Louise Laird
Counselling & Psychotherapy
in Aberdeenshire, UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out if you require any further information.
What is the cost of sessions, and how long are sessions?
Individual sessions are £60 and are 50-minutes in length. Relationships and couples sessions are £95 and are 60-minutes in length. My availability is Monday 10am-3pm, Tuesday 10am - 6pm, Wednesday 10am - 3pm and Thursday 10am - 6pm. Please contact me to find out availability.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no definite answer to this question, and it really does depend on what brings you to therapy. It can be safe to say you may require more than one or two sessions to make any headway. Some people find a few sessions are enough while others choose to continue long-term and use therapy as part of their ongoing mental health maintenance. There is no one correct answer to this question, but we will work together empowering you to make this decision for yourself.
What happens during a session?
During the first session I will take time to get to know you and find out what brought you to therapy. We will discuss your expectations and what you would like to achieve from our time together. We are all unique individuals, and each therapy session reflects that. There is no set structure, and you will take the lead, but I will be alongside you as you explore and make sense of the issues you are facing at your own pace. I will use questions to help you explore the challenges you are facing, and I may also gently challenge you to provide alternative perspectives and insights. The counselling relationship is central to successful therapy, it is a team effort where we both work as equals to empower you to make the changes you want.
Are our sessions confidential?
Absolutely. All the information you share with me is treated with the upmost confidence and your contact details are never passed to others where I operate in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). However, there are limits to confidentiality which I explain during our first session, where if you should tell me anything which indicates that you are a potential harm to yourself or to another, or if I believe anyone else is in danger I am legally obliged to act upon that information. I would always discuss this with you prior to any action.
What's the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
While the terms counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences between the two. Both aim to support emotional and mental wellbeing, but they may differ in approach, depth, and duration. Counselling is generally shorter in duration between 6-12 sessions, psychotherapy is longer and open ended. If you’re seeking support for a specific issue and prefer short-term help, counselling might be the right fit. If you're looking to understand long-standing emotional patterns or explore your past more deeply, psychotherapy may be more appropriate.
What's the difference between individual and relationship therapy?
Individual therapy focuses on you - your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and personal growth. It’s a space to explore your inner world, understand past experiences, and work through patterns that affect your wellbeing or relationships. The therapist’s attention is on helping you understand yourself more deeply and make changes in your own life. Relationship therapy, on the other hand, focuses on the space between people - the relationship. The therapist does not take sides or act as a referee; instead, they help you both understand what’s happening in the dynamic between you. The aim is to improve communication, rebuild trust, and create new ways of relating. There are also some practical differences: Sessions usually include both partners (though sometimes individual sessions may be helpful as part of the process). Homework or reflection exercises are often given to help you practise new ways of listening and connecting between sessions. Less focus on individual history: while some background is important, the emphasis is on how past experiences show up in the present relationship. The therapist is more directive: they’ll guide conversations, interrupt unhelpful patterns, and encourage each person to reflect on their part in the relationship dynamic. Ultimately, individual therapy supports personal insight and change, while relationship therapy supports shared understanding and connection.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy, last updated: 30 June 2026. At Louise Laird Counselling ("I", "me", "my"), I am committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, transparency, and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This Privacy Policy explains what information I collect through this website, how I use it, how it is stored, and your rights. Louise Laird provides counselling services for adults and couples in Aberdeenshire, UK. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is used, you can contact me via the contact details provided on this website. Depending on how you use this website, I may collect: Your name Email address Telephone number Any information you choose to include when completing a contact form or sending an enquiry Please avoid including sensitive personal or medical information in your initial enquiry wherever possible. Like most websites, this site may automatically collect technical information such as: IP address Browser type Device information Pages visited Time spent on the website This information helps improve the website and understand how it is being used. I use your information to: Respond to enquiries Arrange consultations or counselling appointments Communicate with you regarding my services Improve the website Meet legal or professional obligations where required I will only use your information where there is a lawful basis for doing so. Under UK GDPR, I rely on one or more of the following lawful bases: Your consent Taking steps before entering into a counselling agreement Performance of a contract Compliance with legal obligations Legitimate interests in running and improving my practice Contact Forms If you complete a contact form, the information you provide will only be used to respond to your enquiry. If you decide not to proceed with counselling, your enquiry will be securely deleted after an appropriate period unless I am legally required to retain it. This website may use cookies to improve your browsing experience and understand website usage. