Who we are
Neil Hutchison
Hello, I’m Neil, the co-founder of Room for Therapy and one of the practicing therapists here.
I believe that therapy can be life-changing and have seen this from both sides of the therapeutic process. I bring to my practice my own experience as a person in a complex and often difficult world. This experience has helped form my values as a human first, but also as a therapist.
Each client presents their own unique story but some common issues that I have worked with in the past include depression, anxiety, historical abuse, marital / relationship challenges, and challenges relating to identity (e.g. gender, sexuality, disability, race and class).
My goal in working with clients is to create a safe, secure space within which we co-create a therapeutic relationship. For me, this means that understanding and honouring the client’s experience is paramount. Having someone relate to you in this way can be enormously healing, but there is also potential benefit in gaining an understanding of how the client’s past turns up in present relationships.
Session Fee: £70 Contact: neil@roomfortherapy.co.uk
PGCert, PGDip, MCOSCA, MBACP
Phil Shaw
Hello, I'm Phil, the co-founder of Room for Therapy and one of the practicing therapists here.
I firmly believe that therapy can be transformative, providing a unique opportunity to explore our past experiences and understand how they influence our present. This viewpoint has been shaped by my experiences as both a therapist and a client. The therapeutic relationships I cultivate with people create a safe and empowering environment for them to examine and make sense of their connections with others and the world around them.
I have experience in addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, family dynamics, autism, trauma, and matters related to sex, gender, and sexuality.
My approach involves understanding each person’s experiences from their unique perspective, allowing me to meet them with acceptance, empathy, and curiosity. When appropriate, I also gently challenge clients to encourage deeper reflection and new ways of thinking about their experiences.
Session Fee: £70 Contact: neil@roomfortherapy.co.uk
PGCert, PGDip, MSc, MCOSCA, MBACP
We are delighted to share our community and spaces with other practitioners who we admire, but please note, their process and fees may be slightly different to ours. If you would like more details about any of these therapists then please feel free to reach out to them directly.
Affiliated therapists
Camilla Ferraro
Hello, I’m Camilla.
I am a BACP registered integrative psychotherapist (fancy term – but basically means I am trained in and can combine different forms of therapy), who is able to use my training and skills to tailor therapy to you. If I had to describe my preferred way of working, it would be termed working ‘relationally’, and in a way that is centred around you (and your needs) as the client. Working ‘relationally’ also means that I am concerned with our relationship together in the therapy room (our client-therapist relationship) and how what happens in our ‘room’ might flow through into your relationships with others in your world. I am also interested in how your past and your present impacts you and your relationships today.
Additionally, as a neurodivergent person myself and having worked with many neurodivergent clients, I am also passionate about adapting therapy and our approach to suit you and your preferences and access needs. I will ask about these preferences when we first meet, and review them with you regularly.
I am also a registered dietitian (RD) with a decade of experience working with eating disorders and disordered eating, providing weight neutral and non-diet nutrition counselling, and working with folks experiencing feeding and eating barriers including adapting eating to sensory preferences.
Therapy sessions with me are neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ friendly, weight neutral and gender inclusive. I currently support clients in Edinburgh and globally (online) with a variety of challenges: from anxiety, low mood and navigating grief, loss and life transitions, to difficulties with relationship and conflict; as well as support with relationships to food and body, disordered eating/eating disorders as well as identity work including exploration of gender and sexuality, as well as supporting self-discovery and advocacy around neurodivergence.
Session Fee: £100 Contact: camilla@camillaferraro.com
Gillian Burke
Hello, I’m Gillian, a qualified MBACP pluralistic counsellor and psychotherapist. I work with adults (18 yrs+) both in-person and online, offering a flexible and supportive space tailored to your needs.
I believe that counselling is a collaborative process, built on a foundation of trust. My approach is grounded in pluralistic values, which means I adapt the therapy to suit your individual needs, drawing on a range of methods and perspectives. Together, we work towards greater self-understanding, resilience, and overall wellbeing.
Before training as a counsellor/psychotherapist, I spent many years working in business and leadership roles. This professional experience helps me to connect with people from all walks of life, including those navigating high-pressure work environments or seeking balance between personal and professional demands.
I’m passionate about supporting personal growth and wellbeing, and I bring compassion, integrity, and care to every therapeutic relationship. My role is to walk alongside you whether you're seeking short-term support or embarking on a longer journey of self-discovery, I’ll work with you at your own pace.
You might be coming to counselling with anxiety, stress, low mood, grief, navigating life transitions, identity exploration or simply feeling stuck. Whatever you’re facing, my aim is to support you in moving towards greater clarity, healing, and personal growth.
