Our Therapists
Heal. Grow. Thrive.
Welcome to The Edinburgh Counselling Service. We are a small group of warm, compassionate and empathic counsellors, each working independently but united by a shared commitment to a compassionate, collaborative approach to therapy as well as evidence based practices and ongoing professional development. We provide counselling to individuals, couples, and young people, welcoming clients of all backgrounds. Our counsellors are fully qualified, insured, and adhere to the ethical standards of their respective professional bodies. We help individuals feel empowered, live authentically, thrive in relationships with themselves and others, experience healing and change, and uncover purpose in their lives. To find out more about each of our therapists, please feel welcome to take a look at our profiles below.
Hannah Walker
Founder of The Edinburgh Counselling Service
Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Hi I’m Hannah, a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist. I’m the founder of The Edinburgh Counselling Service where I provide counselling to individuals, couples and young people. I am particularly experienced in supporting individuals with anxiety, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, relationships, perfectionism, burnout and imposter syndrome.
I aim to help individuals feel empowered, live authentically, thrive in relationships with themselves and others, experience healing and change, and uncover purpose in their lives. Whether you would like support working through something specific, or would simply like a space that’s just for you, I provide a place for you to explore what is important to you.
My approach to counselling is grounded in openness, trust, honesty, compassion (and even a little humour!). The counselling journey can bring the confidence, personal growth and self-awareness required to reach your full potential and live fully. Please take a look here to find out more about how I work.
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*While I’m currently not accepting new clients, I’d be glad to support you in finding a colleague who may be a good fit for your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.*
Kazandra Pangilinan
Integrative Counsellor
Hello! I’m Kazandra, a counsellor trained in both the person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, which means I work in a way that honours your unique experiences in the here-and-now while also exploring how past relationships and events may be influencing your present. This integrated approach allows us to deepen self-awareness, process underlying emotions, and create space for meaningful change.
I believe that each person has the endless capacity to grow, shape their narrative, and forge their own path forward. As a person who has sat on both sides of the therapy couch, I deeply appreciate the warm, non-judgemental, and safe space counselling can provide – and I’m committed to offering this same space to others.
I also work with children and young people to help them understand and express their feelings, develop emotional resilience, strengthen self-esteem, and navigate challenges such as school pressures, friendships, family changes, anxiety, and loss. Through creative and age-appropriate methods, I provide a safe space where they can explore their inner world, build coping strategies, and feel truly heard and supported.
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My counselling room is a place for discovery, exploration, and empowerment for people of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, genders, and sexualities. You are so welcome here.
I offer sessions at the same time on Tuesday afternoons and evenings, Wednesday mornings and early afternoons, and Thursday mornings and early afternoons.
Ross Pollard
CBT Psychotherapist
Hi I’m Ross, a qualified cognitive behavioural therapist and counsellor with the BACP. I provide individual and group therapy, delivered either face-to-face or online. I have experience supporting a wide range of adults, from students to senior professionals. As well as this, I specialise in working with disabled and neurodivergent clients (such as ADHD, Autism and dyslexia).
My approach generally follows a Cognitive Behavioural framework with integrated Compassion-focused practices. I help clients better understand themselves and their difficulties, to empower them to facilitate positive changes in their thinking, behaviours, and beliefs. On this journey, I equip clients with the skills to become more resilient and encourage personal growth through self-compassion and acceptance. I have experience working with anxiety, social anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, Autism, communication difficulties, shame, body dysmorphia and dyslexia.
I welcome clients who don’t know specifically what they wish to focus on, or who alternatively, just want a safe place to talk, rather than follow a specific approach. Every individual is unique, so I passionately believe in making the therapy process collaborative, inclusive of different learning styles and shaped by the client’s input. Therapy can be lifechanging and I want your experience to leave you feeling confident and fulfilled.
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I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions at the same time each week on Monday evenings, Thursday evenings, Friday evenings and Saturdays during the day.
