particularly interested in how early relationships and childhood adversity can shape the way we feel about ourselves and relate to others. Sometimes, experiences that seemed insignificant to others, or were difficult to put into words, can have a lasting impact. I am passionate about helping people explore difficult-to-share experiences gently and with care.
You might recognise some of these experiences
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Emotional difficulties: Anxiety, persistent sadness, mood changes, feeling constantly on edge, or emotions that seem difficult to understand or manage.
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Self-worth and disconnection: Low self-esteem, feeling numb or emotionally flat, struggling to identify your needs, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others.
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Relationship difficulties: Finding it hard to trust, feeling responsible for other people's emotions, struggling to feel secure in close relationships, or finding yourself caught in familiar patterns.
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Physical symptoms: Fatigue, brain fog, persistent pain, digestive difficulties or disrupted sleep.
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Feeling stuck: A general sense of unease, difficulty adjusting to loss or life changes, or the feeling that something isn't right even when you can't quite explain why.
Let's take a walk
Walk and Talk Therapy is a valuable option for many people, not limited to any specific issue or diagnosis.
It’s particularly beneficial if you:
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Feel restored by nature
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Spend most of your day sitting and want to be more active
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Find traditional therapy settings too intense, formal, or confining
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Find eye contact or sitting still overwhelming.
Walking side by side, in motion, often helps clients think more clearly, feel more at ease, and connect better with themselves and their surroundings.
Before we begin Walk & Talk sessions, we’ll meet online or by phone to discuss how this way of working differs from traditional therapy. We’ll cover important topics like confidentiality in public spaces, health considerations, and practical aspects like clothing and footwear.
Qualifications
Currently: Doctoral student in Pluralistic Counselling
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5-year-long MSc degree in psychology UAM (Poland)
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MSc in Health Psychology with Stirling University
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MSc in Pluralistic Counselling with Abertay University
Fees
I offer short and long-term work depending on your preferences. We can meet in-person, online, or as walk-and-talk. Please contact me to discuss the fees if financing counselling is a barrier to access.
Initial consultation
Free
20-minute online or phone call session to explore your needs and for you to discover if I am the right therapist for you.
Standard Session
£65
My standard therapeutic session is 60 minutes.
Extended Session
£90
90-minute session. Perfect for those with a busy life who cannot commit to weekly sessions or those who want to explore complex topics without feeling rushed.