Teresa

Ms Teresa Johnston

Mental Health Counselor

verified by TherapyRoute

I work with thoughtful, self-aware individuals who sense that something within them is asking for attention, even if they cannot yet name it clearly. My clients are often capable, responsible people who carry much for others, yet privately experience anxiety, loss of direction, emotional fatigue, or a quiet erosion of confidence. They may be navigating life transitions, relationship wounds, questions of identity, or the subtle weight of long-held patterns that no longer serve them. I offer a calm, confidential space where you can speak honestly and be met with steadiness, respect, and careful listening. My approach is person-centred, grounded in psychological understanding, and informed by mindfulness. This means I do not impose interpretations or attempt to fix you. Instead, I work alongside you, helping you understand your inner experience more deeply, reconnect with your own clarity, and restore trust in yourself. Clients often come to me when they feel disconnected from who they once were, or unsure of who they are becoming. Our work supports emotional integration, strengthens self-awareness, and allows space for meaning to emerge naturally. Over time, this process can lead to greater calm, clearer boundaries, and a renewed sense of inner stability. You do not need to arrive with certainty. Only a willingness to begin is enough.

About Me

I am a counsellor and mindfulness meditation instructor with a background in psychology and healthcare. My professional path has been shaped by both academic study and lived experience, and I bring that integration into every therapeutic relationship. I hold a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Professional Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling. I am a registered member of COSCA and committed to ethical, reflective practice. My work is grounded in psychological theory, but it is never abstract. It is relational, attentive, and human. Before moving fully into counselling, I worked within healthcare settings, including oncology. That experience deepened my understanding of vulnerability, resilience, and the quiet strength people carry in times of uncertainty. It also strengthened my respect for the complexity of both mind and body. Alongside counselling, I am a qualified mindfulness teacher. I integrate evidence-informed mindfulness approaches where appropriate, supporting clients to develop steadier awareness, emotional regulation, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves. My approach is thoughtful and contained. I value clarity, honesty, and emotional depth. I do not rush the process, and I do not offer surface solutions. Therapy, as I practise it, is a space where insight unfolds carefully and where change arises from genuine understanding rather than pressure. I am committed to ongoing professional development and supervision. I see my role not as an expert over your life, but as a steady, trained presence walking alongside you while you rediscover your own.

Approach

My approach is grounded in person-centred counselling, which means I begin with the belief that you are not broken, and you do not need fixing. You need space, safety, and careful attention. When those conditions are present, growth is not forced. It unfolds. I work relationally and collaboratively. I will not analyse you from a distance or offer rehearsed solutions. Instead, I listen closely to the language you use, the emotions beneath it, and the patterns that quietly repeat. Together, we make sense of what is happening, at a pace that feels steady and respectful. Psychological theory informs my work, but the relationship remains central. Research matters. So does warmth. Insight matters. So does containment. I integrate mindfulness where helpful, supporting you to develop awareness of your inner world without judgement. This often strengthens emotional regulation, clarity of thought, and the ability to respond rather than react. I am attentive to the deeper layers of experience: identity, attachment patterns, life transitions, questions of meaning. I do not rush to label. I do not pathologise ordinary human struggle. At the same time, I will gently challenge when patterns limit you. Therapy should feel safe, but it should also move. You can expect steadiness, honesty, and professional boundaries. You can expect thoughtful reflection and clear communication. Above all, you can expect a space where your experience is taken seriously. Real change is rarely dramatic. It is quiet, cumulative, and grounded in truth. My role is to help you return to your own centre and build from there.
Contact Teresa

