Isla Donaldson, NCPS

Isla Donaldson is a counsellor who helps people reconnect with themselves and use their immediate experience as a resource for living. She creates a collaborative, nonjudgmental space where the focus is guided by what matters most to the client, moving alongside them with presence, understanding, support and gentle challenge as they process difficult emotions and memories.

Her work is rooted in a person-centered, relational way of working that trusts each person’s innate capacity for growth. Isla pays close attention to in-the-moment sensations and feelings, using somatic and trauma-informed methods to expand awareness, process emotion and support nervous system regulation. This embodied focus aims to develop self-awareness, self-acceptance and a more grounded sense of safety that can build resilience, clarity and self-trust.

Over the last five years she has supported both adults and young people with issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, and has particular experience with trauma, sexual assault and self-harming behaviours. She holds a first-class Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanistic Counselling Practice and the NCPS credential, a recognised professional counselling qualification, and continues to pursue additional training in areas including somatics and embodiment, trauma therapies, Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems, attachment, sex and sexuality, safeguarding and applied suicide intervention.

Isla aims to be flexible with scheduling and will try to accommodate sessions outside listed time slots where possible. She encourages anyone who is considering therapy to get in touch to discuss what has brought them to therapy now, what they would like to be different, and any questions about the process.

Integrating somatic and person-centered approaches in online therapy

Isla works from a blend of client-centered, somatic and trauma-focused approaches that translate to online settings. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the client’s experience guides the pace and direction of work - this approach supports issues like self-esteem, relationship difficulties and life purpose by building self-trust and clarity.

Somatic Therapy pays attention to bodily sensations and in-the-moment feelings as valuable information. It can help people who experience anxiety, trauma responses or disconnection from their body to notice, regulate and resource their nervous system in gentle, practical ways. Trauma-Focused Therapy concentrates on processing traumatic memories and their present-day effects, offering tools to reduce overwhelm and improve emotional regulation over time.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process - Isla will work with each person to identify what feels most helpful based on their needs, goals and preferences. Online therapy offers practical flexibility: video calls allow face-to-face work, phone sessions provide an audio-only option, and live chat or text-based messaging can suit those who prefer written interaction. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to access registered professionals from home or other convenient locations.