Nicole Mackintosh
Integrative Counsellor
Hi, I’m Nicole and I am a qualified integrative therapist registered with the BACP. I draw on both psychodynamic and person-centred approaches within my practice. Within sessions, I encourage my clients to find their own way in their therapeutic journey. Some clients may respond better to having more directive and structured sessions, whereas other clients may like to focus on one session at a time, working with whatever they feel is most important on that day. Whichever way a client wants to work, I strive to create the warm and open environment they need to do this.
My approach to therapy centres on fostering a strong and positive therapeutic relationship and I believe this relationship can encourage growth and change. I meet my clients from a place of non-judgement and curiosity. I offer warmth, compassion and an understanding that therapy can sometimes feel a little daunting. Alongside this, I believe there is a place for joy and laughter within the counselling room.
The main bulk of my experience is within working with trauma, specifically with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. I also have experience of working with relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and domestic and emotional abuse. I strongly believe in the benefits of working creatively in a therapeutic environment, and have experience incorporating art into sessions for clients as a way for them to express themselves and tell their stories.
My experience also extends to working with children in an education setting, working in a way which puts art, creativity and play at the heart of the therapeutic process. I offer a safe place for children and young people to experience therapy to ensure they can work in a way they understand and so that they leave having had a positive experience of therapy.
I welcome clients from all ages, backgrounds and experiences.
I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions on Thursday and Friday mornings and afternoons.
Ursula Jackson
Integrative Counsellor
Hello, my name is Ursula. I am an integrative counsellor for individuals and couples. If you asked how I’d describe my way of being in the therapy room, it would be compassionate, curious and creative. I draw on a variety of evidence-based approaches to tailor sessions to your unique needs, including person-centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural.
My focus is always on meeting you right where you are and working together to find the best approach for you. Sometimes that means focussing on issues you’re facing now and how to manage them better, sometimes it can involve looking back at experiences you’ve had in your earlier life and how they’re shaping what’s happening now. It depends on what your therapeutic goals are, which we can figure out together if you don’t know yet. Ultimately, we’re working together to create the change that you want to see in your life.
At the core of my practice is a belief that the relationship between us is really important as it gives you a secure base to explore and grow within. For couples, we focus on the relationship and how you’re each contributing to creating the dynamic that exists between you. I can help with a range of issues, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, loss and relationship challenges. I am an LGBTQ+ and neuro-affirming practitioner. I adhere to the BACP’s ethical framework in my practice.
I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions on Saturdays.
Odett Toth
Integrative Counsellor
Hi there, I'm Odett and I'm an integrative counsellor dedicated to fostering therapeutic change through person-centred and psychodynamic approaches. At the heart of my practice lies a commitment to meeting you where you are on your journey and tailoring our sessions to suit your unique needs and preferences.
I understand the importance of finding a therapist who resonates with you, and I strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all my clients. Whether you're seeking guidance through challenging times or looking to explore deeper aspects of yourself, I am here to walk alongside you on your path to healing and self-discovery.
With a background in working with a diverse range of clients, I specialise in addressing relationship issues, anxiety and depression, self-esteem concerns and trauma. I also have a special interest in working with survivors of domestic abuse. My goal is to provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace. Together, we'll aim to create a space for genuine connection, where you can feel truly seen and heard and can feel free to be your authentic and confident self. During this journey of self-discovery and growth, we will aim to navigating the complexities of life with courage and compassion.
As a registered member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), I adhere to their professional standards, ensuring a safe and ethical therapeutic environment. I offer sessions in both English and Hungarian, providing a comfortable space for clients who prefer therapy in their native language. I believe in the power of creativity and play in therapy, and for those who are interested, I integrate creative tools into our sessions to facilitate exploration and expression.
I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions on Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings.
Sian Troote
Integrative Therapist
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Hi, I’m Sian, an integrative counsellor working from a psychodynamic foundation. My approach is warm & relational, with a particular interest in themes of relationship dynamics with self & other.
Wherever you find yourself, I offer a warm, collaborative space where we can begin gently untangling what you’re going through, sitting together in the ‘mud’ and uncertainty as we listen into the different feelings, body-promptings, or needs you may be experiencing.
