Our Therapy Room
Gavin McDonald
Counselling. He/him.
When? Fridays at Studio 70
Gavin is a qualified Person Centred Therapist holds a Post Graduate Diploma and Psychotherapy from Strathclyde University. He is Managing Director of LPG Counselling, a Glasgow based counselling practice, which he co-founded with Laura Finnell and Paul Johnson. LPG Counselling’s aims are to make therapy affordable; accessible and to promote the Person Centred approach to therapy.
As a Person centred therapist his focus is on learning what it is like to be you. He aims to enter your world so that he can travel with you, on your mental health journey, and can experience with you the difficulties and joys that you’ll encounter along the way. And although he will not advise you which road to take next: he will accept and respect the decisions you make for yourself even in the times you find it difficult to do this for yourself.
He believes that it is through this acceptance of you fully for who you are that provides the support and freedom that you need in order for you to find the strength to heal and grow. With Gavin, you won’t just look at the bits that don’t work but you’ll also look at the bits that do to fully appreciate the landscape that is your life. You’ll work together to get you to that place where you want to be in your life – and if you don’t get you there, he’ll definitely get you started.
Gavin has experience working with a range of clients, of all ages, with a huge variety of presenting issues. His experience has focused, particularly, with working with people who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and people suffering from alcohol and drug dependency issues. However, he will work with anyone who feels they could benefit from counselling.
Hazel McCartney Therapies
Therapeutic Massage & Councelling. She/Her.
When? Tuesdays at Studio 70
Ever wondered what stands between you and wholeness? …me too and that is why I have dedicated the last 25 years exploring what gets in our way.
I have practised therapeutic massage and integrated therapeutic counselling (among other modalities) with a focus on bringing connection and awareness to the patterns and habits that stand between us and a sense of balance and wellbeing.
I know, from my own (ongoing) therapeutic journey, how vulnerable it can feel entrusting the most tender wounds and inner truths to another person. That is why it’s an amazing honour to still be offering safe space where clients can feel welcomed, resourced and rested. In this therapeutic container there is potential for exploring blocks, patterns, beliefs and attachments that contribute to suffering or inbalance in the body, heart and mind.
In my experience, when pain and suffering is met with caring attention and connection they tend to shift in some way…be it through insight and awareness on or off the massage table. Time and time again I’ve seen evidence of a softening and relaxation when a person feels held, heard and supported. Painful or stress inducing patterns tend to surrender when they are witnessed by radical kindness in talking therapy and in response to the therapeutic touch of massage therapy.
Counselling sessions with me in person, calls or online last 1 hour. Massage sessions are either 90mins or 2 hours.
If you’re interested to find out more about my approach, ask any questions and know what to expect from my style of therapy please text or call me on 07913206273 to arrange for a free 20min discovery call.
Saad Malik
Psychodynamic Counsellor. He/him.
When? Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at Studio 70
I am a psychodynamic counsellor with an interest in working with trauma, anxiety, depression, and LGBTQI+ issues. Psychodynamic counselling is about making sense of our past and how it impacts us in the here and now. I was drawn to the psychodynamic approach of counselling since it recognises the uniqueness of each person.
I grew up in Pakistan and moved to London at a young age, since then I have lived in different parts of the UK and also spent time working as a lecturer in Pakistan after completing my masters in psychology. Growing up in different cultures gave me an outsider perspective and I learnt to appreciate the nuances and depth of the lived experience.
I have worked with a variety of clients suffering from trauma. The issues ranged from being a victim of domestic abuse, sudden death of a loved one and being a parent of someone who self-harms. I have also worked with people from the LGBTQI+ community, where I affirmed and supported them in their gender and sexual identity.
My training and life experience have given me the tools to truly adjust myself to the needs of each of my clients. I love to reflect deeply, and sensitively about my work. Its my passion and it brings me home to myself. The psychodynamic perspective considers counselling to be a two-way process, where both the counsellor and the client change in the interaction. I allow myself to be shaped and molded by my work, in doing so, I bring an authenticity and empathy which my clients find particularly helpful.
Counselling is a deeply personal experience and I feel honoured each time I listen to and sit beside my clients. I will support you on your voyage of self-healing and discovery. I offer a free thirty minute initial consultation online. If you feel counselling is right for you, then we proceed.
Penny Vlachou
Registered Dietitian (BSc, MSc, PGcert). She/Her
When? Thursdays at Studio 70
Penny is currently working as a Lead Eating Disorders Dietitian in the NHS and has supported clients with disordered eating since 2013. She also worked with a Healthcare company specialising in Diabetes and Weight Management. Alongside these roles, she has worked as a freelance dietitian for 10 years, managing clients with various health concerns, such as plant-based eating, sports nutrition, fertility, emotional eating etc.