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can choose to disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that doing so may affect how parts of the website function. If this website uses analytics or non-essential cookies, you will be asked for your consent where required. This website may use trusted third-party providers to help operate the website, such as: Website hosting Email services Online booking systems (if applicable) Website analytics These providers only process information where necessary and are expected to protect your personal information appropriately. If you become a counselling client, any personal information collected during therapy is covered by a separate Client Privacy Notice and Counselling Agreement, which provide more detailed information about how your personal data is handled within the therapeutic relationship. Website enquiries are only retained for as long as necessary to deal with your enquiry and meet any legal or professional obligations. Counselling records are retained in accordance with professional and legal requirements and are explained within the Client Privacy Notice. I take appropriate technical and organisational measures to help protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. While no internet transmission can ever be completely secure, reasonable safeguards are in place to protect your data. Under UK GDPR, you have the right to: Access your personal information Request correction of inaccurate information Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances Restrict or object to processing in certain situations Request transfer of your information where applicable Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact me. If you have any concerns about how I collect, use or store your personal information, you have the right to make a data protection complaint directly to me. You can do this by contacting me using the contact details provided on this website or by emailing me. I will: acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 30 days; investigate your concerns fairly and thoroughly; and respond without undue delay, explaining the outcome and any action taken. I hope to resolve any concerns directly with you. However, if you remain dissatisfied with my response, or you believe I have not complied with UK data protection law, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO can be contacted via: Website: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/ Information Commissioner's Office Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
AI Use Policy, last updated: 30 June 2026. My Approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) As part of running my private practice, I may occasionally use trusted artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain administrative and business tasks. My priority is always to protect your privacy, confidentiality, and the quality of the service I provide. AI is used to assist with non-clinical tasks only. It does not replace my professional judgement, training, experience, or the therapeutic relationship. I may use AI to help with tasks such as: Drafting website content, blog articles or social media posts. Improving the wording of emails, policies and other business documents. Brainstorming ideas for workshops, presentations or resources. Assisting with general business administration. Any content produced with AI is carefully reviewed, edited and approved by me before it is used. I do not use AI to: Make clinical decisions about your care. Diagnose mental health conditions. Determine treatment plans. Replace professional supervision or clinical judgement. Conduct counselling sessions. Make decisions on your behalf. The counselling relationship remains a human, collaborative process based on professional knowledge, ethical practice and your individual needs. I take client confidentiality seriously. Where AI tools are used, I do not intentionally enter information that could directly identify you unless I am satisfied that doing so is appropriate, lawful and adequately protected. Where possible, information is anonymised or generalised before being used to assist with administrative or writing tasks. My use of technology is always guided by my legal obligations under UK data protection law and my professional duty of confidentiality. Any personal information that you provide continues to be handled in accordance with my Privacy Policy and, if you become a counselling client, my Client Privacy Notice. If you have any questions about how I use AI within my practice, please feel free to ask. I believe transparency helps build trust, and I am happy to explain how technology supports my work while ensuring that the counselling relationship remains centred on you.
Contact Me
Address
Step and Stone Health
Unit 16 (opposite M&S)
Westhill Shopping Centre
Westhill, Aberdeenshire
AB32 6RL
Contact
Sessions available in person
Opening Hours
Monday
10:00am - 3:00pm
Tuesday
10:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday
10:00am - 3:00pm
Thursday
10:00am - 6:00pm
Pricing & Sesssions
Individuals:
£60 per 50-minute session
(Students £50)
Relationships and Couples:
£95 per 60-minute session
Six prepaid hourly sessions £540.00