About Me

Hello, I'm Gina

I am a pluralistic counsellor. I began my counselling journey in 2011 and have continued since then learning and developing my practice. I had my placement within a primary school with Place 2 Be. I have also volunteered with an online counselling organisation with adults across the UK. I had my face to face placement within a health agency where adults had long term conditions.

I am a parent of 3 young people and have family experience of neurodiversity and emotionally based school avoidance. I spent 20 years within educational settings and have supported families of neurodivergent children and young people. I have worked in the third sector with health charities and have supported carers to both children and adults with health conditions or are bereaved.

My Story

Why the name Crann Beatha?

Throughout my counselling training journey I have been surrounded by the images of trees.

Crann Beatha (pronounced krann BAH - ha) means 'tree of life' and is a Celtic word. It often uses the Celtic knot in its symbol and this represents balance, harmony and the interconnectedness of life. The tree is often represented by an oak which is a strong tree which is resilient. The roots, trunk and branches represent the past, present and future.

In my daily life I need to be near trees - I love what they represent - strength, life, wisdom and the changing seasons of continuous personal growth.

Counselling explores life - both past, present and the future. The strength will come from yourself as we explore what has worked before and what can work moving forwards. You will come with your own wisdom and we will work together on growth - whatever that will mean for you.

You may come to counselling because your life is off balance and there it is not harmonious and you might be feeling disconnected in life - counselling through working together will help you to rediscover your identity and resilience and help you to work towards restoring balance and embracing self-development. The idea of envisioning hope and growth.

I like to use images from the natural world and also to use creative ways of working - through pictures, images, symbols - however that may be.

A tall pine photographed from its base, the trunk rising into a dark canopy

A Scots pine with bare lower branches reaching into a bright blue sky

A broad, solitary tree standing in a misty field beside a drystone wall

A gnarled, moss-covered tree with twisting bare branches in winter woodland

Trees photographed on my own walks

A tree collage made from brightly coloured buttons on canvas

A painted tree on canvas with coloured buttons forming blossom along its branches

A painting of a tree whose canopy is made of concentric circles in many colours

Artwork I have created

Credentials

Training & Accreditation

National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society — Individual Accredited Registrant

Outside the Therapy Room

A little more about me

I have worked professionally with life experiences the majority of my career. My work always brings me back to my love of the individual experiences.

Based in Scotland

I moved to Scotland in 2009 and adore the big open spaces of the natural environment. I especially enjoy being near water. I love to keep busy with my own crafting.

Continual learning

I love to learn and enjoy reading and researching new resources, strategies or techniques.

Person centred values

I am empathic, non-judgemental and value everyone as an individual. I work in an holistic way and am guided by your needs.