Tel: 07875 321788
About Chala
A resting place where you can be yourself
Our Story
Chala counselling and psychotherapy was established in 2018 to provide a professional, confidential and friendly service. I aim to offer support which recognises every person as an individual. By offering a range of support including animal facilitated therapy , nature based sessions, walk and talk, telephone and online sessions and specialist support i hope to be able to offer choice and flexibility for you get what you need from your therapy session. I can also provide bespoke training for groups, staff teams and professionals as well as consultation for services and individuals.
I offer specialist support for equestrians and for those living and working in rural communities.
About Me
Hannah MacIntosh BSc, MSc, MBACP
Counsellor & Psychotherapist
Welcome to Chala counselling and psychotherapy. I set up Chala shortly after i gained an MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of Strathclyde. Following a successful career working in the equine industry i made a career change and retrained in psychology and mental health. I finally completed my therapy training after working for 6 years in mental health and social care services. During this time i have also gained an MSc from the University of Stirling in Human Animal Interactions, where i specialised in working with animals in therapeutic settings. I have extensive experience working in adult mental health, in-patient psychiatry, autism services, addictions and child and family services, NHS occupational health settings and community mental health services. I have also written and delivered training for a wide variety of statutory, third sector and private services. ​I have considerable research experience which i am able to draw upon and this provides a foundation for me practice and development.​ Along side my therapy work i am also involved with teaching and training in the counselling profession up to MSc level at the university of Strathclyde and also offer consultancy and training to range of services and organisations and groups.
My therapeutic work
I am a qualified person centred therapist. This means that she will work to understand an individual’s experience from their perspective, positively valuing the person in all aspects of their humanity, while aiming to be open and genuine. A vital part of the therapy is helping the client feel accepted, and better able to understand their own feelings. The approach can help the client to reconnect with their inner values and sense of self-worth, thus enabling them to find their own way to move forward and progress.
I have always been involved with horses and farming and now enjoy my own horse. Before i retrained as a therapist i worked in the horse industry, grooming and training and coaching. I competed in show jumping and eventing and worked with young horses and horses that needed re-schooling. After completing my training i started working with the RSABI offering counselling as part of their support services and i have been very lucky to be able to bring my passion back into my work through my equine facilitated therapy, animal assisted therapy, eco therapy and work with equestrians and people from the farming and rural communities.
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I spend as much time as i can with horses now and also with my dogs and on the farm. I love to be outside and busy and enjoy opportunities where i can be creative.
Links
QMS podcast. I chat to Chris McVey from RSABI about some practical strategies to manage stress for individuals and their families across the agricultural sector including farming and crofting.
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Equiteam Podcast - 17 September 2024
Liz Daniels chats to psychotherapist and teaching fellow, Hannah MacIntosh about our brains and why we find it so hard to be nice about ourselves.
Have you ever finished a dressage test, lesson, or showing jumping round and the first thing that comes out of your mouth is a negative comment – don’t worry you’re certainly not alone!
Hannah explains why we do this and looks at the impact on our mindset and enjoyment levels as she shares some brilliant and practical tips for helping to refocus your thoughts.
Listen here
http://sites.libsyn.com/399662/why-are-equestrians-so-hard-on-themselves
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Stephen, S., Bell, L., Khan, M., Love, R., Macintosh, H., Martin, M., ... & Elliott, R. (2022). Comparing helpful and hindering processes in good and poor outcome cases: A qualitative metasynthesis of eight Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design studies. Psychotherapy Research, 32(3), 389-403
Access it here
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10503307.2021.1934746
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
Are you looking for help to feel better, explore aspects of your life or feel happier? Would you like to take control of your life, have a space where you can think and feel safe? ​​Do you have concerns which have troubled you for some time or which may be the result of a recent event, crisis of loss? Do you feel confused, worried or anxious? Are you struggling with some aspect of your life or with something that has happened or is troubling you? ​People choose to seek counselling and therapy for many reasons. Some people come with a clear idea about what they would like help with. Others may feel confused or unsure of how or where to start. people have never accessed help and support from anywhere before. Others may have a diagnosis or have been prescribed medication or have been to see a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist before. ​You may have been thinking about seeking help for some time or have previously been to see a counsellor or therapist. ​People will often seek help from a therapist for the following reasons: ​Low mood - feeling exhausted, under pressure or worn out.Anxiety, worry and stress.Traumatic events – accidents, victim of crime, abuse or domestic violence History of childhood sexual, physical or emotional abuse.Relationship or family difficulties.Work pressure – financial worries, work/life balanceMajor life changes - divorce, bereavement, pregnancy, illness or loss of confidence​.