About Me

My name is Fiona Firman and I established Chrysallis Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2010

I was born in Northern Ireland and studied at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, obtaining a BA Honours degree in Humanities. I have lived in Edinburgh since 2002 and have worked in the field of mental health for over 20 years gaining an extensive range of experience.

During my career I have worked within the private and voluntary sectors, gaining substantial knowledge and experience in working with people who experience severe and enduring mental health difficulties, and working with adult survivors of childhood trauma and/or abuse, as well as anxiety, depression, self harm and addictions.

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About Me

I trained to be a psychotherapist having first come to therapy as a client and experienced the profound benefits in my own life. I began retraining as a counsellor/psychotherapist in 2005, and have acquired over 8,000 hours of clinical experience in working with and treating a variety of presenting issues including:

anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, panic attacks, assertiveness, anger management, relationship difficulties, work-related problems, bereavement, self-harm, eating disorders, sexual identity problems, addictions, personality problems, adult survivors of childhood trauma, survivors of adult trauma, abuse and violence, and PTSD.

I have specialist training and considerable experience in working with and treating anxiety, depression, eating disorders, adult survivors of childhood trauma, survivors of adult trauma, abuse and violence, and PTSD.

I am a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist holding a Masters in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy from Middlesex University, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Transactional Analysis from Queen Margaret University. I also hold a Diploma in Transactional Analysis, which is validated by COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland). Furthermore, I am a Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA), with psychotherapy as my chosen field of application.

I have particular expertise in working with clients who have a Borderline process and/or a formal diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

I identify as Neurodivergent, and have a particular interest in working with clients who identify as and/or have been formally diagnosed with ASD or ADHD.

I have completed four years of post graduate training and professional development with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Institute in Edinburgh.

I am a qualified supervisor, holding a Certificate in Counselling Supervision, which was awarded to me in July 2016 by Physis Scotland in Edinburgh.

I am registered with the UK Association of Transactional Analysis (UKATA) as a psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer with psychotherapy speciality (PTSTA). I provide clinical supervision to trainee counsellors and psychotherapists and qualified practitioners. I am a Co-Director of Physis Scotland, which is the only TA (Transactional Analysis) training institute in Scotland. Working in partnership with Fiona Cook, I have overall charge of the ongoing Physis Scotland Counselling and Psychotherapy training programme, its syllabus and accreditation with UKATA, UKCP and COSCA. I also plan the annual calendar and CPD workshops. In addition, I co-teach on the Foundation Year programme and liaise with all other trainers involved in delivery of the courses offered at Physis Scotland. I am the contact point for all trainees currently attending the programme.

My practice is supervised according to the UK Association for Transactional Analysis and I attend ongoing personal therapy, training and professional development. Furthermore, my practice is fully covered by professional indemnity insurance provided by the Psychologist Protection Society, who are based in Alloa.

Qualifications

I’m a fully qualified counsellor and psychotherapist with considerable experience in working with and treating a wide range of issues such as anxiety and depression, eating disorders, and the effects of trauma, abuse and violence.

  • (P)TSTA Provisional Training and Supervising Transactional Analyst
  • Certificate in Counselling Supervision (2016)
  • MSc in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy (2015)
  • CTA (P) (2015)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling (2013)
  • Diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling (2010)
  • SVQ Level 3 in Social Care (2010)
  • BA (Hons) Modern Studies in the Humanities (1998)

Memberships

  • I am registered with UKATA (UK Association for Transactional Analysis) which is registered and overseen by the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)
  • I am a UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) registered psychotherapist.
  • I am an Accredited (Other UK Professional Body) member of COSCA
  • I subscribe to the Code of Ethics of UKATA, UKCP and COSCA
  • I am a member of the Scottish Transactional Analysis Association (STAA), which seeks to promote TA in Scotland.
  • I am a member of the ITAA (International Transactional Analysis Association).
  • I hold an ongoing training contract with EATA (European Association of Transactional Analysis)

Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy for Individuals and Couples in Edinburgh.

If you'd like to hear more about the work I do, please call 07842613004 or email fiona@chrysalliscounselling.co.uk.