Counsellor profile
Isla Donaldson, NCPS
Counsellor - stress and trauma
See online counselling options- Person-centred approach
- Somatic work
- Trauma focused
About Isla
Counsellor and NCPS member, Isla Donaldson has five years' experience working with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and depression. She offers straightforward, person-focused counselling in the United Kingdom and works in a way that pays attention to both thoughts and bodily experience.
Isla bases sessions on client-centred principles. That means the conversation follows what matters most to the person in front of her. She also uses somatic and trauma-focused methods to notice how feelings show up in the body and to work through painful memories and reactions.
In practice she combines relational talk with attention to physical sensations. Sessions often include noticing breath, posture or tension as a way to access emotion and memory. Isla will balance listening with gentle challenge, helping people make sense of patterns such as attachment or avoidance.
She has worked with adults and young people on issues such as low self-esteem, grief, self-harm and post-traumatic stress. Her background includes a first-class BA in Humanistic Counselling Practice and further study in somatics, polyvagal theory and related topics.
Practical matters such as boundaries, consent and safeguarding are part of her training. Isla asks new clients to use the online matching process to book a first session and to confirm current session options before arranging appointments.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Isla uses client-centred work and somatic methods as key parts of her practice. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and responding to what the client says, letting the person direct the pace and topics. This approach helps with low self-esteem, relationship questions and general life stress.Somatic work pays attention to bodily sensations as part of emotional processing. It can help when anxiety or trauma show up as tension, breath changes or physical shutdown. Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on understanding and processing painful memories so they interfere less with day-to-day life.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Isla will discuss the different methods and help decide which fits best based on the client's needs, goals and preferences. That decision is collaborative and may change over time as sessions progress.
Practical benefits of online counselling can include fitting sessions around work or family plans and reducing travel time. Different formats suit different needs, so please confirm which session types are offered before booking. The aim is to make regular sessions easier to attend while keeping the focus on the therapeutic work.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem and depression, plus related areas such as grief, body image and self-harm.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is person-centred and relational, combining talk with attention to bodily sensations to understand feelings and reactions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has five years' experience working with adults and young people on a range of mental health and relationship concerns.
Which professional body is she a member of?
She is registered with NCPS, as stated in her credentials.
Which languages and international clients does she support?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.