Penny has received additional training in psychological techniques including CBT, DBT and motivational interviewing which is integrated in her clinical practice, when supporting clients with behavioural changes. With your consent, Penny often liaises with other health professionals involved and/or support network if required ensuring a holistic approach.
Penny can offer dietary and lifestyle input for:
· Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating
· Weight loss and management
· Women’s health: Fertility, Pregnancy, PCOS, Menopause
· Nutrition for sports and exercise, RED-s (relative energy deficiency at sport)
· Eating well under a busy lifestyle
· Prevention and Management of Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome etc.
· And much more: Plant-based diet, chronic fatigue, low energy levels, IBS etc.
Qualifications:
PG Cert in Eating Disorders (distinction)
Certified to use Guided Self Help for Disordered Eating
MSc in Human Nutrition with specialisation in Obesity and Weight Management
BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics (distinction)
Additional training in CBT, DBT, MI techniques
Amy Smith
Holistic Massage Therapist (she/they)
When? Sundays at Studio 70
Amy is a qualified holistic massage therapist, recently having returned to Glasgow Southside after several years away practicing in London. Her treatments are individually tailored to each client and she specialises in deep relaxation techniques to release stress and relieve pain.
Her practice is body positive and LGBTQIA+ friendly – she welcomes and celebrate people of all shapes, sizes and ways of being. If you are in any way nervous or unsure about massage, feel free to contact her first to discuss what to expect.
Holistic massage employs diverse techniques to treat the ‘whole person’, taking into account their unique physiological, mental and emotional wellbeing on any given day. Every treatment will begin with a short consultation, and every massage will be tailored on the basis of this, incorporating a range of techniques from practices such as Swedish massage, deep tissue and joint mobilisation.
Qualifications
She holds a Level 4 Holistic Massage diploma from the Massage Training Institute, including the study of anatomy, physiology and pathology. She pursues continual professional development through self-guided study, attending workshops on specific techniques and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.
Ellie ~ Purl Massage Therapy
(She/Her)
When? Fridays at Studio 70
Ellie first became interested in massage having grown up with chronic back pain. She found that doing gentle movement and stretching, along with taking lots of time to tune into her body and rest, really improved her pain. Now working most of the time as a jeweller, Eleanor spends long hours at a desk, and has found massage to be a really helpful way to take care of her body.
In a fast paced world, where it can be difficult to find stillness, Ellie sees massage as an opportunity to tune into and reconnect with our bodies.
Swedish massage treatments are full body wholistic sessions, using variable pressure and movements to improve blood and lymph circulation, ease muscular strains, improve mobility, reduce stress and tension, and relieve pain. Ellie hopes to create a safe and relaxing space where everybody feels welcome and comfortable.
All treatments can be booked either by contacting Ellie, or on online booking software Fresha (link below). Concession rates for those with low incomes always available.
Ellie is delighted to be using the peaceful therapy room at Studio70, and hopes to meet you there soon.
Ed Sum
Mused.Life
He/Him
When? Saturdays at Studio 70
I provide a mix of health and wellbeing services which are booked separately. My varied interests have developed over many years as an occupational therapist, from several experiences of burnout from working in the NHS, discovering self-compassion, going through my spiritual journey and more recently, being told I may have ADHD.
I’m a qualified Indian head massage practitioner. If you are unfamiliar with it, we begin with a consultation to explore what you hope to gain from the treatment and agree the areas to work on: the upper back, upper arms, shoulder, neck, scalp and face, higher chakras. Typically the massage is aimed at relaxation, provided whilst you are sitting on a chair and you keep your clothes on. It is important that clients are in control during massages and so I encourage people to give me feedback, particularly on techniques and pressure that are effective for them.
My occupational therapy experience includes working with people managing challenges to everyday living, such as anxiety, pain, fatigue, long covid and disabilities affecting sex and intimacy. I have worked with people with a range of health conditions with expertise in neurological conditions, including stroke, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s. Because of the varied nature of occupational therapy, it is best if clients email me in the first instance and I will direct people to more appropriate services if required.
Occupational therapists are focused on helping you to live the life you want to lead and doing the activities that are meaningful and important, with life coaching skills complementing this work. With coaching, the way forward lies within you but the pressures of life can make it difficult for us to explore the issues, come up with options and have the ‘oomph’ to get going. Coaching can help those who are feeling ‘stuck’ with decisions and I offer this separate to the occupational therapy sessions. There is also the option of including tarot cards during your coaching conversation. Tarot is not used to predict your future but to help you to explore themes that encourage reflection, insight and intuition into your situation.
Away from work, I am the current Treasurer for Oban Pride and have volunteered for events run by LGBTQIA+ organisations.