Counselling in Inverness
I’m Josh, a counsellor based in Inverness. I offer a calm, welcoming and confidential space to talk things through, whatever has brought you here.
Sessions are held online, by video call. That means we can work together whether you’re in the city, out in the Highlands, or somewhere else entirely. There’s no room to find, no parking, and no waiting area. You choose somewhere you feel comfortable, and we begin from there.
Why people in Inverness get in touch
Most people who contact me aren’t in crisis. They’re managing, more or less, and have been for a while. Something has just started taking up more room than it should.
- Anxiety, when worry runs ahead of you and won’t settle
- Low mood, when things feel flat, heavy, or hard to enjoy
- Stress, when the pressure builds and there’s no space to breathe
- Grief and loss, with room to grieve in your own way, at your own pace
- Relationship difficulties, making sense of the connections that matter to you
- Feeling stuck, when you know something needs to change but not what, or how
You don’t need to have worked out what the problem is before you get in touch. Quite often that’s the work itself.
Counselling online, from Inverness
Living in and around Inverness has its own shape to it. Winters are long and dark. Work can be seasonal. Getting anywhere takes longer than people from elsewhere expect, and if you live outside the city, a weekly appointment in town is a real commitment of time and fuel. Add to that a place small enough that you might well pass your counsellor in the Eastgate Centre, and the appeal of talking from your own front room starts to make sense.
Online counselling isn’t a lesser version of sitting in a room together. It’s a different thing with its own advantages. You’re somewhere you already feel safe. You don’t have to compose yourself for a drive home afterwards. And if you live in Nairn, Dingwall, Beauly, Fort William or further out still, it’s the difference between having a counsellor and not having one.
What it does ask of you is a private hour and a decent connection. If that’s difficult to arrange, tell me. It’s a practical problem and it usually has a practical answer.
How I work
My approach is integrative, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on what you need, rather than expecting you to fit a single model. I hold a Higher National Diploma in Integrative Counselling.
I won’t tell you what to do. Counselling works best as a collaborative thing, where you build up self-awareness, resilience and confidence in your own decisions, and you leave with something that keeps working after the sessions end.
Before I trained as a counsellor I spent years in practical, hands-on work. That taught me to listen properly, build trust slowly, and take people as I find them. I bring the same grounded approach into every session.
Starting
- Get in touch. A short message is plenty. “I’d like to find out about counselling” will do.
- We talk. We have a conversation about what you’re looking for and whether we’re a good fit. There’s no obligation, and if I’m not the right person I’ll say so.
- We begin. Sessions take place online, at a pace that suits you.
Getting in touch is usually the hardest part. It’s also the part that’s over quickest.
Counselling in Inverness FAQ
Do you offer face to face counselling in Inverness?
Not at present. I’m based in Inverness, but all sessions are held online by video call. If sitting in a room with someone is important to you, that’s a completely reasonable thing to want, and you’d be better served by a counsellor offering in-person appointments in the city.
Is online counselling as good as being in the same room?
For most people and most difficulties, yes. What makes counselling work is the relationship between the two people in it, and that builds perfectly well over video. Some people find it easier, because being in their own space makes it less exposing to say difficult things out loud. Others miss the sense of occasion that comes with going somewhere. It’s worth trying before deciding.
Where in the Highlands do you work with people?
Anywhere. Inverness, Nairn, Dingwall, Beauly, Aviemore, Fort William, the islands, and well beyond the Highlands too. Online sessions don’t depend on how far apart we are.
How long does counselling take?
There’s no fixed number. Some people come with something specific and find a handful of sessions is enough. Others stay longer, because what surfaces turns out to be bigger than what they arrived with. We review it as we go, and you’re free to stop whenever you choose.
What happens in the first session?
Mostly talking about what brought you, and what you’d like to be different. You’re not expected to arrive with it neatly explained. I’ll ask some questions, you can ask me some, and by the end we’ll both have a sense of whether this is going to be useful.
Is what I say confidential?
Yes. What you bring stays between us, with the usual limited exceptions where there’s a serious risk of harm to you or someone else. I’ll talk you through how that works before we start, so there are no surprises.
What are your qualifications?
I hold a Higher National Diploma in Integrative Counselling. If there’s anything else you’d like to know before deciding, ask me. I would much rather answer questions than have you wondering.
Get in touch
Seeking support can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to face things on your own. If you’re thinking about counselling, I’d be glad to talk with you about what you’re looking for.