Guided by your pace, together we might get curious about the ways in which past and early childhood experiences may be impacting your current sense of self, relational dynamics, and the world around you. This might include noticing patterns of relating between you and I in the therapy room too, and the role of wider social and cultural systems.
I work with a range of themes including but not limited to relational and family dynamics, self-worth and identity, anxiety, depression, life-transitions, grief, childhood trauma, as well as faith and religious trauma.
I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions at the same time on Monday afternoon/evenings.
Laura Savage
Transactional Analysis Therapist
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Hi, I’m Laura, a counsellor trained in Transactional Analysis. My passion lies in helping individuals and couples find clarity and connection as they navigate life's challenges. My approach is empathetic and client-focused, offering a safe space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours while working towards meaningful change.
I’m here to support those feeling overwhelmed, lost, or disconnected from themselves. Together, we can explore what is holding you back and help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that may feel forgotten, guiding you towards a life that feels more fulfilling and joyful. I have experience working with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, family dynamics, pregnancy, miscarriage, stress, sex work, trauma, self-harm, LGBTQ+ experience and low self-esteem. I also bring years of experience working with autistic children, adults, and their families, offering unique insights and understanding to those navigating similar paths.
I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions at the same time on Wednesday afternoon/evenings and Friday mornings/ early afternoons.
Caroline Harden
Integrative Counsellor
​ Hi, I'm Caroline and I’m an integrative counsellor works from a person-centred, psychodynamic, and somatic foundation. My counselling practice is rooted in the belief that real change grows out of a relationship where you feel truly seen, understood, and accepted. Counselling is a space where it’s enough to arrive as yourself, bringing the worries, uncertainties, and hopes that are part of your story.
In our sessions, we’ll create a space where you feel safe to be authentic, and together we will develop a deeper sense of acceptance and understanding – both between us and, most importantly, within yourself. I meet you with warmth and empathy, while exploring how past experiences may be shaping the way you live and relate today, and I bring a gentle curiosity to where feelings show up physically, supporting you to deepen your connection with yourself.
Having lived on three different continents, experience a vast variety of cultures, and being bilingual also deeply inform my practice. I bring a strong intercultural awareness to my work and a genuine curiosity about each person’s unique story. I understand how hard it can be to find the right words to express your inner world and I bring patience, creativity, and respect to my communication. Shaped by over a year’s experience of working with survivors of sexual abuse, my approach is always trauma-informed and aware of how social and cultural contexts influence our inner and outer worlds.
I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions at the same time on Tuesday afternoon/evenings and Wednesday afternoon/evenings.
Madhumitaa Saravana Sundar
Trainee Counselling Psychologist
Hello, I’m Madhumitaa, a trainee counselling psychologist working from a person-centred perspective. My approach is grounded in the belief that therapy should feel safe, collaborative, and deeply respectful of your individual experience. I see therapy as a space where you can slow down, reflect, and begin to make sense of what’s happening in your world, at your own pace.
I believe that when we feel genuinely heard—without judgement, pressure, or expectation—something meaningful begins to shift. Many of us carry thoughts and feelings that have not had the space to be fully acknowledged. My aim is to offer a steady, compassionate presence where you can explore difficult emotions, sit with uncertainty, or even arrive unsure of where to begin. We work together, guided by what feels most important to you.
Originally from India and living in the UK for the past seven years, I bring both personal and professional insight into what it can mean to navigate different cultures, identities, and expectations. I am mindful of how culture, family dynamics, migration, and experiences of belonging can shape how we understand ourselves and relate to others. If these are meaningful parts of your story, they are warmly welcomed into our work.
As a trainee counselling psychologist, I work under regular clinical supervision and within professional and ethical guidelines to ensure safe and reflective practice.
My hope is that our work together helps you feel more understood, more connected to yourself, and more able to move forward in a way that feels authentic and meaningful to you.
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I offer weekly sessions on Monday afternoons.
