Laura Simmons - Counsellor and Clinical Supervisor - Aboyne

04/08/2026

Qualifications Scotland Learner Support Hub: 0345 279 1000 (8am–6pm Tuesday; 8.30am–5pm Wednesday to Friday)

Skills Development Scotland Results Helpline: 0808 100 8000, offering impartial careers advice on college, university, apprenticeships and jobs (8am–8pm Tuesday and Wednesday; 9am–5pm Thursday and Friday)

My World of Work: online guidance on next steps and alternative routes

UCAS: 0371 468 0468 (8.30am–6pm weekdays) for university and Clearing queries. You can also contact them via direct message on Facebook (facebook.com/ucasonline) or Instagram ()

Please also speak to teachers or guidance staff at school. An appeals service is available free of charge through schools, colleges or directly via Qualifications Scotland’s “learner direct service”, which opens on results day at 9am.

If you’re really stuggling with your mental health and need support at any time, call The Samaritans on 116 123 - they’re open 24/7 all year round and you can talk about any issue no matter how big or small.

Take care of yourselves 💜💜💜

03/08/2026

Such an important service 🌈 ⚧️ 🏳️‍⚧️

NHS Grampian Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) Support 💜

Waiting for your first appointment with the NHS Grampian Gender Identity Clinic can feel overwhelming. That’s why the new GIC Support service has been created in partnership between NHS Grampian and Four Pillars, with funding from the Scottish Government.

This free, optional service is available to anyone currently on the GIC waiting list and is designed to provide guidance, reassurance, and practical support while you wait for your first assessment.

Through GIC Support, you can access:

✨ Information and preparation for your first GIC appointment.
🌈 Support with social transition, helping you explore options that may reduce gender dysphoria while you wait.
💻 Flexible support in person, over the phone, or online via Microsoft Teams.
🤝 Ongoing one-to-one support with no limit on the number of sessions.
❤️ Guidance from advocates with both professional knowledge and lived experience of the GIC pathway.

Taking part is entirely your choice. Accessing GIC Support will not affect your place on the waiting list or your referral in any way.

Together, NHS Grampian and Four Pillars are committed to ensuring that no one has to navigate the waiting period alone.

📧 To find out more or arrange support, email [email protected]

18/05/2026

Perhaps you’re taking action this by speaking to a counsellor for the first time 🤍

That step can feel big, unfamiliar, or even overwhelming – so here are some questions you can save for later, ask in a first session, or share with someone else who might be thinking about getting support too.

Because feeling informed and supported can make reaching out feel a little less daunting.

13/05/2026

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

03/05/2026

I had the privilege of being invited by Ingrid Huldal and the Together For Teens group to deliver a session on Conversations About Su***de for parents and carers. What a fantastic afternoon! I am passionate about raising awareness of su***de prevention, and supporting parents to feel empowered to have difficult conversations. The small group (indicative of the holiday weekend!) got stuck in and were amazing 🌟 thank you so much, and I look forward to sharing this topic and leading discussions with more parents and carers across Deeside (and beyond!) in the coming months 💜💜💜

13/04/2026

I love this graphic by The Secure Relationship - if you feel as if you and your partner are not aligned right now, relationship counselling could help. Let’s meet for a short (free) introductory session! Reach out on Facebook messenger, call or message me on 07858 248 395, or email me via [email protected]

🪴

10/03/2026

Here's a little cheat sheet for happy boosting chemicals in the brain.
(And of course, store-bought is fine too because some brains don't want to cooperate)

05/03/2026

Safety in therapy doesn’t mean it will always feel calm or 'easy', or that difficult things wont be brought to the surface.
It means that when hard emotions do arise, the relationship remains consistent and steady enough for healing to happen.

10/02/2026

25/01/2026

https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/relationships/couples-counselling/

BACP members Arabella Russell and Vasia Toxavidi discuss how couples therapy – or relationship counselling - can help improve your relationship