Who Are We? – If… Therapy

Jackie Young

I am a systemic family therapist. I am also a family law solicitor. My particular interest is how families and children are affected by separation. My qualifications are BSc (Hons) Behavioural Sciences, LLB and DipLP (legal qualifications) and MSc Family & Systemic Psychotherapy from Strathclyde University. Family therapy is a branch of psychotherapy. I worked with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) during the last two years of my Family Therapy Masters from 2016 to 2018. I am a member of the Association of Family Therapists (AFT) and of the UK Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP). I remain a graduate member of the British Psychological Society after studying psychology in my first degree.

Lindy Crawford

I am a hypnotherapist working throughout Central Scotland.

I hold post-graduate certification from the London College of Clinical Hypnosis (LCCH) in conjunction with the University of West London and am a recognised Master of Conversational Hypnosis. I am also an Associate Member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis, abiding by the society’s codes of ethics and confidentiality, and a member of the Complementary Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) accredited by the Professional Standards Agency.

My work draws on techniques from various schools of psychotherapy, inspired by the work of Milton Erickson, each session is tailored to the individual. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests some psychotherapies, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), are more effective when used in conjunction with hypnosis.

Over the years spent studying and working with hypnosis, my interest has gravitated towards the neurological aspects, particularly the science of connection between mind, brain, emotion and immune system, and the scope for hypnotherapy in treating anxiety.

Amanda Jordan

Amanda Jordan is a qualified social worker and Couple and Systemic Psychotherapist. She has worked with children and families for 30 years, spending 20 years of her career working with children in care. She has supported the most challenged families all over Scotland with a particular interest in mental health and families who have fostered or adopted. Amanda has vast experience in working with adolescents but has spent the last five years developing services for younger children. Amanda can work with children separately, couples or families living together or apart. At the heart of Amanda’s practice is working with the family in a collaborative way using play, activities and a session style that brings all the family together.

Claire-Marie Hardie

Claire-Marie Hardie is a Systemic and Family Psychotherapist, with over 30 years of experience working within the NHS and third sector, working with adults, children, young people and families, initially as a Mental health Nurse and currently as a systemic family Therapist. Claire-Marie is a Fellow of Higher Education and facilitates a training clinic for Msc Family therapy trainees within her substantive role within the NHS. Claire-Marie is the Director of Lungta Eco-therapy CIC, where she provides a responsive, evidence-based service that adopts a blend of therapeutic approaches, such as EMDR, Schema focused therapy which is integrated with outdoor activities, nature and animals.

Stephen MacDonald

I am a qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapist, and social worker with experience supporting individuals, couples, and families facing a wide range of challenges. During my career I have worked for the NHS, local authorities and in private practice supporting people to navigate a range of complex issues. These include mental health difficulties such as eating disorders, trauma and depression, as well as family conflict, domestic violence and those engaged in legal proceedings related to family matters.

My practice is rooted in systemic, narrative and attachment theories, drawing on these evidence-based approaches while working collaboratively with people to explore their unique circumstances.

Whether working with an individual, couple or whole family, I create a supportive, safe and non-judgmental space where people can explore the stories and relationships that make up their lives. This allows people to make sense of their difficulties and draw on their strengths and experience to overcome the challenges they face and build resilience.

I am registered with the Association of Family Therapy, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, and Scottish Social Services Council.

Eric McDonnell

I am a family therapist and registered mental health nurse. My particular interest is in building attachment and family connection. Separation can impact children and families significantly and finding a story that can allow everyone to find new meaning and opportunities that can allow them to move forward can be difficult. I am passionate about joining with families to help them in this process to create new beginnings to their family’s story.

My qualifications are RMN (mental health nursing), BSc Nursing Studies and MSC in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. Over my career I have worked within Adult Mental health, Adults affected by homelessness and Children and young people who are care experienced. For the last 20 years I have however worked within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services with infants, children, young people and their families impacted by a broad range of difficulties.

I am registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, a member of the Association of Family Therapists (AFT) and of the UK Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP).

Allan McLeish

Allan is a UKCP registered Family and Systemic Psychotherapist, and completed his advanced diploma in Systemic Supervision at the Institute of Family Therapy. Allan began work as nursery nurse in 1995 and was the Depute Head of a Local Authority Community Nursery for some years, where he went on to study as a Play Therapist. He is a BAPT registered Play Therapist and Supervisor, a Filial Therapist and a Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Practitioner. Allan has a real interest in how younger children are involved and heard within a family therapy context, and how their voice is elicited.

Allan went on to work in a fostering and adoption family placement team before moving to CAMHS in 2012 and was Team Lead in a Specialist CAMHS Service for Accommodated Young people. During this time, he helped set up the family therapy service and supervised the training clinic. He has worked with Looked After and Accommodated Young People for over 20 years and continues to support the Care Experienced team in his current NHS role.

Fiona Wilson

Fiona originally trained as an Occupational Therapist before finding her way into the world of Psychotherapy. She has worked within the NHS, private sector and thrid sector, always with a passion and focus on supporting young people and families to face adversities and hold hope for the future. Fiona is particularly passionate about strengthening commuication and relationships post separation, aware of the impact separation can have on children and young people.

My qualifications are BSc Occupational Therapy with Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma Person-centred Counselling and MSc Family and Systemic Psychotherapy. I am a member of the Association of Family Therapists (AFT), of the Bristish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and of the UK Council of Psychotherapists (UKCP).

Regulatory Bodies: AFT (69406638) / BACP (107214) / UKCP Registration number; 2011192439.

Mal Zbikowska

My name is Mal Zbikowska, I’m a qualified Systemic Family Psychotherapist (BSc (Hons) in Psychology, PGDip, MSc), an accredited member of AFT and UKCP, and founder of Family Psychotherapy. I have extensive experience working with a wide range of difficulties presenting in children, adolescents and adults gained across the public, private and third sectors since 2016. Having worked across several organisational contexts, I’ve developed an interest in a balanced approach to building healthy relationships and managing resources in business, especially in family businesses.

Because none of us is an isolated island, I make sense of emotional and psychological difficulties as relational and belonging to a wider context. In my practice, I’m committed to creating a non-blaming, collaborative and strengths-focused space for anyone who would like to reflect and work on their relationships individually, in couples or as a family.