A gentle place to be heard, at your own pace.
Independent counselling in Dunfermline with Aimee Hynd and Gayle Gabe, in person and online.
Two counsellors, one welcoming space.
Within the Willow is a small counselling practice on Izatt Avenue in Dunfermline, home to two independent counsellors, Aimee and Gayle. Like the willow, we believe in gentle strength and resilience as you find your own path. We share a calm counselling room and a belief that therapy should always move at your pace. We each run our own practice, so you can choose who you'd like to work with and arrange everything directly with them.
What you can expect from either of us
Your Pace
There's no right way to do therapy. We'll never rush you, and we'll work together to find what feels manageable, one session at a time.
A Safe Space
Warm, compassionate and non-judgemental. Whatever you bring, you'll be listened to with care and met with respect.
You're the Expert
You know your own life best. We work alongside you, helping you make sense of what's happening and find your own way forward.
Our Room
Aimee and Gayle both see clients in our shared counselling room on Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline. It's a quiet, softly lit space with comfortable seating, designed to help you settle in and feel at ease from the moment you arrive.
Prefer not to travel? Both counsellors also offer sessions online.
Meet
Aimee Hynd
Pluralistic Counsellor & Psychotherapist · MNCPS (Accredited)
Hi, I'm Aimee. As a pluralistic counsellor, I work collaboratively to find an approach that feels right for you, because I don't believe in "one size fits all" therapy. I have a trauma-focused background and a real passion for neurodiversity, and I often bring in creative tools such as art and sandtray to help explore thoughts and feelings in a more expressive, accessible way. I work with children, young people and adults.
Who I Work With
Children, young people and adults, in person and online. I often support people with:
- Trauma, complex PTSD and dissociation
- Childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault
- ADHD, autism and neurodiversity
- Anxiety, panic and depression
- Attachment, family and relationship difficulties
- Domestic, emotional and narcissistic abuse
- Self-esteem, self-harm and suicidal thoughts
- Bereavement, including pet bereavement
Experience & Training
I have 10 years' experience supporting children and young people affected by trauma, attachment disruption and abuse. I re-established and now lead a Children and Young People's Counselling Service in schools and colleges, and I've worked extensively with a charity supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
- Diploma in Pluralistic Counselling & Psychotherapy (2023)
- Accredited Member, National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
- Opening Pandora's Box trauma training (Safe Space)
- Sandtray therapy and Dissociative Identity Disorder (Safe Space)
- ADHD and autism; working creatively with young people
Fees & Availability
£50 for a 50 minute session, with concessions for people on a low income, students and trainee counsellors. I offer a free 15 minute phone or video call first, so we can see if we're the right fit.
My hours are flexible, including early mornings, evenings and weekends, to suit shift workers and non-traditional working patterns. I may also have limited availability for walk and talk therapy.
For young people, with Aimee
A space to be yourself, without judgement.
Being a young person can sometimes feel confusing, overwhelming or just a lot to deal with. Counselling offers a safe space where you can talk about whatever is going on for you, at your own pace.
I believe counselling doesn't always have to mean sitting and talking. Sometimes finding the words can be the hardest part. I offer creative ways to explore thoughts and feelings, including art, using objects, sandtray and other creative activities. You don't need to be artistic or know what you want to create. There is no right or wrong way to do it.
Creative activities can help make sense of feelings, experiences and thoughts that might be difficult to put into words. We can use them alongside talking, or sometimes instead of talking. You get to choose what feels comfortable for you.
Working together
There isn't a set way that counselling has to look. We can try different things and work out together what feels helpful. You can tell me if something doesn't feel right, and we can change it. My aim is to create a space where you can be yourself, feel listened to and never feel judged.
Confidentiality & your choices
If you're 12 or over, you have a say in what happens in your counselling. This includes having privacy around what you talk about.
This is called Gillick competence. Put simply, if you are able to understand what counselling involves and make your own informed decisions, your choices and confidentiality are respected.
There are some situations where I may need to share information if I'm worried about your safety or someone else's safety. If this happens, I will always talk this through with you.
Optional parent/carer reviews
For young people aged 12 and over, optional review sessions with parents or carers can be offered during counselling, with your agreement.
We will talk together beforehand about what, if anything, you would like to share. Your voice and your trust remain important throughout your counselling.
