Who we are
The Counselling and Mental Wellbeing team is here to support you throughout your university experience. Our goal is to help you feel content, healthy, and well-supported. If you are facing challenges with your mental health, we are here to help.
If you need to speak to someone urgently outside of office hours, please consult our emergency and out of hours support. If you are a fellow student, family member or member of staff concerned about a student's mental health, please contact counselling@napier.ac.uk and safeguarding@napier.ac.uk.
Terezia Brunklaus - Head of Student Counselling and Wellbeing
I manage the counselling and wellbeing service here at Edinburgh Napier University. I'm also a counsellor with specific experience and interest in trauma-informed practice. As a manager, I care deeply about student support and the delivery of services based on innovative models of care and safe and ethical practice.
On a personal note, my background is Pan-European, with roots in Sweden, The Netherlands and Hungary. I am also an avid reader who loves cooking and spending time with loved ones, be that family or friends.
Amy Beddows - Student Counsellor
I provide mental health and wellbeing support to students as part of the Counselling & Mental Wellbeing Service. I am a CBT therapist specialised in working with people who have experienced trauma, I enjoy running psychoeducational workshops and have a special interest in the ways that media can be beneficial for our mental wellbeing.
Outside of work, I enjoy horror films, chocolates, and have a cheeky pair of pet rats called Charlie and Frank!
Lucy Micha - Clinical Lead Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
I am the Clinical Lead Cognitive behavioural therapist within the Napier Wellbeing and Inclusion team. I am an integrative therapist and a clinical supervisor, I offer both counselling and CBT appointments to students online and face to face at Merchiston campus.
I also offer Mental Health Assessments and Single session Therapy appointments. I have years of experience working in mental health services and provide a safe, compassionate, professional, and confidential space to help support students, facilitate change, and explore difficulties during challenging times. I am here to listen and to help you find ways to move forward.
Martha Mawakif Alrai - Student counsellor
I provide counselling to students in person or online at Edinburgh Napier University. providing a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental setting for students who are going through a difficult and challenging time. I am a fully qualified therapist and member of BACP and provide a warm, nonjudgmental, and welcoming therapeutic environment.
I've worked with clients who have depression, anxiety, stress, grief, low self-esteem, sexual and emotional abuse, PTSD, Trauma, relationships, coping with long-term illness and working through change. I've worked with individuals from many backgrounds, and I'm aware of and sensitive to gender, race, ethnicity, and cultural diversity.
Leah MacGilp - Mental Health Adviser
I have been a Mental Health Adviser at Edinburgh Napier University for 10 years.
I previously worked as an MHA at Birmingham City University. I worked in the NHS in Birmingham as a Mental Health Nurse, Specialist Practitioner in Psychotherapy and a Nurse Therapist in various roles. I have worked in Mental Health since 1983. I am quite mature!
Outside of work I love being in nature, walking, kayaking and swimming. I really enjoy art, music, books, theatre, film, dance – anything creative!
Moira Feenan - Cognitive Behaviour Therapist
I deliver CBT Therapy to students who request support and assistance in managing their mental health, anxieties, and wellbeing.Lucy Caldwell - Student Counsellor/Wellbeing & Inclusion Operations Co-ordinator
I have two roles within the Wellbeing & Inclusion team. I am a Student Counsellor, and also provide administrative support for the Counselling & Mental Wellbeing Service.
I aim to make each individual’s experience with our service the best it can be, helping students from the initial enquiry stage, assisting with appointment booking, assessing their needs, and then providing professional counselling as well.
Claire Donoghue - Student Counsellor
As a person-centred/integrative counsellor I offer students a safe and confidential space to talk through issues they may be experiencing. My approach is warm and non-judgemental, valuing the individual needs of each person using a variety of creative and interactive approaches. As part of the Wellbeing Team, I will sometimes refer students onto other services ensuring they have the professional support they need.I have over 20 years experience of Counselling students in different educational settings. Having recently relocated back to my home of Edinburgh, I am enjoying working with the wide variety of students at Napier University.
Andrew Thomson - Student Counsellor
I have been working as an Integrative Counsellor at Edinburgh Napier University, since 2012 & am trained in a combination of therapeutic approaches. I see students for counselling sessions both online & face-to-face, at Merchiston Campus.
I offer a genuine & supportive space for students to share the emotional impact of their struggles. Together, we might explore & reflect on life’s challenges & navigate a path to greater self-fulfilment.
Since 2014 I have also been working as a counsellor with a charity called NEECS, which supports young people & adults living in the North East of Edinburgh.
Claire Donoghue - Student Counsellor
As a person-centred/integrative counsellor I offer students a safe and confidential space to talk through issues they may be experiencing. My approach is warm and non-judgemental, valuing the individual needs of each person using a variety of creative and interactive approaches. As part of the Wellbeing Team, I will sometimes refer students onto other services ensuring they have the professional support they need.
I have over 20 years experience of Counselling students in different educational settings. Having recently relocated back to my home of Edinburgh, I am enjoying working with the wide variety of students at Napier University.
Dimitra Krokou - Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
Eden Milne - CBT Therapist/ Integrative Therapist
I am a CBT therapist and offer both CBT appointments and integrative counselling to students at Edinburgh Napier University. I offer Mental Health Assessment appointments and Single Session Therapy appointments.
I am here to listen empathically and provide a supportive space either online, by phone or face to face appointments, where students can explore any difficulties they may be struggling with, set goals and try to find different ways to move forward.
I am a Mental Health First aider and Suicide Intervention Skills trained and I’m part of the Mental Health Champions at the University. I am also very passionate about suicide prevention work and working with those bereaved by suicide. As a military spouse, I enjoy working with veterans in education and am part of the Armed Forces Network at Napier.
