Isla Donaldson

Isla Donaldson NCPS welcomes people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and low self-esteem. She works with issues such as body image, attachment wounds, guilt and shame, loneliness, and difficulties around life purpose. Isla writes plainly and listens closely to what matters most to each person she sees. She creates a calm, collaborative space where the client’s experience leads the conversation. Sessions are guided by the person-centred approach, so the pace and focus shift to suit individual needs. Isla stays alongside clients with understanding and honest challenge when it will help move things forward. Isla also uses somatic and trauma-focused ways of working that pay attention to bodily feeling in the moment. That can mean noticing sensations, breath or movement to help process emotion and memory and to rebuild a steadying sense of control. These methods are offered alongside relational work that looks at how past attachment and current relationships affect daily life. She has five years of clinical experience, including supporting people who have survived sexual assault and abuse, those facing suicidal ideation or self-harm, and people coping with grief and hospice or end-of-life concerns. Isla aims to help people find more self-trust, clarity and hope. Isla holds an undergraduate degree in Humanistic Counselling Practice (BA) and lists NCPS as a credential. She continues to train in somatics, trauma work, attachment theory and related areas to refine her practice.

How Isla's approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding. The counsellor follows your lead, reflects what she hears and helps you make sense of your own priorities and choices. This approach is useful for relationship worries, self-worth questions and general life stress. Somatic Therapy pays attention to bodily feeling and sensations as they arise. It can involve gentle noticing of breath, posture or bodily reactions to help process emotions and manage nervous system activation. This can support people working with trauma, anxiety or overwhelm. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Isla will talk with you about your needs, goals and preferences and together you will decide which methods to try. The process is collaborative, with room to adapt as therapy progresses. Online therapy can make fitting sessions into a busy life easier, for example by reducing travel time or allowing shorter check-ins during a work break. Because session formats are not specified in the biography, please confirm the exact online options available before booking. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists commonly offer online sessions that help maintain continuity of care when attending in person is difficult, and the same focused therapeutic work can be carried out remotely with thoughtful planning and collaboration.