Stuart Morgan-Ayrs
Counsellor in Edinburgh

Stuart trained 1993-1996 in Analysis, Stress management counselling and clinical hypnotherapy with the Association of Stress Management. ASM training is recognised by Society of Stress Managers. The Society of Stress Managers is a CNHC regulator verification pathway. ASM training was externally accredited via NVQ accreditation providing not only a professional diploma, but also in this case an NVQ Level 4 award (new revised scale level 5).

Stuart then completed a second accreditation process with the National Association of Counsellors Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists (NACHP) which previously had been HIPC / UKCP validated, in humanistic counselling, clinical psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy. (level 5+)

Since graduating Stuart has completed a wide range of Continuous Professional Development training, ranging from mindfulness training to externally accredited vocational awards in different forms of counselling and psychotherapy, CBASP, MBSR, MBCT, ACT, RO-DBT, multiple forms of Clinical Mindfulness and a MSc Psychology. (Level 7+)

Stuart specialises in trauma, Complex Trauma, and common comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression. Stuart has completed multiple post graduate, post qualification specialist certifications in trauma, Complex Trauma, depression and anxiety. Stuart's other speciality is neuro-divergence, having completed post graduate specialist certification in ASD and ADHD management. Stuart is both a C-PTSD trauma survivor and is personally neuro-divergent himself.

Stuart combines Analytic methods with psycho education and with a range of Western and Eastern psychology methods, including CBT, MBCT, mindfulness and psychoanalytic psychology.

Change methods used include clinical hypnotherapy coaching,, CBT, MBCT and NLP.

Stuart is an integrative practitioner, meaning that he combines therapy methods according to the needs of the individual client, not providing a "one size fits all" or "conveyor belt" approach. All therapy processes are built around research evidenced effective methods. Stuart specialises in complex trauma and is a multiple certified trauma specialist or traumatologist, including with Evergreen (PESI) who are recognised internationally, and the Arizona Trauma Institute who are recognised as leading experts in the field.

Trauma informed therapy or traumatology is provided within the 3 stage model, internationally recognised by experts and organisations as the safe "gold standard" for complex trauma care.
0- Before therapy establish safety and trust
1- Self regulation and psychoeducation
2 -Deeper processing, attachment issues, relationship issues
3- Post trauma growth and tidy up any residual issues such as flashbacks

Leading trauma experts agree that without teaching proper self regulation and understanding in stage 1, it is contra indicated and dangerous to rush into memory processing methods such as EMDR and hypnosis. Anyone offering to dive straight into this work with a dysregulated (anxious and symptomatic) client is not being efficient, they are failing to follow safety protocols. NICE guidelines recommend only seeking a specialist for trauma, only consulting someone who uses a manualised treatment method (like the 3 stage method) and prohibits the use of trauma "debriefing" or premature use of visualisation based methods (hypnosis, EMDR etc) without the appropriate preparatory stage(s). The NICE guidelines also indicate comprehensive knowledge of co-morbid conditions is needed.

Background & Counselling Qualifications

After completing a BSc (Hons) IIT specialising in Human Resources and systems, Stuart completed a professional level 5 Diploma with external NVQ assessment with the Association of Stress managers in Analysis, Stress Management Counselling and Clinical Hypnotherapy. He then completed (level 5+) accreditation with the National Association of Counsellors Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists in Psychoanalysis, Counselling, Hypnosis, CBT and integrative clinical psychotherapy.

Post qualification Stuart has completed a range of additional awards including:
University Certificate in Inter-personnel Communication (Lampeter University)
University Certificate (various topics, mainly psychology, theology and philosophy) (Edinburgh University)
BA (Hons) Open specialising in psychology and social studies (Open University)
BA(Hons) Psychology and Philosophy of the mind.
MSc Psychology specialising in Identity, Linguistics, Psychoanalysis and Biological Psychology (Open University)
Level 4 Hypnotherapy (ASET)
Level 4 Psychotherapy (ASET)
Level 4 Counselling (ASET)
Level 4 Mental health in Social Work (ASET)
Level 4 Competence in Social Work 9ASET)
Level 3 Grief Counselling (ASET)
Level 3 NLP (ASET)
Level 3 Coaching (ASET)
Level 3 Psychotherapy (ASET)
Level 7 Complex Trauma post grad diploma
Sidereus Hypnosis diploma
Mindfulness, Naikan and Morita personal training (TODO Institute)

Post graduate post qualification certifications require a minimum of a Masters Degree and License to practice to be accepted, and then a minimum score of 80% on the final professional examination.

