Jill Atkinson, BACP

Jill Atkinson uses a practical, evidence-informed counselling approach to help people who are feeling stressed, anxious or low. She draws on therapies that focus on thoughts, behaviours and self-compassion to help clients make small, useful changes. Jill works in a down-to-earth way that suits people looking for clarity and steady support.

Jill trained in psychology and then spent time teaching abroad, which shaped her interest in how culture affects values and meaning. On returning to Scotland she worked in NHS and mental health settings where she gained hands-on therapeutic experience. She completed the SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Group Work - a Cognitive Behavioural Approach, and uses that learning in one-to-one and group work.

She runs groups on self-compassion, low self-esteem and managing anxiety alongside individual sessions. Further continuing professional development includes Compassion-Focused Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Mood and Food, Somatic Therapy and Outdoor Therapy, and she blends these ideas into practical sessions. Jill often encourages clients to notice bodily sensations and surroundings as part of finding balance.

In sessions she aims to help people uncover habitual beliefs and notice emotions so they can try different choices. The focus is on building self-trust, improving communication and finding a sense of purpose. Jill sees counselling as an investment in greater wellbeing and practical change.

Her approach suits people who want straightforward, conversational therapy with tools they can use between sessions.

Therapeutic approaches and online access

Jill blends approaches that focus on thoughts and behaviours with practices that build self-compassion. Cognitive behavioural ideas look at how thoughts and actions keep problems going and suggest small experiments to change them; this helps with anxiety, low mood and unhelpful patterns. Compassion-focused ideas teach skills to reduce self-criticism and develop a kinder inner voice, which can ease shame and improve self-esteem.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. Jill will talk through your needs, goals and preferences and together decide which techniques to try first. She adapts methods over time so the work fits the person rather than forcing a single method.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging for practical flexibility. Video works well for deeper conversational work, phone can suit shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is limited, and chat or messaging can be useful for brief updates or when writing feels easier. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and travel commitments.