Jill Atkinson , BACP

Jill Atkinson trained in psychology and then spent time teaching English in South Korea, an experience that sparked a lasting interest in how culture and society shape values and meaning. On returning to Scotland, she worked therapeutically across NHS and mental health organisations, where her commitment to a holistic approach to wellbeing deepened.

Jill completed the SCOTACS Diploma in Counselling and Group Work - a Cognitive Behavioural Approach, a qualification focused on CBT-informed counselling and group facilitation, and is also associated with BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She practices as a qualified counsellor and works part time as a group work therapist, leading groups on self compassion, low self esteem and managing anxiety.

Her continuing professional development includes training in Compassion-Focused Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Mood and Food, Somatic Therapy and Outdoor Therapy, which she integrates into her work where appropriate. Jill is especially interested in interconnectedness - the relationships between body, community and the natural world - and values practices that invite attention to sensation, environment and embodied experience.

Jill describes counselling as a pathway to greater self awareness, helping people to recognise underlying beliefs and emotions, try new ways of responding, and cultivate more purposeful and authentic lives. She approaches therapy with a sense of privilege and commitment to supporting clients as they explore change and personal growth.

Evidence informed approaches for online support

Jill draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to help people notice patterns of thought and behaviour that contribute to stress and low mood, and to develop practical skills for managing anxiety and building healthier habits. This approach is helpful for issues like anxiety, depression and unhelpful thinking patterns.

She also integrates Compassion Focused Therapy techniques, which encourage a kinder, more understanding relationship with oneself and can be especially useful for shame, self criticism and difficulties with self esteem. When helpful, Jill brings in somatic-informed practices that invite attention to bodily sensations as part of emotional processing and regulation.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Jill works collaboratively with each person to identify the methods that best fit their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting the focus as progress unfolds.

Online sessions - whether by video call, phone, live chat or text based messaging - offer flexibility to fit therapy into busy lives and make access easier for people who are remote or have scheduling constraints. These options allow consistent contact and continuity of care while supporting a range of communication preferences and therapeutic styles.