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Therapeutic Services Offered I offer individual counselling for adults in a confidential, professional setting. My work supports those seeking greater understanding of themselves, relief from emotional distress, and a more grounded way of living. Individual Counselling One-to-one therapy provides a private space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgement. This work may help you understand patterns, process difficult experiences, and strengthen your sense of self. Anxiety and Emotional Overwhelm Support for those experiencing persistent worry, tension, overthinking, or a sense of internal pressure. Therapy can help restore calm, clarity, and emotional balance. Life Transitions and Change Guidance during periods of uncertainty, including career shifts, relationship changes, ageing, illness, or questions of identity and direction. Therapy offers stability while you adapt and reorient. Relationship Difficulties Exploration of relational patterns, communication challenges, attachment wounds, or the aftermath of painful relational experiences. This work supports healthier boundaries and deeper self-trust. Loss, Grief, and Emotional Pain Compassionate support for bereavement and other forms of loss, including the loss of relationships, roles, or a sense of who you once were. Therapy allows grief to be acknowledged and integrated. Self-Esteem and Identity Support for those who feel diminished, disconnected from themselves, or uncertain of their worth. Therapy strengthens self-understanding, confidence, and inner stability. Mindfulness-Informed Therapy Where appropriate, I integrate mindfulness approaches to support emotional regulation, present-moment awareness, and a more compassionate relationship with your inner experience. Professional and Personal Development A reflective space for those seeking deeper self-awareness, meaning, and psychological growth. This work is particularly valuable for those in caring, professional, or leadership roles. All services are offered within an ethical, person-centred framework, guided by respect, confidentiality, and careful attention to your individual experience.

Services Offered:

  • Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy
  • Counselling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counselling
  • Individual Psychotherapy

    In-depth one-on-one therapy that explores the deeper roots of a person's difficulties, often drawing on psychodynamic or psychoanalytic models.

  • Integrative Psychotherapy

    An approach that draws on multiple therapeutic models, tailored to the individual, rather than following a single method.

  • MBT (Mentalisation-Based Therapy)

    A therapy that strengthens the ability to understand one's own mental states and those of others, improving emotional regulation and relationships.

    Learn more about MBT (Mentalisation-Based Therapy)
  • Mindfulness

    The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.

    Learn more about Mindfulness
  • Online Counselling

    Counselling conducted via video, phone, or secure messaging, providing professional support remotely.

    Learn more about Online Counselling
  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • Wellness Support

    Holistic support focused on overall well-being, including stress management, lifestyle balance, and building sustainable healthy habits.

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Elderly
  • Individuals
  • Parents

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • ADHD / Attention Difficulties

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention Difficulties
  • Alzheimer's / Dementia

    A progressive brain disease that causes memory loss, confusion, and decline in thinking skills, eventually affecting the ability to carry out everyday tasks.

    Learn more about Alzheimer's / Dementia
  • Bipolar

    A mood disorder involving episodes of mania (abnormally elevated mood and energy) alternating with episodes of depression, affecting judgement, sleep, and daily functioning.

    Learn more about Bipolar
  • Cancer Support

    The psychological and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis on the individual and their loved ones, including fear, grief, and adjustment to treatment.

  • Career Issues

    Work-related difficulties such as chronic dissatisfaction, conflict, burnout, uncertainty about direction, or the stress of career change.

  • Chronic Illness

    A long-term health condition (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disease, chronic pain) that persists over time and affects physical, emotional, and social well-being.

    Learn more about Chronic Illness
  • Divorce Coping

    The emotional upheaval of separation or divorce, including grief, anger, identity disruption, and the challenge of restructuring family life.

  • Dream Work

    The exploration of dream content (themes, symbols, and emotions) to gain insight into unconscious feelings, conflicts, and desires.

    Learn more about Dream Work
  • Gender Identity & Self-Image

    A person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth, and the distress or exploration that can accompany this.

  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.

    Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement

Professional Title:

  • Mental Health Counselor

    A counselor trained to assess and treat mental health conditions through talk therapy.

Qualifications


Professional Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling

Therapy Train Stirling

Masters of Science, Psychology (with Merit)

Masters

University of Stirling

Memberships


British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA)

Candidate Member

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Candidate Member

Service Area


Callendar House

In-person & Online

Falkirk, Scotland

United Kingdom

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