About Me
About me
I’m Samantha McEwan, a BACP registered psychotherapist and mental health nurse, providing therapy and counselling in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and online.
My interest in psychotherapy comes from a belief that our struggles make sense when we’re given space to understand them — especially when we’ve had to continually adapt to difficult experiences, relationships or environments over time without having the opportunity to realise their impact.
While I have a strong clinical background in mental health nursing that gives me a deep understanding of the complex issues that impact wellbeing, and the ability to draw on a range of evidence-based approaches with sensitivity to client needs, I don’t believe therapy should feel technical or overwhelming.
I bring a well-rounded, ethical and person-centred perspective to my therapy practice. What matters most to me is that you feel safe, respected and supported.
Outside of therapy sessions, I continue to develop my practice through training, supervision and reflective work, ensuring the therapy I offer remains thoughtful and ethical.
Please do read some of my client testimonials about their experience of therapy with me.
Some of my clinical background and qualifications are detailed below for your information.
Background
I have over 25 years experience working in NHS mental health, with my clinical background in mental health nursing giving me a rich expertise in working with people who experience mild through to complex or more severe mental health difficulties. I consider physical health needs, the effects of medication and take a 'whole person', holistic approach.
I’ve worked across Primary and Secondary Care mental health services supporting individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health difficulties, including the impact of trauma, anxiety, depression and chronic physical health conditions.
This work led on to mental health nursing education, and then to national mental health service improvement, coaching and leadership roles to improve person centred, therapeutic and trauma sensitive care and practice across Scotland’s mental health inpatient services (some of my work on this is published); and to develop trauma informed mental health and suicide prevention education and training progammes- which are now used by the NHS and social care workforce in Scotland-alongside growing my own therapy practice.
I continue to enjoy teaching as a tutor on the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate course to aspiring counsellors and therapists in Scotland.
I am also a volunteer therapist with a charity in England which provides support for people who have been sexually abused in childhood, and for non-offending partners or relatives of perpetrators of sexual offences.
Qualifications
- Pg Diploma (MSc Level 11) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Diploma and BSc Mental Health Nursing
- MSc Mental Health Nursing Advanced Practice & Leadership
- Pg Certificate CBT
- Certificate in Trauma Recovery Coaching (ICF Accredited)
- BA Social Sciences (Behavioural Science)
- Certificate in Couples Therapy
- Certificate in Human Relations and Counselling (Psychodynamic focus)
- Certificate in Coaching for Professional Growth (Full Circle)
- Pg Cert Teaching & Learning Higher Education
I undertake regular clinical supervision and CPD/ training - e.g. on trauma, adapting therapy for neurodivergence.
