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Mission Statement
The Therapy Programme offers a structured, clinically led group approach that combines counselling, psychotherapy and creative therapies — providing support in a way that feels safe, engaging and accessible. Grounded in evidence-based practice and trauma-informed care, the programme is designed to help individuals build resilience, regulate emotions and feel understood.
Our mission is to provide safe, accessible, creative and clinically informed mental health support for every participant, using expressive therapies and group connection to foster emotional wellbeing and resilience.
Our Programme:
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Aims to make high-quality therapy accessible to everyone
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Aims to deliver early intervention that prevents crisis
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Aims to reduce barriers through creative approaches
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Aims to provide safe and trauma-informed support
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Is built on evidence-based practice and a commitment to social impact
Our Values
Compassion — We meet every individual with empathy, understanding, and respect
Creativity — We embrace innovative, expressive approaches to support healing and growth
Safety — We prioritise physical, emotional, and psychological safety in every interaction
Inclusion — We strive to create a practice where all identities and experiences are welcomed and valued
Evidence-Based Care — We ground our work in research, professional expertise, and ongoing learning
Connection — We nurture meaningful therapeutic relationships that foster trust, resilience, and wellbeing
Our Story
Founder - Gillian Cunnison MSc NICU MT Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow DipABRSM
The Therapy Programme was founded by Gillian Cunnison, shaped by 12 years of clinical experience working as a music therapist across hospitals, behavioural health services and community mental health in both the UK and internationally.
"Again and again I have seen people waiting too long for support — often reaching crisis point before help became available. At the same time, many didn’t feel traditional one-to-one therapy was the right fit or felt isolated throughout their journey. Through years of facilitating group work, I’ve seen first-hand the power of connection - how being alongside others who truly understand and who are going through similar experiences can reduce isolation, build confidence, and create meaningful change. This programme has been shaped by those experiences: combining structure, creativity, and clinical depth to offer intensive support for lasting growth and resilience."
Gillian is passionate about improving access to effective mental health support, alongside championing the role of the creative arts in supporting emotional wellbeing, connection, and self-expression. Alongside her clinical work, she published the book The Power of Music Therapy in 2023, reflecting her commitment to raising awareness of creative therapeutic approaches. In her spare time she also enjoys caring for children as a short break foster carer.
Our Team
Led by a dedicated team of qualified therapists who understand the current pressures of teens in society and are passionate about helping them thrive.
All therapists are professionally registered and trained in group facilitation, safeguarding and online delivery.
Team roles include:
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Counsellors (BACP Registered)
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Psychotherapists (UKCP/BACP Registered)
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Art Therapists (HCPC Registered)
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Music Therapists (HCPC Registered)
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Consultant Clinical Director (MNCS & BABCP Accredited)
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Clinical Leads (BPS/BACP Registered)
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Safeguarding Lead (NSPCC Trained)
Clinical Leadership
Our Clinical Leadership team brings together experience across mental health, education, and community settings, supporting safe, consistent, and high-quality delivery of the programme.
Consultant Clinical Director
Marion Elkin-Greener
Psychologist and Psychotherapist
Mer is an experienced psychologist, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and educator with over 25 years’ experience across the UK and the US. She is an accredited member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and brings a depth of expertise in mental health, trauma, and addiction, alongside a strong background in clinical leadership, including her role as Team Lead at The Priory Hospital Glasgow.
Mer supports the programme through clinical oversight and governance, helping to ensure a safe, high-quality and evidence-informed service.
Clinical Lead
Susan McGratten
Counsellor and Integrative Therapist
Susan is an integrative counsellor with a strong focus on supporting children, young people, and adults through a range of emotional and psychological challenges. She is an accredited member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS) and has additional training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and has extensive experience working within school-based and community settings, including leading therapeutic provision and supporting safeguarding processes.
Susan brings a warm, relational approach alongside experience in trauma-informed practice, helping to create a safe and supportive space for participants.
Clinical Lead
Mary Mooney
Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Mary is an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist with over 20 years’ experience working across hospice, community, and mental health services. She is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has worked extensively with both adults and young people, supporting individuals through trauma, grief, and complex emotional experiences.
Mary brings strong clinical leadership experience, including supervising practitioners and working within multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring high standards of care and a thoughtful, person-centred approach.
Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board brings together experienced professionals across clinical practice, education, and business to guide and strengthen the quality, safety, and impact of our programme.
Lucy Burnside
Legal and Governance
Lucy is admitted as a Solicitor and Notary Public by the Law Society of Scotland. She has held various legal advisory roles within the oil and gas sector before transitioning into corporate governance and company secretarial positions across the financial services and renewable energy industries.
Lucy is also a student member of The Chartered Governance Institute and is currently undertaking the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme.
Laura Forbes
Education and Youth Wellbeing
With over 20 years’ experience in education, Laura is a highly respected teacher of Physical Education and a leader in health and wellbeing. For the past 10 years she has held the role of Wellbeing Specialist, working strategically to embed wellbeing at the heart of educational practice.
Laura has worked extensively across schools and local authorities, researching poverty and its direct link to wellbeing while supporting schools to better understand and respond to the needs of their communities.
Ken Hunter
Business and Accounting
Ken is an experienced entrepreneur and accountant as founder of Oceanscan Holdings Ltd, a leading group of companies that provided equipment, services and personnel to the offshore energy market, acquired in 2022 by Venterra.
Ken brings valuable insight into growth, strategy and sustainability to support the development of The Therapy Programme.
Tanya McDonald
Trauma Informed Practice
Tanya is a Drama and Nurture Teacher at Govan High School with over a decade of experience supporting young people through creative, inclusive and trauma-informed practice. She specialises in embedding Health and Wellbeing and mindfulness into everyday learning, using drama to build confidence, emotional literacy and resilience. She has also led mental health initiatives at local authority level, championing emotional safety, connection and regulation as foundations for effective learning.
Alongside her school-based work, Tanya is a guest lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, supporting trainee teachers to develop attuned, effective classroom practice. She is also an active theatre practitioner, currently touring Scotland, bringing current industry experience into her teaching and maintaining a strong link between performance and education.