About me

I help people who struggle with anxiety to live a normal, happy and healthy life again, free from constant worry.

WHO IS EMMA?

HERE'S THE FORMAL STUFF

I consider myself a teacher with a passion for helping people bring balance to their lives. Drawing from 20 years research in personal development & Complementary medicine, I work from a diverse mix of healing techniques and use a variety of different disciplines.

I hold a BSc and am a registered Psychotherapist & Clinical Hypnotherapist. I am qualified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (Master Practitioner), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Diploma), Clinical Hypnotherapy (Diploma), Emotional Freedom Technique (Diploma) and Complementary Therapies (Degree). During the years I have helped people find relief by running workshops, bespoke retreats and face to face clinical sessions. I am registered as a Psychotherapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist with the National Council for Psychotherapists (NCP).

I do not diagnose. The core treatments I offer are based on researched evidence according to the National Institute for Care and Excellence guidelines. NICE and Anxiety UK recognise both counselling and psychotherapy may work alongside or as an alternative to medication for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Further details of NICE guidelines for different anxiety types are available here.

Having overcome anxiety myself, I speak very openly about this as a therapist, mother to three children, the middle of three sisters, wife of an incredibly quick-fingered musician and business owner. I have dabbled in corporate leadership and do enjoy organising the oddest of events. You can find me sharing a lot more on Instagram @ScottishAnxietyLady.

Memoirs

For the lost women

As the words left her mouth I listened. I looked into her weary lagoon blue eyes where her despairing soul betrayed her. One solitary tear left the crease of her right eye and tumbled downwards over the apple of her cheek before landing on her jeans, causing the denim to darken. "I..can't. I just can't do this anymore" she whispered trying to stave off the tears. But more flowed downwards trailing mascara and eyeliner with them.

Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much

- Helen Keller

The moments that followed were so painful

It was over and I was done...

Sobbing to myself in the mirror that day, I leaned heavily back against the wall and slid listlessly to the floor. My anxiety was in overdrive and I was officially lost and broken. My soul was screaming because I had no idea who I was, what I was doing, how I found myself here or where I would be heading next.

While this sounds like a hopeless place to leave you as a reader (literally with me on the floor in a mess), it is the reality of the anxiety I experienced and a good place for me to begin. Because feeling anxious and lost hurts like nothing I have ever experienced before but it isn’t the end. It is actually a very good beginning.

As I would discover, feeling lost is an emotional signpost that something was, or is, out of alignment. And if you harness your anxiety in the correct way, it will force you to grow and to truly find yourself in an exciting yet peaceful new chapter of life. Trust me.

It wasn't easy

I don't want to lie to you.

I had to dig really deep and there were times I doubted the process but I know from myself and the women I have worked with, that courage, grit and confidence surface within us when we make the choice to commit to change and face our deepest fears. I firmly believe this has to be one of the greatest things about life. It just isn't going to be all Instagram and glamour - there will always be messy parts. It's the stuff nobody wants to experience, never mind talk about.

I tell my clients "Life is like shoe shopping. Not everything on display looks great or feels comfortable once you try it on. You've got to be prepared to shop around, switch your thinking and try on stuff you would only dream of.."

But what really matters?

I'll start with what doesn't..

As I found out, it doesn't really matter how rich, talented, educated, sassy or attractive you are. Anxiety doesn't discriminate by holiday type, the cars we drive or the letters after our names. That doubting part in you is there for a reason and will make mischief when you are tired, stressed, hormonal or seemingly fine; favourite debuts being last thing at night before you sleep and first thing in the morning. For some people who are really lost, they have given up hope of ever getting better.

Wherever you are on your journey with anxiety, please know that the inner warrior inside you is calling. It's time for you to listen to that voice, it's calling you for a reason.