John MacDonald

John MacDonald


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Contact information

Contact John


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Therapist - Aberdeen

Aberdeen AB25
Sessions from £60.00

Features

  • Wheelchair accessible office
  • Concessionary rates

Availability

Monday afternoons and evenings

Tuesday evenings

Wednesday afternoons and evenings

Sunday afternoons and evenings

About me and my therapy practice

I am a Person-Centred Therapist working with adults, children and young people. I offer a calm, non-judgmental space where you can explore whatever you鈥檙e carrying at your own pace. I believe that you are the expert on your own life, and that meaningful change begins in a relationship where you feel safe, seen and genuinely heard.

Many of the people I work with are trying to make sense of themselves, their relationships and what life is asking of them. My work often centres around questions of identity: the 鈥淲ho am I?鈥 moments that can arise during life transitions, burnout, neurodivergence or periods of low mood. You may feel lost, disconnected from yourself or unsure how you fit into the world. Therapy offers space to explore this without pressure to have answers.

I also support people experiencing depression, anxiety, emotional overwhelm and suicidal thoughts. I have experience working with complex distress and prioritise safety, emotional containment and moving at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Relationships are often at the heart of our work, whether with partners, family, friends or yourself. Together, we can explore patterns such as people-pleasing or feeling disconnected, helping you better understand your needs.

Alongside this, I have extensive experience working with children and young people through both counselling and education, including neurodivergent individuals. I offer a gentle, developmentally attuned approach, using creative methods where helpful.

You don鈥檛 need to have everything figured out. We begin wherever you are.

Practice description

My practice offers a calm, grounded and non-judgmental space where you can bring whatever is on your mind, without pressure to present yourself in a certain way or have everything figured out.

Sessions are led by you. As a Person-Centred Therapist, I don鈥檛 take a directive approach or set a fixed agenda. Instead, I work alongside you, offering empathy, honesty and curiosity as we explore your experiences together. This might involve making sense of difficult emotions, understanding patterns in relationships or exploring deeper questions around identity and self.

We will move at a pace that feels manageable for you. Some sessions may involve talking things through, while others may feel quieter or more reflective. There is no expectation to share more than you are ready to, and you are always in control of what we explore.

I have experience supporting people with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm and suicidal thoughts. I work in a way that prioritises emotional safety and containment, particularly when things feel intense or hard to put into words.

For children and young people, I offer a gentle, developmentally attuned approach, sometimes incorporating creative or play-based methods where helpful. I also work collaboratively with parents and carers, while maintaining the child鈥檚 confidential space.

Therapy is a collaborative process, and my aim is to create a space where you feel safe enough to explore, reflect and begin to understand yourself more fully.

My first session

The first session is an opportunity for us to get a sense of whether working together feels right for you. There is no expectation to share everything straight away, and you are welcome to go at a pace that feels comfortable.

We will begin by talking a little about what has brought you to therapy and what you might be hoping for, but this doesn鈥檛 need to be fully formed. You can take your time, and it鈥檚 okay if you鈥檙e unsure where to start.

I may ask a few gentle questions to help understand your situation, but this is not a formal assessment or interrogation. The focus is on beginning to build a sense of safety, trust and connection.

You are also free to ask any questions about how I work, what to expect from therapy or anything else that feels important to you. The first session is as much about you getting a feel for me as it is about me understanding you.

For children and young people, the first session may involve meeting with a parent or carer initially, followed by time with the child or young person, depending on what feels most appropriate.

If after the first session you feel that the space is helpful, we can discuss ongoing sessions. There is no pressure to continue if it doesn鈥檛 feel like the right fit.

What I can help with

ADD / ADHD, Addictions, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Bereavement, Child related issues, Depression, Identity issues, LGBTQ+ counselling, Loss, Men's issues, Narcissism, Neurodiversity, Pet bereavement, Redundancy, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Sexual identity, Stress, Trauma, Work related issues

Types of therapy

Creative therapy, Humanistic, Person centred, Play therapy

Clients I work with

Adults, Children, Trainees, Young people

How I deliver therapy

Long-term face-to-face work, Online therapy

Languages spoken

English