Meet the Team
The Simpson House Counselling staff team includes our Administrator and Volunteer Receptionists, a number of employed, volunteer and placement Counsellors, and those staff with Management responsibilities.
Our Counsellors work with individuals, couples and families who are aged 16 years and above, living in Edinburgh and Lothians and are affected by their own or someone else’s drug use.
Simpson House Counselling offers placements to qualified counsellors who want to develop their experience in working with those affected by drug use and to training counsellors studying at diploma level or above.
All these roles support the ongoing work of the project which is delivered at Simpson House and in HMP Edinburgh.
Liz - Administrator
I provide admin support and reception cover for the counselling team and have worked in Simpson House since May 2009. I have previous experience of being a support worker and doing reception work. I am currently co-facilitating a SMART recovery group in Simpson House.
Volunteer Receptionists
Our volunteer receptionists provide additional reception cover; welcome people to the building and facilitate their visit.
Carolyn - Counsellor
I was born and brought up in Sri Lanka, I married and lived in Cambridge for 25 years, where I developed and ran a Complementary Health Centre with my husband. My original training was in Body Oriented Psychotherapy. This included working with groups, relationships and individuals. I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling at East London University in 1996 and in 2008 I achieved the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Supervision. I have 12 years experience of working in a Young Person's Centre seeing clients aged 11 to 25. I spent five years developing and running a Children's Counselling and Play Therpay Project at CrossReach Counselling Lothian. I now work as a counsellor at Simpson House three days a week.
Daki - Counsellor
I was brought up in Zimbabwe, did my BSc (Hons) Biology in America and trained as a counsellor in England. I have experience of working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse, survivors of rape and sexual assault. I provide counselling in HMP Edinburgh and now more recently work in The South East Recovery Hub at the Castle project. I have also worked with a colleague to run a children's group with the Sunflower Garden Project.
Morna - Counsellor
I work as a counsellor in Simpson House, I have a Postgraduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and I’ve had experience of working within the health, addictions and homelessness fields. I offer counselling in both the Prison and the Community.
Rose - Counsellor
My original training was in nursing, specifically in the field of learning disabilities. I have been counselling since 2000 within which time I have set up a counselling service for staff and residents in a project for people with learning disabilities, I have counselled and provided group work for carers, provided one-to-one counselling for people with mental health issues, those with general counselling concerns and those affected by drug use through my work at Simpson House in both the Prison and Community settings. I have a Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling and a Certificate in Counselling Supervision. I am a member of the counselling professional body COSCA and I am a BACP Accredited member (MBACP Accred).
Volunteer & Placement Counsellors
Our volunteer and placement counsellors work as part of the Simpson House Counselling Team; providing counselling under clinical supervision for an agreed caseload of clients.
Jill Brookes - Senior Project Worker/Counsellor
I began training as a therapist in 1998, gaining an Advanced Diploma in Counselling. I worked for the Postnatal Depression service as deputy co-ordinator, therapist and supervisor. Previously I gained a Batchelor of Education.
I work in an intergrative way combining elements of Transactional Analysis, Psychodynamic and Person Centred Philosophy as well as Cognitive approaches. This gives me an extensive 'toolbox' which I can draw from to use the most effective 'tools' for a particular individual's needs. Most importantly we will use ourselves This is a process where the individual engages with the therapist to understand their feelings, underlying patterns of behaviour and beliefs in order that their life may be more fulfilled and complete. Finding their own solutions and shaking off old unhelpful patterns from the past, in favour of new ones that serve them well.
My philosophy is that if you broke your leg wouldn't you seek medical treatment? Yet, metaphorically many are injured and broken inside and emotionally 'limp along' experiencing a painful unfulfilled and limited life. To me, therapy can offer a way of healing such wounding; enabling and empowering a person to move on with their life.
Jane Edwards - Senior Project Worker/Counsellor
I provide counselling for individuals and couples, line management and training for placement counsellors, conduct research projects and assist with the day to day running of the project. When counselling, I create a safe space where clients can explore issues of their choice related to the past, present or future and find a way forward that works for them. I have worked as a counsellor since 2003, have a Diploma and Masters Degree in Counselling and hold BACP Accreditation (MBACP Accred). I am at Simpson House 3 days a week and am motivated by a desire to alleviate suffering and to make a positive difference to the lives of others.
Sarah Loeb - Senior Project Worker/Counsellor
(On maternity leave from Jan 2012)
As well as counselling clients I also manage the placement counsellors who work with the project. I am a BACP Accredited Counsellor (MBACP Accred) and have been counselling people affected by drug use since 2000. In addition I work as a trainer facilitating a COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills for Substance Use & Dependency.
I am qualified as a counselling supervisor, and have experience of conducting research including studies on post natal depression and the impact of counselling drug users on low incomes.
My counselling approach is Integrative, based on a belief that we all have capacity to make meaning of our existence. I integrate theories of Psychodynamic, CBT, Gestalt and Person Centred counselling using Personal Construct Psychology (PCP).
Before counselling I worked as a trainer, sexual health worker and with homeless people. As well as my Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, I have a degree in Psychology and a Postgraduate qualification in Community Education.
