Jill Atkinson, BACP

Jill Atkinson trained in Psychology and began her professional journey teaching English in South Korea, an experience that sparked a lasting interest in how culture and society shape values and meaning. After returning to Scotland she built practical therapeutic experience working within the NHS and other mental health organisations, which deepened her commitment to a holistic approach to wellbeing. She completed the SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Group Work - a Cognitive Behavioural Approach, qualifying as a counsellor and developing particular expertise in helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and depression.

Jill also facilitates groups part time, leading workshops on self-compassion, low self-esteem and anxiety management, and she integrates learning from additional training into her practice. Her professional development includes Compassion-Focused Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Mood and Food, Somatic Therapy and Outdoor Therapy, all of which she weaves together to tailor support to each client. She is particularly interested in how people connect with their bodies, their communities and the natural world, and she encourages tuning into the senses and surroundings as part of the therapeutic process.

Jill believes counselling offers an opportunity to build greater self-awareness, to notice and question subconscious beliefs, and to strengthen trust in one’s own judgement. She sees therapy as a collaborative investment that can help people make more intentional choices, live authentically and find a deeper sense of purpose and contentment. She holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.