Starting – CM Counselling

Initial Consultation

Your first consultation is free.

After you get in touch, we can arrange a short, no-obligation consultation by telephone or online. This gives you an opportunity to say what is bringing you to counselling, ask questions and consider what you currently need. It also allows us both to decide whether working together feels like a good fit and discuss how we might proceed.

If we decide to work together, we can agree on an appointment time and discuss the practical arrangements before your first counselling session.

Like any relationship, a therapeutic relationship can take a little time to settle and feel comfortable. If you are able to, I usually recommend beginning with a few weekly sessions. We can then review how counselling is working for you and whether you would like to continue. You are always free to pause or end counselling at any time.

I live and work in Carnoustie. If you live nearby or can travel, we can arrange face-to-face counselling. We can also work online, by telephone, or use a blend of these if that is more convenient. If you are unable to travel, it may be possible for me to visit you at home, and I am happy to discuss this with you.

Online and Telephone Counselling

Online and telephone counselling offer convenient alternatives to meeting face-to-face. Research suggests that counselling can be effective in each of these forms. The best choice will usually depend on your preferences, circumstances and where you feel most comfortable speaking.

Your first consultation is free.

If we decide to work together, we can agree on an appointment time and discuss the practical arrangements before your first counselling session.

Online and Telephone Counselling

Online and telephone counselling offer convenient alternatives to meeting face-to-face. Research suggests that counselling can be effective in each of these forms.

The best choice will usually depend on your preferences, circumstances and where you feel most comfortable speaking.

Ann

24. April, 2026.

I came to counselling carrying a lot from my past that I had never really spoken about. I often felt on edge, overwhelmed, and unsure why certain situations affected me so strongly. From the beginning, Colin created a calm and steady space where I felt safe enough to start exploring these experiences at my own pace. What stood out to me was how he helped me understand the impact of trauma, not just emotionally but physically as well. It helped me realise that my reactions made sense, which was a huge relief. He never pushed too hard but gently supported me in making connections and finding ways to manage what I was feeling. The booklets he provided between sessions were incredibly helpful. They gave me something to come back to during the week and helped me make sense of things in my own time. They often put into words what I was struggling to express and made the work we were doing feel more continuous. I now feel more grounded and better able to understand and respond to my emotions. The work hasn’t always been easy, but for me it has been life-changing.

Stevie

I came to counselling when I kept ending up in failed relationships and just couldn’t figure this out myself. I’d either pull away, get anxious or feel like I was spoiling things on purpose. Working with Colin just made things click. He explains things in a really down-to-earth way, so it never felt heavy or complicated. It just felt like I could properly talk things through and start to see what was going on. I was never judged or pushed into anything. I went at my own pace but still felt like I was getting somewhere. After a month or so practicing things I’d lerarned I started noticing small changes in me about how I react to people, and they’ve actually made a bigger difference than I expected. I feel more like myself again.

Elaine

21. July, 2025.

I contacted Colin after a friend recommended him. I didn’t really know anything about Counselling as I’d never seen a therapist before. I’d recently been given a diagnosis for PTSD and was struggling. I knew exactly where it came from, but nothing I did seemed to help. Colin was really patient, and we went very slowly. He explained how anxiety works, how trauma can get stuck in the brain and body and suggested a technique he called ‘Rewind’ which he thought would help without me having to go too much into my past. I am so grateful we did this. Since we did, I no longer feel that I live with that old fear I’ve been struggling with. It all seems to have calmed down and I can breathe again. I am very grateful.

Stephen

14. July, 2025.

When I contacted Colin I was in a very dark place and had already hurt myself several times. I was in an abusive relationship and could not understand why I seemed so stuck and scared for my future. Colin was able to help me work out how stuff that happened to me in my childhood set me up for problems as an adult. It took many months but he stuck with me and I now know that my childhood was not something I deserved. I wasn’t to blame and he helped me see that and be safe again.

Dan

I went to Colin because I was in a long term relationship which I wanted but didn’t feel I could properly commit to. I was bullied by my father and knew I didn’t want to be a dad like him and this was holding my relationships possibilities back. I also never felt I was up to much at work and could hear myself doubting many of my decisions.

Colin helped me understand that my past didn’t have to set my future life in stone, that I was not a bully myself and was allowed to choose to be better than my earlier experiences. Working through what I now understand about my attachment style and my inner critic has helped me enormously.

Amanda

4. February, 2025.

I went to see Colin when I felt I was living under a very black cloud and struggled to see light at the end of the tunnel. I cannot recommend Colin enough. My sessions with him were in a very safe place where I could open up. Colin helped me understand Narcissistic Trauma. As a result, I now feel I'm in control of my life. The black cloud has gone and I am the happiest I have felt in years.

Hazel

I went to Colin because I felt I was a failure. I never did anything right except love my kids. It was them who had me go to Colin because I was crying so much and got upset even if something nice happened. I didn't feel I deserved anything nice. Colin helped me understand that I learned to think that way because of my earlier trauma. He helped me learn that I was a good person, mum and wife and could treat myself more kindly. I buy myself a little treat each week now because I deserve good things in my life. Colin helped me understand that.

Nicholas

23. January, 2025.

When I first met up with Colin, I was not really sure what was wrong in my life. I just felt I was drifting and when he asked me what gave me joy. I was staggered I couldn't come up with anything to say. As the weeks went by, we looked at my life patterns and I was able to piece together where my happiness had become lost, and it was a relief to find myself again. I am on a better path now and very grateful for Colin's help.