Yvonne Dryburgh
BSc (Hons), MBACP Registered
Counsellor/Therapist
Areas I Can Support With
Many people face challenges every day that can feel hard to manage alone. Whether it’s stress, relationship difficulties, low mood, or simply feeling overwhelmed, counselling provides a supportive space to explore these feelings. Together, we can work on understanding what’s going on and find ways to cope, so life feels a little easier and more manageable.
Below are some of the common areas that I regularly support clients with.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural response to stress or uncertainty — it’s how our body and mind try to protect us when something feels unsafe or overwhelming. But sometimes, that protective system becomes overactive, and we start to feel anxious even when there’s no real danger. This can show up in many ways: racing thoughts, a tight chest, avoiding certain situations, or feeling constantly on edge.​
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In counselling, we can gently explore what’s fuelling your anxiety and how it affects your day-to-day life. Through psychoeducation, I can help you understand what’s happening in your brain and body — because when we understand anxiety, it often feels less frightening and more manageable.
Trauma/PTSD
Trauma isn’t only about what happened—it’s also how those experiences continue to affect your body and mind. It can result from big events like accidents or loss, but also from emotional neglect or feeling unsafe in relationships.
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Trauma often appears as anxiety, numbness, flashbacks, or feeling constantly on edge, keeping you stuck in survival mode long after the event.
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In trauma counselling, we work gently at your pace, helping you understand how trauma impacts your nervous system and emotions. Together, we explore ways to feel safer in your body and develop calm, connection, and self-trust over time.
Confidence/Self-Esteem
Low confidence or self-esteem can affect many areas of life — from relationships and work to how we see ourselves day to day. You might find yourself being overly self-critical, avoiding opportunities, or feeling like you’re never quite “good enough.” These feelings often have deep roots in past experiences, and over time, they can really hold us back.
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Counselling offers a space to explore where those beliefs come from and how they’ve shaped the way you view yourself. Together, we can gently challenge unhelpful thought patterns, build self-compassion, and reconnect with your strengths. With support, it’s possible to grow a more balanced, kinder relationship with yourself — one that helps you feel more confident, capable, and worthy just as you are.
Intrusive Thoughts
If you’ve ever had a sudden, unwanted thought that felt disturbing or out of character, you’re not alone — and it can be incredibly frightening. Intrusive thoughts often seem to come out of nowhere, leaving you feeling anxious, ashamed, or worried about what they might mean. But having these thoughts doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.
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In counselling, we can talk about these thoughts in a safe and compassionate space. I’ll help you understand why they happen and gently untangle the fear around them. With the right support, intrusive thoughts can become less powerful — and you can start to feel more settled and confident in your own mind again.
Bereavement/Grief/Loss
Losing someone — or something — meaningful can shake your whole world. Grief is a deeply personal experience and doesn’t follow a straight path. You might feel sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, or even relief — sometimes all in the same day. Whether your loss was recent or happened long ago, the impact can stay with you in ways that are hard to explain to others.
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​Counselling offers a quiet, supportive space where you can take the time you need to process your loss. There’s no pressure to “move on” — instead, we’ll gently explore what this loss means to you, and find ways to carry it with more ease and self-compassion. You don’t have to go through it alone.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural life stage, but it can bring emotional and psychological challenges that feel anything but straightforward. Alongside physical symptoms like sleep problems, hot flushes or fatigue, many people experience mood changes, anxiety, low confidence, or a sense of loss or disconnection from themselves.
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Counselling can offer a space to make sense of these changes — emotionally and mentally. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or just not like yourself, we can explore what this transition means for you. Together, we can look at ways to cope, reconnect with your sense of self, and move through this time with more support and clarity.
Stress
Stress can build up slowly or hit all at once — whether it’s from work, relationships, health worries, or trying to keep everything going. Over time, it can leave you feeling exhausted, irritable, anxious, or simply like you're running on empty. It can be hard to switch off or find space to breathe.
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In counselling, we can explore what’s causing your stress and how it’s affecting you — both emotionally and physically. Together, we’ll look at ways to ease the pressure, set healthier boundaries, and find moments of calm. You don’t have to keep carrying it all on your own.