Holly Gardner - Mental Health Adviser
I am a qualified mental health nurse working as a Mental Health Adviser. The primary role of the Mental Health Adviser is to work individually to support any student struggling with their mental health. This work is occasional but can be long term throughout the student’s university experience. MHAs offer therapeutic support, looking at coping strategies, anxiety management and wellbeing advice and can liaise with internal and external agencies. We often work with students with a complex presentation whether they have a formal diagnosis or not. Many of our students may have more than one diagnosis or condition and may also be supported by Disability and Inclusion. We also work closely with the Safeguarding team, Academic Skills and ENSA.
We also provide Psycho-educational workshops, with topics such as Stress Management, Loneliness and Isolation and Managing Thoughts. We also run Mental Health Awareness training for staff groups and are involved in policy, culture change and stigma reduction within the wider university.
Hsin-Shao Chang - Student Counsellor
I am a counsellor with a passion for creating a relaxed and supportive space. My aim is to help you explore, grow, and navigate life's twists.
In our sessions, the focus is on understanding your unique journey. If life's throwing some challenges your way, I'm here for a thoughtful chat about personal growth and self-discovery. No judgment, just a safe space to dive deep.
Taking a holistic approach, we'll unravel the intricacies of your life, seeking that perfect balance and harmony. My goal is to support you on the journey towards healing, resilience, and a brighter tomorrow.
Jill Punton - Student Counsellor
I offer counselling to students at Edinburgh Napier University. I offer a warm, non-judgemental and accepting therapeutic space for students to explore any difficulties they may wish to bring to counselling.
Previously I worked in addictions for 20 years and with women who have experienced sexual violence.
Outwith my work at Napier, I mentor students on the Counselling Programme at Edinburgh University. I also work privately as a Supervisor and Therapist.
I love the opportunity at Napier to meet and work with such a diverse group of students.
Jude Sevestre - Evening Counselling Lead
I lead the evening team of counsellors at ENU and supervise a number of trainee counsellors on placement. I also provide counselling, assessments and single session therapy to students who register for our service. I’ve worked as a counsellor within the education sector for a number of years and feel very grateful to be a part of the amazing Wellbeing and Inclusion team at Napier.
Outside of work I enjoy drumming, rock climbing, Munro bagging, coffee (!) and reading a silly amount of books.
Lyn Halley - Mental Health Adviser
I am a qualified Psychological Therapist working as a Mental Health Adviser as part of the Wellbeing Team. In our role we offer advice, practical and emotional support and therapeutic interventions to students with any short or long-term Mental Health difficulty, working with complexity, comorbidity and diagnosed/undiagnosed students. We can assist in exploring coping strategies, life skills, healthy routines and sharing wellbeing advice and information, working individually with students throughout their academic journey on a flexible and occasional basis.
We also work with and refer to other Student Support Services such as Disability and Inclusion, Academic Skills and Safeguarding etc. With students’ permission we can also liaise and refer to internal and external agencies such as NHS services etc. We can support and advise on all aspects of student life and assist students with applying for deferrals, suspensions and Extenuating Circumstances.
We also design and deliver health promotion events and psychoeducational wellbeing workshops on topics such as managing emotions, loneliness, sleep, stress etc. We run various staff training in Mental Health Awareness, Supporting Students, Therapeutic Approaches and other bespoke workshops.
Maria Agraso Luna - Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
I offer therapy too students at Edinburgh Napier University. I offer a safe space and non-judgmental space for students to explore any difficulties that bring them to therapy. At the beginning of therapy, we will set a therapy goal and we will work on identifying your triggers for negative emotions. We will also explore them and discuss alternative coping strategies.
I am experienced working with a wide range of issues and problems including depression, anxiety, stress, anger, body images issues, interpersonal problems, low self-esteem, phobias, self-harm, obsessive compulsive disorder, and many other issues.
In my free time, I like going for walks and cooking.
Maria Cascarino - Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
I am a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist providing mental health and wellbeing support to students at Edinburgh Napier University. I work part-time and provide a mixture of online and face to face sessions.
Outside of work I have a passion for travel, exercise, and cooking.
Michelle MacKinnon-Rae - Student Counsellor/ Integrative Therapist
I am an Integrative Therapist and offer both counselling and CBT appointments to students at Edinburgh Napier University. I also offer Mental Health Assessments and Single Session Therapy.
I am here to listen empathically and provide a supportive space either online, by phone or face to face appointments, where students can explore any difficulties they may be struggling with, set goals and try to find different ways to move forward.
Previously I have worked for 15 years with addiction services and 5 years in Post Natal depression services as well as working privately as an Integrative Therapist and Clinical supervisor.
Nike Oruh - Clinical Lead Counsellor
I provide professional, sensitive and student focussed one to one counselling to a wide range of students and referrals to specialist services as appropriate. My role is to support the student on their journey through delivery of individual and group interventions ensuring that students receive timely and appropriate professional support to enable them to achieve their full academic and personal potential.
In addition, I play a primary role in coordinating, leading, and motivating a team of part time and guaranteed hours practitioners. The Wellbeing Team is here to help, support and provide you with a positive experience at ENU.
Val Cannon - Mental Health Adviser
I graduated from ENU and even then I hoped that I would return to help students.
Since qualifying as a Mental Health Nurse, I have worked within hospitals, further education, employability, social care and the creative arts.
I’m also an artist (painter) and my skills work well together in my mental health practice.
I am currently meeting with students who refer to S&WI for assessment. I also work alongside students regularly; I help keep them safe and help them to promote their own health and wellbeing.
I meet so many amazing people.