Certified Specialist Clinical Mindfulness (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Functional Trauma Medicine (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Individual Trauma (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Complex Trauma (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Hypnosis and Neurology Informed Traumatology (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Anxiety Disorders (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Depression and Mood Disorders (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Grief Counselling (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist Advanced Grief Therapy (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified Specialist ADHD and Behavioural Disorders (Level 7 post graduate, post qualification)
Certified DBT for BPD
Certified Specialist in ASD


Post Graduate CPD Training:

Interpersonal NeuroBiology (Mindsight Institute - Professor Dan Siegel)
Polyvagal training CPD courses
IFS CPD Courses
DBT CPD Courses
EMDR CPD Courses
Somatic Processing for Trauma
MEMI Advanced EMDR
Trauma Research Foundation Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies (with Bessel van Der Kolk)

Stuart is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health, Fellow of the National Association of Counsellors Hypnotherapists and Psychotherapists. He continues to complete university level and vocational ongoing professional development. Registered practitioner with CTHA (complementary therapy) and the BAThH (therapeutic hypnosis and NLP), both CNHC validation bodies.

Stuart is registered on the CNHC Accredited register under hypnotherapy. Accredited registers are maintained by the Professional Standards Authority for healthcare professionals not subject to statutory regulation.

Stuart is also PVG checked for work with young people and vulnerable adults (PVG is the enhanced disclosure system in Scotland)

Stuart is first aid at work certificated. Stuart is professionally insured.

Stuart also is Certified Competent in a number of additional therapy models including RO DBT, ACT, Mindfulness, CBASP.

My Specialisms

Stuart specialises in using a combination of analysis, talking therapy, Somatic therapy, Mind Body therapy, and CBT based psychological therapies (as recommended by NICE) to address a range of mental health conditions including Trauma, Complex Trauma, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Eating Disorders, Personality Disorders, OCD and PTSD.

Therapy is based around core methods recommended and evidenced by Research Methods and or Nice. Trauma treatment protocols are recommended by the APA (lead professional regulator in the USA). Stuart is an International registered APA practitioner (psychologist)

Stuart also uses analysis and talking therapy to address patterns in people's lives which may include dysfunctional relationships, motivational issues, tendency for self sabotage, co dependent relationships, passive aggressive behaviours, stress management and anger management.

Clinical hypnotherapy is also used, not only as part of addressing the above conditions, but also for Phobias, Public Speaking, behavioural Change, Motivation, Confidence, Sports Hypnosis, Performance and stress management relaxation. Hypnotherapy (as recommended by NICE) is also used for irritable Bowel Syndrome and (as recommended by Anxiety UK) for anxiety management.

Stress / anxiety management is a key function of both Stuart's training and practice and this is crucial in a wide range of conditions in which stress or anxiety play a part. This can include psychosomatic illness and pain management.

Approach to Counselling & How I Work

An integrative approach combining core therapies with other therapies studies from a range of counselling and psychotherapy models. Stuart believes in the expression: "If all you have is a hammer, all you see is nails". Therefore Stuart uses a wide range of tools, so as to adapt to the client, and not expect the client to "fit the therapy".

Initial core approaches:

Analysis, including psychoanalysis (influences including Lacan, Freud, Klein, Jung), philosophical (influences including Foucault, Lacan, Nietzsche, Hume) , logical, linguistic (influences including discourse, Lacan and Foucault) and CBT based.

Clinical Hypnotherapy, used both as a behavioural change and as a platform for psychological therapies including analysis, visualisation, stress management and CBT.

Mindfulness based psychological therapies and related psychological therapies including CBT, MBCT, MBSR, ACT, DBT, RO-DBT Mindfulness and eastern psychologies including Naikan, Satori and Morita.

Coaching or Education based processes including NLP, CBT, Life Coaching, Morita, health Education.

Overall approach:
1. Analysis to identify patterns and underlying issues
2. CBT, Coaching, Hypnotherapy to enable change
3. Mindfulness, Psychology and other methods as needed to enable empowerment and self awareness
These are not in a static 1.2.3 and finish pattern, they repeat and mingle as needed by the client and the range of issues being worked on.

In trauma cases, which is the speciality the 3 stage approach is used:
(Before therapy proper, establish trust and safety with practitioner and practice environment)
1. Stabilise and teach self regulation
2. Once calm and self regulated deeper issues and patterns of trauma can be addressed including somatic processing, attachment issues, relationships, core beliefs. Later in this stage where appropriate memory processing can be carried out.
3. Post trauma growth - building a new future, and tidy up any residual flashback type issues


STUART NOW WORKS OUT OF ONE CLINIC LOCATION IN CENTRAL ENDINBURGH
South St Andrews Street is just off of the main shopping area, about 20 yards from a tram stop, 300 yards from main rail station, multiple bus routes.

Therapies & Rates

Please note the rates detailed below are there to give you an idea of the therapists standard rates, we strongly advise you contact the therapist for more detailed rates and any offers they may have.

Therapy	Appointment Type	Rate
Hypnotherapy	In Person	£125 per 55 minutes
Psychotherapy	In Person	£125 per 55 minutes
Counselling	In Person	£125 per 55 minutes

Additional Rate Information

The standard rate for a working person below maximum income tax threshold is shown. Persons earning over the max income tax threshold are £160 per 55 mins Persons on supported income, in financial hardship, and students are £100 per 55 mins