Emily Durber
Trainee Counselling Psychologist
Hello! I’m Emily, a trainee counselling psychologist working from a person-centred, humanistic perspective. I aim to offer a space where you can explore whatever feels important to you, in a way that feels right, and at a pace that feels manageable.
Central to my approach is the belief that people already hold the capacity for growth and change – a capacity that, through a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship, we can begin to explore together. In recognising you as the expert of your experience, my role is not to direct the process, but to be alongside you to understand your world as you experience it, and support you in making sense of what may feel difficult, unclear, or hard to put into words.
Much of my approach has been shaped by my experience in trauma-informed care with young people and individuals with acquired brain injuries, as well as supporting both children and adults with Autism and ADHD. More of my recent practice has focused on supporting those navigating grief, anxiety, perfectionism, low mood, and challenges with self-esteem. As part of my training, I work in line with the HCPC's and BPS's ethical guidelines, and attend regular clinical supervision, which helps me to stay reflective, grounded, and attentive to each person I work with.
I am mindful that starting therapy can feel uncertain, and, at times, even uncomfortable. You may have something specific you wish to explore, or you may feel unsure of where to begin. There is no pressure to have anything figured out – we can start wherever you are, and take time to understand what feels important as we go.
I offer weekly sessions on Tuesday afternoons.
Robyn Kane
Trainee Pluralistic Counsellor
Hello! I’m Robyn, and I am a trainee Pluralistic counsellor. This means my approach is rooted in collaboration and creating a unique therapy that works for you. I draw upon many different theories and traditions to support your exploration and healing, working with the unique qualities that make you… you.
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We are complex and unique beings, and so are the issues we struggle with. I believe every issue and every person needs something different, and that these needs can change over time. Together, we will explore what brings you to therapy in a way that works for you; whether you prefer structure or just a warm space to go at your own pace. I can help you take the first steps in exploring the impact of your past, the relationships you have now, changing unhelpful or undesired behaviour, and even grapple with some of life’s harder questions, like what does it all mean, and how is the world around me helping or holding me back from what I want? Maybe you enjoy working creatively or find it easier to talk while sitting on the floor or moving around, or maybe you’re most comfortable simply talking in a comfy chair. Everything is welcome in our work together.
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Developing a trusting and genuine relationship is incredibly important for therapy to feel useful. I offer a space that is warm, deeply accepting, and values collaboration, versatility, and creativity to ensure we have the foundations we need to create a relationship that is meaningful and capable of creating change. I also have lived experience of therapy as a client, LGBTQIA+ issues and culture, and Neurodiversity (specifically ADHD), and I am interested in intersectionality and social justice perspectives. I welcome all people from all walks of life and approach our cultural differences with respect and curiosity when it becomes relevant to our work.
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My training is approved by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I follow their code of ethics. I also attend regular clinical supervision.
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I offer sessions on Wednesday afternoons.
Pepa Ivanova
Trainee Person-Centred Counsellor
Hello! I’m Pepa, a trainee person-centred counsellor. As a person-centred counsellor, I aim to create a collaborative and non-judgemental space where you can explore the difficulties, feelings, or questions that bring you to therapy - at a pace that feels right for you. These sessions are your space to talk about whatever feels important to you. My role isn’t to tell you what to do or give you advice, but to listen and try to understand what life feels like from your perspective. Together, we can begin to explore and make sense of your thoughts and emotions in a way that feels right for you.
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The person-centred approach is grounded in the belief that, given the right relationship with the counsellor, built on trust, empathy, and acceptance, clients can find their own way forward and create meaningful change in their lives.
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I have experience supporting people suffering from an eating disorder and body image concerns through various volunteer roles. In my current practice, I have worked with clients struggling with low confidence, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. I’m particularly drawn to exploring themes of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. I welcome clients from all walks of life and aim to provide a space that feels inclusive, respectful, and open.
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My training is approved by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP); additionally, I am a registered student member with the BACP. I follow an ethical code of practice, attend regular clinical supervision and group supervision as part of my professional development and commitment to safe, ethical practice.
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I offer weekly sessions on Thursday afternoons.