- Client-centred approach
- Somatic awareness
- Trauma-informed focus
About Isla
Isla Donaldson, NCPS, helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and the effects of trauma or abuse. She offers a calm, attentive presence and focuses on each person’s immediate experience. Conversations are grounded in what feels most important to the individual in the moment.
Isla takes a client-centred approach that puts the person’s needs and pace first. She combines this with somatic and trauma-informed ideas, using bodily sensations and present-moment feelings to make sense of difficult memories and emotions. This way of working can help people notice patterns, ease intense feelings and build clearer ways of responding.
Sessions aim to be collaborative. Isla listens closely and mirrors what she hears, while also inviting reflection and gentle challenge when helpful. The focus is on increasing self-awareness, self-acceptance and a steadier sense of inner safety so people can act with more clarity and hope in daily life.
Her background includes study in humanistic counselling practice and ongoing training in somatics, trauma work, attachment and related areas. She brings five years of practical experience supporting people through grief, self-harm, post-traumatic stress and other complex concerns.
Isla works from the United Kingdom and conducts sessions in English. If you want to explore whether she’s a good match, she asks people to complete a short questionnaire and then schedule a meeting to talk about goals and next steps.
How Isla’s approaches translate to online therapy
Client-centred work focuses on the person’s experience and priorities. Online sessions using this approach still centre on the individual, with the therapist following the person’s pace, reflecting their concerns and helping them make sense of what matters most. This approach can help with emotional clarity, self-esteem and relationship questions.Somatic-informed work pays attention to body sensations and present-moment feelings. In online meetings this might involve gently noticing physical reactions, breath or posture and using those observations to process emotion and calm the nervous system. It can be helpful for trauma, anxiety and overwhelming states where the body holds strong reactions.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals and preferences and will suggest which methods to try. This is a collaborative decision and can change as therapy progresses.
Confirm the session formats before booking because the biography does not list specific delivery methods. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow someone to meet from different locations. It can also allow shorter check-ins or quieter audio-only sessions if that better matches someone’s energy, bandwidth or daily routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Isla help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues and the effects of trauma and abuse, plus related concerns such as low self-esteem, grief, isolation and body image struggles.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and person-centred. She listens closely, follows each person’s pace and uses present-moment experience and bodily sensations to guide the work.
What is her professional background?
Isla has five years of experience and a first-class BA in Humanistic Counselling Practice. She has also completed additional training in somatics, trauma approaches and related areas.
Where does she practise and what are her credentials?
She is based in the United Kingdom and holds the NCPS credential as supplied in her profile.
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
She does not accept international clients at this time; sessions are offered in English to people within the United Kingdom.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats and arrangements can vary.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist’s availability.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.