Sometimes you might feel you are struggling with an issue and it would help to talk it through with someone who is neutral; someone who is not a friend or a member of your family or connected with your academic course.

Counselling is not ‘giving you advice’ or ‘telling you what you should do’. It is a process whereby, through exploring the issues that are causing you anxiety and stress you can reach your own decisions on the way forward, or find a way of coming to terms with what is happening in your life.

 

Counselling services at RCS

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland offers a range of counselling services for students.

Counsellors can help with a range of issues which may be encountered by students, such as:

  • Homesickness, loneliness, isolation
  • Sexual and cultural identity
  • Relationships
  • Self-confidence
  • Life changes
  • Bereavement and issues connected with loss
  • Depression, self-harm and suicidal feelings
  • Exam or study stress
  • Alcohol and drug use

If you have any questions about the counselling services available, please contact Dr Jane Balmforth – please email: j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk

 

Counsellors

Our counsellors are currently working remotely and the best way to get in touch with them is via email, using the following contact details.

All counsellors are providing an increased number of sessions, rather than a limit of six.

If you have any questions about the counselling services available, please contact Dr Jane Balmforth.

 

Dr Jane Balmforth

Person-centred counsellor, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Jane works at RCS on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am-5pm.

Email: j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk

 

Manisha Gosar

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, member of the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). 

Manisha works for RCS on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Email: m.gosar@rcs.ac.uk

 

Anthony Davis

Integrative counsellor, member of BACP. Anthony works online with RCS students from his office in London. Anthony also specialises in working with the LGBT+ community.

Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Anthony for an appointment.

Email: adavis.therapy@gmail.com

 

Mairi Gillies

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), accredited by BACP.  Mairi works from her own office, external to RCS, and provides up to six sessions of CBT for RCS students.

Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Mairi for an appointment.

Marie works weekdays from 9am-5.30pm.

Email: mairi@mgtherapy.co.uk

 

Stephanie McDermid

Person-centred BSL counsellor, member of BACP. Stephanie provides counselling in British Sign Language (BSL). Stephanie has an Assistance dog. There is no limit to the number of counselling sessions for students.

Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Stephanie for an appointment.

Email: stephanier1975@btinternet.com

 

Delores McPherson

Integrative counsellor, member of BACP. Delores works with RCS students remotely from her office in London.

Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Delores for an appointment.

Email: deloresmcpherson@embracecounselling.org.uk

 

Ross Paterson

Person-centred counsellor, accredited by BACP.

Ross provides counselling at 5pm-8pm on weekday evenings either at RCS or at his office in the West End of Glasgow. Ross provides up to six sessions of counselling for RCS students.

Please state that you are an RCS student when contacting Ross.

Email: westendcommunitycounselling@gmail.com

 

Togetherall

RCS also provides support through Togetherall, an online mental health support service for RCS students.

Just log in with an RCS email address to access support 24/7.

 

Music Minds Matter

Music Minds Matter is a 24/7 mental health support line for the UK music community. They offer advice and information as well as emotional support.