If you're not sure whether counselling is right for you, that's okay. We can start with a conversation and take it from there.
Contact Aimee
Meet
Gayle Gabe
Counsellor · MBACP
Currently taking names for my waitlist
Hi, I'm Gayle. I offer a warm, compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences at your own pace. At the heart of my work is the belief that you are the expert on your own experience. I have a special interest in women's mental health, life transitions, relationships and attachment, and I gently explore how past experiences and relationship patterns may be shaping how you feel today.
Who I Work With
Adults, in person and online. My particular focus is women's issues, and I often support people with:
- Pregnancy, the postnatal period and parenting
- Life transitions
- Relationship difficulties and attachment
- Anxiety, stress and burnout
- Depression and low self-esteem
- Bereavement
- Trauma
Approach & Training
My approach integrates person-centred and psychodynamic counselling, and I also use sandplay. Every person is unique, so I tailor therapy to your needs, experiences and relationships.
- COSCA-accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, University of Edinburgh (2025)
- Registered Member, British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
- Degree, University of St Andrews
Fees & Availability
Your first session is free and carries no obligation, so we can see whether we feel like the right fit for one another. After that, sessions are £50 for 50 minutes, and I keep a limited number of reduced-fee places.
Evening and weekend appointments are available. I'm currently running a waitlist, so please get in touch to join it.
Who should I contact?
Aimee and Gayle each work independently, with their own clients, diary and fees. If you're not sure, either will be glad to talk it through.
Aimee might suit you if…
- You're looking for support for a child or young person
- You've experienced trauma or abuse
- You're neurodivergent, or think you might be
- You'd like to try creative approaches like art or sandtray
- You work shifts and need flexibility with session times
First step: a free 15 minute call
01383 663481
Gayle might suit you if…
- You'd like support with women's mental health
- You're pregnant, a new parent or finding parenting hard
- You're going through a big life change
- Relationship or attachment patterns keep coming up
- You're feeling burnt out, stressed or low
First step: a free initial session
01383 661907
"The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination."
Carl Rogers
FAQ
Looking for a counsellor can feel overwhelming. If you can't find the answer you need, please reach out to Aimee or Gayle directly.
Do Aimee and Gayle work together?
Not with clients. Aimee and Gayle share the practice and the counselling room, but each is an independent counsellor with her own clients, diary, fees and professional membership. If you work with one of them, everything you share stays with that counsellor.
Where are you based?
Our counselling room is on Izatt Avenue, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11. Both counsellors also offer sessions online.
How much do sessions cost?
Both Aimee and Gayle charge £50 for a 50 minute session. Aimee offers concessions for people on a low income, students and trainee counsellors, and Gayle keeps a limited number of reduced-fee places. Payment is made directly to your counsellor.
What's the first step?
Aimee offers a free 15 minute phone or video call. Gayle offers a free, no-obligation first session. Either way, it's a chance to see whether you feel comfortable before committing to anything.
How do I know whether counselling is right for me?
You do not need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling. You may be dealing with anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, or simply feeling stuck. Counselling offers a confidential space to explore what is happening.
Family and friends can be a great support in times of need, but often they come with their own biases or opinions. Counselling can provide an impartial space, free of judgement, which may help you gain greater clarity, understand your thoughts and feelings more deeply, and feel more confident about the way forward.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies from person to person and is completely your choice. Some clients find that a small number of sessions is enough, while others benefit from longer-term support. We can regularly review this together and decide what feels right for you.
What if we aren't the right fit?
Finding the right counsellor is an important part of the therapeutic process. We believe the relationship between counsellor and client is one of the most important factors, so that you feel comfortable, heard and able to be yourself.
If, after meeting with us, you don't feel we're the right fit, that's absolutely okay. There is no judgement or obligation to continue. We understand that every person is different, and finding the right therapist is a personal decision.
If we're not the best match for your needs, we'll be happy to help you find someone who is. Wherever possible, we can signpost or recommend other therapists or services that may be better suited to you, because our priority is making sure you receive the support that's right for you.
Let's Connect!
Choose who you'd like to hear from and your message will go straight to them. Or, if you'd prefer to talk, give them a call.
Aimee Hynd01383 663481
Gayle Gabe01383 661907