ABOUT

About

Sometimes we all need a bit of extra support and for someone to listen and help us work through whatever is bothering us. We also believe that change and recovery are possible. We believe that everyone with emotional or mental health concerns or other issues and problems in life is entitled to have a voice and express that voice. Therapy and counselling offers a supportive, encouraging, empathic and non-judgemental space in which to express that voice. We are here to listen.

 

GADS provides therapy, CBT, counselling, psychotherapy, support, training and education for various forms of anxiety and depression, including generalised anxiety, low mood, existential depression, panic disorder, OCD, situational depression, SAD, health anxiety, major depression and other forms of anxiety and depression. We can also provide support for various other concerns, difficulties and problems too as we understand that anxiety and depression often co-occur with other emotional, mental health and personal difficulties. We also aim to raise awareness of mental health issues generally, in Scotland, whenever and wherever we can. Click the button below for the information tha applies to you.

''We all need someone to talk to, someone who listens, someone who understands''.

 

-Ritu Ghatovrey-

Experience

GADS Director, Alexandra Easton, is an accredited and qualified Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, Trainer/Tutor/Lecturer, Consultant and Group Facilitator with previous experience as a charity director, psychology researcher, charity trustee and facilitator. She holds specialised clinical qualifications in CBT Therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy) and undergraduate and postgraduate university degrees in Psychology, English, Research Psychology and other fields of Mental Health. She has additional qualifications in training and development, clinical supervision and in other therapies such as Stress Management Therapy and has attended training in self-harm, eating disorders, compassion focused therapy, suicide and much more. She aims to start a Doctorate in Psychology and Psychotherapy in 2019.

 

Our Director and our Affiliates are qualified and/or accredited therapists, counsellors and practitioners who engage in regular Clinical  Supervision and Continuous Professional Development (CPD). We all hold Professional Membership with various organisations (e.g. COSCA, BABCP, BACP, NCS, UKCP, BPS, NMC, ASFH, NHC), have Professional Indemnity Insurance, PVG/Disclosure Scotland Membership and ICO Data Protection Certificates.

 

GADS have a team of experienced therapists and counsellors have worked with many clients experiencing various forms of anxiety and depression. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommends CBT Therapy as the most effective form of therapy for a range of anxiety and depressive conditions. Consequently, CBT Therapy, in particular, is evidence-based. We do, however, advocate therapy and counselling being tailored as much as possible to each individual client and so, frequently, an integrative appraoch to therapy for anxiety and depression is often practiced,

 

Our Therapists and Counsellors also have experience with a wide range of other concerns, problems and mental health difficuties, including: body image, stress; self-esteem; eating disorders; confidence; assertiveness; identity; purpose and meaning; sexuality; relationships; career/work problems and much more.

 

GADS has an advantage over many service providers in that we not only have professional experience in working with a range of emotional and mental health concerns in various clinical, academic and support settings: some of us also know what it's actually like to experience and recover from personal issues first hand. This means we have an understanding of personal and mental health issues that many health professionals do not.

 

Since 2010, we have worked with over 1000 people with various emotional, mental health and personal issues, of all ages and backgrounds, individually, in groups, face-to-face and online.

History

GADS was founded by our Director Alexandra Easton who has experience as an accredited Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, Psychology Researcher, Mental Health Practitioner, Trainer and Director of a leading mental health charity. GADS is a branch of the private practice business, citizen17,  and believes in providing access to various types of help and support - both formal and informal.

 

Although we have academic and professional qualifications in psychotherapy, counselling and psychology, it's important to note that some of us also have personal experience of emotional and mental health issues and have now recovered. Some of us have been a carer/supporter of someone experiencing emotional or mental health issues too.  This means we have an understanding of personal and mental health issues that many health professionals do not. Since 2010, we have worked with over 1000 people with various emotional, mental health and personal issues, of all ages and backgrounds, individually, in groups, face-to-face and online.