I offer counselling for both short-term, focusing on a specific issue, and open-ended for deeper exploration. I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds. My practice is trauma-informed, LGBTQ+ inclusive, and values transparency and choice.
Session Fee: £65 Contact: gillian@gillianburkecounselling.com
Julia Sanders
Hello, I’m Julia.
Deciding to come to therapy can feel like a big step, sometimes fuelled by a discomfort in everyday living, a sense that things aren't quite right, anxiety that doesn't dissipate. There may be problems in relationships, issues of self-worth, trauma, feelings of loss and grief. In the midst of every day life many of these feelings can be difficult to properly grasp; they may arise 'out of the blue', feel unacceptable, they shift around; at times feeling more pressing than at others. In our sessions, my intention is to create a safe space, developing a relationship which is open and trustful and where all feelings are legitimate.
In our sessions we can gently explore what feels difficult for you at the moment and both be curious about and receptive to what emerges. I will support you in noticing the ways in which the past, remembered or not, is still very much alive in your experience of present-day relationships, and encourage a compassionate witnessing of these earliest experiences
Life can feel messy, demanding and difficult. Consequently, both consciously and unconsciously we develop means of protecting ourselves to try and avoid the pain created. Within our relationship we may begin to recognise ways of being, which although may have been helpful in the past are limiting now. Maybe change becomes possible.
Session Fee: £65 Contact: julia.sanders1@btinternet.com
Léonie Graham
Hello, I’m Léonie, a qualified therapist and systemic practitioner with over 20-years experience supporting children, families and individuals with their mental health.
I offer counselling and personal therapy from a couple of wonderful, safe spaces in South Queensferry and Edinburgh, and I offer sessions online for those who need more flexibility, cannot travel or are further afield.
Whilst I specialise in working with individuals who have experienced childhood or complex trauma, people also come to me because they are struggling with anxiety, grief, burnout or they just want to create change in their lives. I will provide you with a confidential and non-judgmental space to explore things that are troubling you, process past experiences and work towards any goals you might have.
I draw from a number of approaches and techniques. However, I do favour the psychodynamic approach and attachment-based theories. This means I believe childhood experiences can have a profound effect on how we function as adults. I also draw from mindfulness techniques, parts-theory, and trauma-informed practices.
Alongside working closely with adults, I have experience as a school therapist, working with parents and I hold the position of Counselling Team Lead at a young people’s health and wellbeing charity in Leith.
Session Fee: £65 Contact: leoniegraham.therapy@gmail.com
Sarah MacRae
Hello, I’m Sarah.
From a young age, I felt deeply curious about people and our relationships with each other. Initially, I pursued this interest in my training and work as an actor and found rich territory in which to explore storytelling and the many ways we communicate. As time went on, it felt increasingly important to me to work directly with people questioning or struggling, and I began my training as a therapist.
Having qualified in the dialogue between psychodynamic and person-centred therapy, I offer both short and long-term counselling to individuals. My intention is to provide a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space within which we can explore the issues you are facing and seek a way forward at a pace which feels right for you.
Within the therapeutic relationship, I consider myself a facilitator and an active witness; someone to think with and offer challenge when the time feels right. I work collaboratively, so will check in regularly to see how you feel we are progressing, aiming always to receive you with curiosity, empathy and thoughtfulness.
Together we will work to explore where you are struggling or stuck, seeking deeper understanding as well as the possibility of healing and change.
Session Fee: £65 Contact: sarahmacraecounselling@gmail.com
Talia Watrous
Hello, I’m Talia.
Hi, I’m Talia, a trauma and attachment therapist. I offer warm and open minded counselling and psychotherapy. I use mindful and somatic techniques from Emotion Focused Therapy, Brainspotting (a modality derived from EMDR), and Solution Focused therapy. This integrative approach helps clients emotionally regulate, and make long lasting changes in addition to revelations.
My clients often focus on anxiety, depression, trauma, work-stress/burnout, relationships, gender identity, nonmonogamy, neurodivergence, immigration, disability, and intimacy. I love supporting folks questioning/exploring gender and trans identity. I also have a background in psychosexual therapy.
I believe everyone who wants to grow can with the right supports and conditions. I think therapy is the process of learning how to take care of yourself. It is the paradoxical process of accepting and transcending our circumstances and defaults. It is my great honour to witness my clients feel, say, and do things they never have before.
Session Fee: £75 Contact: contact@taliawatrous.co.uk