Mark Hepburn | Accredited Counsellor | WESTHILL | NCPS

Mark Hepburn

Member Status: Accredited

Member No: NCS20-00646

Location: WESTHILL

How do we engage in counselling sessions?

Through face to face contact, telephone counselling, video conferencing and other forms of social media and communication apps. Remote counselling has taken a greater significance over the last few years as an effective form of intervention.

What can you expect?

People tell me that I'm warm, funny and really good with people and I feel I bring this to my client work. I'm a great believer that clients need to feel safe and develop a sense of trust before the process of sharing can really evolve in to the dynamic process I believe provides the best opportunity for change and developing insight. I think what underpins this is the belief that a tight rope walker wont let go unless they feel they have a safety net to catch them, perhaps clients are the same in that regard. I firmly believe counselling is a collaborative process built on a strong therapeutic relationship between Counsellor and Client and there is lots of evidence to suggest the value of this is significant in the outcome for a client.

My professional experience:

In my role as an experienced counsellor over the last 25 + years or so I've worked with a wide range of clients in both in-patient settings and community. Dealing with issues such as Addiction, Stress, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety and Bereavement. I also work with not only individuals but also couples and have extensive experience of group work. My philosophy of counselling has evolved over the years but what has never changed is my dedication to the client and a desire to use my skills in an individual and holistic way to their benefit.

Clinical Supervision: A critical component within counselling practice and I am dedicated to the development of counselling staff across the full spectrum of the profession. I see supervision as a privilege and welcome this as an addition to my counselling practice.

  • Qualifications & Experience
    Initially trained in the field of Addiction Counselling, working with clients experiencing dependency on Alcohol, Drugs & Gambling, later this included aspects of Eating Disorders and Sex Addiction. I hold a Diploma from the Hazelden Foundation, a world leader in addiction treatment based in Minnesota, USA and I'm a fully Accredited Counsellor with the Addiction Professionals (FDAP). Further training followed in working with affected families, complex relationships and the wider spectrum of Mental Health & Emotional Well-being. Now trained in TRiM Trauma Risk Management and (CPT) Cognitive Process Therapy for Trauma Treatment

    As a professional counsellor i believe we are always learning both directly and indirectly. I have a strong commitment to learning and continued professional development through reading, webinars, courses and colleague supervision. After many years dedicated to working in Addiction, I returned to University to undertake an honours degree in person centred Counselling & Psychotherapy. My current core certification includes the following:

    Hazelden Diploma in Addiction Counselling
    Diploma in Eating Disorder Training
    Families & Working with Addicted Families Training
    Drug Collection & Medical Review Officer Training
    BA (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy
    Cosca Certificate in Clinical Supervision
    Scotland's Mental Health First Aider Trained
    Asist Suicide Prevention
    TRiM Trauma Risk management
    CPT Cognitive Process Therapy

    Providing Counselling & Mental Health services across a range of private individuals, business and industry.
  • What I can help with
    • Abortion
    • Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
    • Addiction (e.g. Alcohol, Computer games, Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex, Smoking)
    • Adoption
    • Ageing and related issues
    • AIDS / HIV
    • Anger Management
    • Anxiety
    • Assertiveness / Self-confidence / Self-esteem
    • Bereavement / Loss
    • Bullying
    • Cancer
    • Carers
    • Cultural issues
    • Depression
    • Disability
    • Divorce & Separation
    • Eating disorders
    • Emotional issues
    • Family
    • Financial difficulties
    • Gender identity
    • Generally unhappy with your life
    • Illness and dying
    • Mindfulness
    • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Panic attacks
    • Parenting skills
    • Phobias
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD
    • Pregnancy related issues
    • Relationships
    • Self-defeating behaviours
    • Self-esteem
    • Self-harm
    • Sexuality Identity
    • Shyness / Social Phobia
    • Spirituality
    • Stress
    • Suicidal feelings
    • Trauma
    • Violence / Victim support
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