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Dawn Graham Counsellor
dip, Counselling MNCPS
About Me
I was born and brought up in Elgin. At the age of nineteen, I moved abroad with my husband due to his work commitments. After several years of moving around, I returned home soon after the birth of my first child. I am now a mother to two grown-up children and in 2022 I became a Nana for the first time.
Most recently, I have moved to a rural location on the outskirts of Elgin. The move was very much part of my own journey to find a more relaxed way of life. Living in town has many benefits but nothing quite beats looking out over the countryside and instantly feeling a sense of peace. I love making the most of the beautiful countryside we have on our doorstep here in Moray. I have a lively five-year-old Labrador called Murphy who loves to join me.
The nature of my previous employment has helped me to become the person that I am today. As a former hairdresser I felt very privileged when clients felt able to talk openly with me. Looking back now, maybe I was always destined to be a counsellor. In 2010 I enrolled in an Introduction to Counselling Skills course where I discovered the true art of listening. This gave me the foundation to build my knowledge and skills before returning to complete the Diploma some years later.
In December 2022 I ceased working as a Family Wellbeing Worker to concentrate fully on Counselling, prior to this I worked as a Senior Mental Health Link Worker which saw me based in various GP practices across Moray. During this time I also volunteered for a Counselling organisation which I really enjoyed. Alongside counselling, since 2023 I have work alongside Macmillan patients, to help them explore their emotions and discuss their confusing or upsetting feelings. The nature of my work has enabled me to attend extensive training in most aspects of Mental Health & Wellbeing.
I aim to make people feel comfortable and at ease. This being said, I am not perfect nor do I have all the answers but I am authentic and real. I will always offer a safe space and empower you to have your voice heard. As a Person-Centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I am not an expert; rather you the client is seen as the expert of you. I am here to encourage you to explore and understand you and your concerns. As your counsellor I will fulfil three core conditions:
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Congruence - to be real, authentic and honest with clients.
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Empathy - to 'feel with' clients, sensing emotionally what it's like to stand in their shoes.
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Unconditional positive regard - to value each client for the unique individual they are.
Do I sound like someone you could work with? If so, I would love to hear from you.
"Though it's sometimes hidden behind the clouds of life....
a New Dawn is always waiting to spring forth!"
For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone.
The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes.
To someone who doesn't understand growth, it would look completely like destruction.
Cynthia Occelli