Therapy with Ailsa

A professional profile

Ailsa is the consummate professional with a broad spectrum of experience of psychology based therapy that transcends in to a confidence you can feel. Her assessment process is comprehensive and will inform the way forward with children, young adults and adults. She is very friendly and warm with a smile that will put whoever is in front of her at ease, she is passionate about detailed assessment and will design a program of therapy that will make a difference.

Ailsa has over 10 years experience working in NHS, and CAMHS services. She has gained extensive experience in working with young people and families experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties. More recently she has moved into private practice.

Prior to studying Psychology at university she had a professional career in the Construction and Pharmaceutical industries working in the UK and Hong Kong.

Her approach is grounded in the principle of secure attachment, relationships where a trusting relationship offers a secure foundation to understanding difficulties and safely explore change.

Family relationships are fundamental to mental health across the lifespan and I take an individual and systemic approach to understand the whole family unit and the strengths and challenges within the family unit. While thinking about changing beliefs and behaviours, she also holds the impact of potential neurodevelopmental factors such as ADHD and Autism in mind.

When Ailsa is working with children, she will have some sessions with the parents of the child and will engage them every step of the way.

Training and Qualifications

Core Psychology and Clinical Training

MA in Psychology (Hons First Class), University of Glasgow

MSc in Applies Psychology for Children and Young People (Commended), University of Edinburgh

Additional Clinical Training (Therapy)

Family Therapy- Trained to Systemic Practitioner Level, The Family Therapy Network Accredited by

AFT (Association of Family Therapy)

CBT for Eating Disorders, NHS Education for Scotland

Incredible Years Parenting Programmes, NHS Education for Scotland

Triple P Parenting Programmes, NHS Education for Scotland

Mellow Parenting- Attachment Based , NHS Education for Scotland

Additional Neurodevelopmental Assessment Training

WISC-V and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children/WAISIV

ADOS-V (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule)

ADIR (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised)

DIVA and Young DIVA (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD)

Professional Registration and Accreditation

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Association of Family Therapy (AFT)

Areas of Expertise and Services

Therapy for Mood Challenges

The focus and symptoms of mood difficulties tends to shift with age. Young children’s distress generally focusses on separation from caregivers while older children’s anxieties are around relationships and self-image. Adults will also have a range of mood changes. Again after the assessment stage for children, young adults, and adults, Ailsa will use evidence based therapeutic techniques to bring change and personal growth. She will also provide evidence based therapy matched to the individuals developmental stage and areas of expertise.

Broadly speaking these are:

Anxiety and panic attacks
Low mood and depression
Emotional changes in circumstances
Obsessions and compulsions
Anger and emotional regulation difficulties
Phobias
Low self-esteem
Issues around eating and food
Tics and involuntary movement response
Complex bereavement
Family separation
Physical symptoms and psychosomatic difficulties

Neurodevelopmental profiling

This can clarify if your child or other family members difficulties are ‘brain based’ and if a full assessment for ADHD, Autism, sensory processing differences is needed. The process of screening will provide a profile of individual learning, communication, social and emotional preferences and challenges, and individualised recommendations to meet these. Where appropriate, Ailsa will offer therapeutic input to the individual and families and can liase with schools to support the implementation of recommendations. The assessment will direct any further diagnostic assessment or therapeutic input involving another psychologist.

Parenting Work

For early years difficulties helps to address eating, sleep, toilet training and emotional regulation. Where appropriate, screening for early indicators of neurodevelopmental differences can help to direct more focussed interventions and direct later assessment.

For behavioural difficulties helps parents to make sense of behaviour they may be struggling to understand while helping to improve the relationships that underpin social and emotional development factors in difficulties. This assessment is not diagnostic but can direct decisions about further assessment for specific conditions. It provides an overview of strengths and challenges in learning, attention, social communication and life skills and recommendations for improving conditions for learning.

Family therapy work

Family therapy helps people in close relationships to share and explore difficult thoughts and emotions. Developing wider perspectives such as understanding intergenerational patterns, family culture and roles within the family can help to understand how we see ourselves and others.

“I just wanted to let you know ‘R’ is doing absolutely brilliant, I am so so proud of her. All summer holidays were fab and she’s been back at school since last Wednesday and everything is fantastic, no calls and no episodes. I want to say thank you as you have been such a massive support to us both.”