- Introducing the Counselling Service at RCS
Please scroll down this page for information on the RCS Counselling Team. Remember that the RCS Counselling team is available online or in person to support you – if you would like to have a chat about how counselling works or the different types of counselling available please contact Jane Balmforth or Manisha Gosar, RCS Counsellors, on counselling@rcs.ac.uk
Please note that counselling with the counsellors named below is free to RCS students, just let the counsellor know that you are an RCS student when you get in touch for an appointment.
What is discussed in a counselling meeting is confidential – the only exceptions to this are if there is a danger of you harming yourself or someone else or if you disclose information about on-going abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) of a child. The counsellor will always discuss with you before breaking confidentiality, wherever possible.
- The Counselling Team at RCS
Dr Jane Balmforth
Person-centred counsellor, accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Senior Accredited).
(BACP; www.bacp.co.uk).
Jane’s message about counselling: ‘Counselling means talking through how you’re feeling about things with someone who won’t judge or criticise. Counselling gives you a safe space to voice difficult issues, arrive at an understanding of where the feelings come from, and move on.’
Jane is available for in-person meetings in the Renfrew Street counselling office at RCS on Mondays and Tuesdays and online on Wednesdays (working hours are 9am-5pm). Please email to make an appointment. Email: j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk
Anthony Davis, accredited integrative counsellor (MBACP Accredited). Anthony works on-line from his office in London to provide counselling to RCS students. Anthony specialises in working with Black and minority ethnic students around various areas of racial/ethnic discrimination and trauma, and with the LGBT+ community.
Anthony’s message: ‘My goal is to help you develop the coping skills necessary to manage life’s difficulties, and access important support networks and resources to sustain overall well-being.’ – please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Anthony for an appointment.
Email: anthony@davisemotionalwellbeing.com
Mairi Gillies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), accredited by BACP.
Mairi’s thoughts on therapy: ‘CBT endeavours to challenge negative thoughts and look more realistically at the problem. It helps balance the mood, by using thought records/belief sheets and aims to help put things in better perspective.’
Mairi works weekdays from 9-5.30pm. Mairi is currently offering online and face to face appointments – please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Mairi for an appointment.
Email: mairi@mgtherapy.co.uk
Manisha Gosar, [MNCPS (Acc.) PMCOSCA]Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).
Manisha’s message: ‘If you are feeling overwhelmed by worry, anxiety, depression, stress or you need support to cope with some other emotional difficulties, CBT can offer you a safe way to talk, understand and manage those challenges.’
Manisha is available for in-person appointments at Wallace Studios on Wednesday and Fridays and is available for online appointments on Thursday (working hours 9am to 5pm). Email: m.gosar@rcs.ac.uk
Stephanie McDermid, person-centred BSL counsellor, an Accredited member of BACP (MBACP Accred.). Stephanie can provide counselling in British Sign Language (BSL), Sign Supported English (SSE) and spoken English to D/deaf, hard of hearing and hearing students. Stephanie has an Assistance dog. Stephanie is also training in text based and email counselling.
Stephanie’s message: ‘It is my role to accompany you on your counselling journey and offer a safe, confidential space to discuss your difficulties. I have many years experience as a therapist. My specialisms include: stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationship difficulties, identity, disability and self esteem. I also have experience working with people who are neuro diverse, or have a physical and/or sensory differences. I have a special interest in creative therapies. I can tailor therapy to your unique communication needs.”
Stephanie is currently offering online or face to face appointments on a Monday and Wednesday. Other appointments may be available and will be dealt with as flexibly as possible. Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Stephanie for an appointment. Email: stephaniemcounselling@outlook.com
Delores McPherson, Integrative counsellor , accredited by BACP.
Delores provides counselling on-line for RCS students from her office in London.
Delores’s message: ‘I have worked in the Mental Health profession for over 20 years, I have professional qualifications in Psychology, Clinical Supervision, Trauma focussed intervention, Counselling and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). I am an accredited member of BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy). I work with various presenting issues such as: low mood, depression, anxiety, race, culture and equality; also, emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), ADHD and other mental health conditions. Contact me to start your therapeutic journey.’ Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Delores.
Email: deloresmcpherson@embracecounselling.org.uk
Ross Paterson, Person-centred counsellor, accredited by BACP.
Ross’s message: ‘If you are feeling low, anxious or stressed, if you want to make a change in your life, if you want help coping or if you just want someone to talk to and someone to listen, please do get in touch.’
Ross provides online counselling and in person counselling at his office in Glasgow out of office hours (5-8pm on weekdays) and other appointment times may be available – please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Ross.
Email: westendcommunitycounselling@gmail.com
- Take a look at the video to learn more about the RCS Counsellors
Counselling and Disability Services with BSL
Counselling and Disability Service