S.M.I.L.E. Schools
about our service
At S.M.I.L.E. Counselling, we believe that supporting young people’s mental health is essential to their ability to learn, grow, and thrive. Our dedicated Schools Team works in partnership with secondary schools to provide trusted, compassionate counselling services tailored to the needs of each school community. Whether through one-to-one sessions, group work, or staff and parent support, we are committed to helping young people build resilience and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.
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meet the team
S.M.I.L.E. Schools Counsellor Team Leader KERRY HUTCHISON
(PG Dip)
Kerry is a qualified cognitive behavioural therapist and is a member of the British Association for behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy.
In her spare time, Kerry enjoys spending time with her family – eating out, cinema, reading books and walking the family Labrador (Bo) with her husband and daughters.
Schools counsellor
Schools Counsellor
Ella completed her Master’s degree in art therapy at Queen Margaret University, and has trained psychodynamically and in person-centred practice. She believes art offers another means of expression and communication, which can be used as a tool to support an individual in working through their struggles.
Before joining S.M.I.L.E., Ella worked as an art therapist in a high school, as well as supporting adults in an eating disorder service. Previously, she has also worked as a carer for both children and older people, and as a support worker for young people with learning disabilities, ADHD and autism, and has a particular interest in neurodiversity. Ella is based at James Young High School. She also currently works as a school counsellor in a primary school.
When she is not engaging in the arts herself, Ella enjoys movement, such as running and climbing, and being outdoors.
Schools counsellor
Mandy is a qualified person-centred counsellor and believes in supporting people to move towards what matters to them. She believes that counselling can be one way for people to tap into all the strengths they have that will help them to live their life in the way they want to.
Mandy has spent the last twenty years working in the field of mental health as a practitioner, researcher, teacher and trainer. Within S.M.I.L.E. Mandy is based at St. Margaret’s Academy. She also currently works in a perinatal service and teaches at The Open University.
Mandy loves spending time with her family and friends, live music, films, fantasy fiction books, climbing and anything outdoorsy.
Schools counsellor
Jodi is a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and is a member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. Jodi is a Young Persons Counsellor here at S.M.I.L.E. and is also working at Sinclair Academy on a Thursday.
Jodi has a diverse background with experience in recruitment, property sales, and travelling the world as Cabin Crew. Prior to joining SMILE, Jodi volunteered as a CBT therapist with charities in Fife and Lanarkshire, working with issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. During this time Jodi obtained her COSCA counselling skills certificate, Post-graduate certificate in Counselling from Abertay University, and more recently her Diploma in CBT and Groupwork.
Jodi is passionate about mental health and wellbeing and helping to make counselling accessible to those who need it. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, regardless of their circumstances. She is passionate about working with young people in a counselling role, supporting and empowering them to do so.
In her spare time, Jodi enjoys long walks with her rescue dog Max and going to the gym. She also loves reading and listening to music. Jodi is an avid sports fan, holding a season ticket for her local football team, and enjoys watching the Scotland rugby team play at Murrayfield too.
Schools counsellor
Schools Counsellor
Lynne has always enjoyed working with people and began her career in hospitality after gaining her degree from Napier University which included an internship in America.
Lynne achieved her COSCA Counselling skills qualification with SMILE and her Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy Diploma, allowing her to practice as a Psychotherapist working with adults, young people and children.
She has completed her Mental well-being and health certificate and First Aid for Mental Health certificate as well as taking part in ASIST Applied suicide intervention training and has a certificate from North East of Scotland College in Understanding children and young people’s mental health.
When she’s not working with clients or training Lynne runs a family group in her local community which meets to offer support and activities to parents and children age 0-5 years. The group also offers and encourages positive mental health support. She’s an active volunteer at her local primary school where she champions health and well-being.
Lynne is passionate about mental health and committed to supporting clients through their therapeutic journey.
In her spare time Lynne enjoys reading, trips to the cinema, eating out and spending time with her husband and children.
Schools counsellor
Schools Counsellor
Sinéad completed her Master’s degree in Music Therapy through Queen Margaret University, training in both psychodynamic and person-centred approaches. She believes strongly in the power of music as a form of communication and expression. Sinéad is registered with the HCPC and is a member of the British Association for Music Therapy.
She has previous experience working as a support worker for children and young adults with additional needs, as well as a carer for elderly people living with dementia.
In her spare time, Sinéad enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and running. She also enjoys reading, playing music, and attending live music events.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Cara is going into her second year of applied psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University, her current ambition is to work with children in psychology.
She has worked with children in her current job, along with understanding the theories, and enjoys the complexity of psychology.
As well as volunteering at smile, Cara has started volunteering at Spark as well. Allowing her to see the difference in both young and older generations.
In her spare time, she spends time with her kittens Luna and Star, does colouring in, and reading. She also enjoys yoga, swimming, and the gym.
Yousaf is beginning his second year of his BA (Hons) in Psychology at Edinburgh Napier. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Islamic Sciences and Arabic Language & Literature in 2024 and has since been working as a teacher in an evening school, alongside providing religious therapy and faith-based counselling to all age demographics in Livingston.
Yousaf has a strong interest in men’s mental health, with a focus on encouraging open conversations in communities where emotional vulnerability is often stigmatised. He has experience working with individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and is committed to making talk therapy more accessible and inclusive.
With a background in spiritual guidance, whilst currently pursuing his psychological studies, Yousaf is particularly passionate about creating safe, non-judgemental spaces where people feel supported in expressing themselves. He hopes to integrate these approaches to support those who may otherwise suffer in silence.
Ellie is a final-year Psychology student at Heriot-Watt University with a strong interest in mental health and supporting others. After university, she plans to pursue a career in counselling, and sees volunteering with a counselling charity as a meaningful step toward that goal and a great opportunity to learn new things.
She spent a summer working at a children’s camp in America, gaining valuable hands-on experience with young people and further developing her passion for creating safe, supportive environments. that aim to support individual growth.
In her downtime, Ellie enjoys activities such as yoga, Pilates, spending time outdoors with friends and family—and relaxing with her cats.
OUR Partners
OUR FUNDERS
