Chanan Tej (Kasia) Psy.A, BCouns Integrative Buddhist Counsellor, Somatic & Mindfulness Therapist
BA(Hons), BSc(Hons), PgCert, PgDip
Buddhist Counsellor
Welcome. I am Chanan, a counsellor dedicated to supporting your journey toward inner peace, clarity, and authentic well-being. My work sits at the unique intersection of Western psychological science, Buddhist wisdom, and holistic somatic practice. I believe true healing occurs when we compassionately address the mind, body, and spirit as one.
My Path and Professional Foundation
My formal journey into the mind and heart began in 2006 with the study of Psychology. I hold an Honours Degree in Psychology, which provides the scientific framework for understanding human behavior and emotion. This foundation is deepened by specialized postgraduate training: a Postgraduate Certificate in Buddhist Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Buddhist Counselling and Psychotherapy. This dual training allows me to integrate contemporary therapeutic techniques with ancient, time-tested models for understanding and ending suffering.
An Integrative Therapeutic Approach
I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all method. Our work together will be tailored to your unique needs, drawing from:
· Buddhist Psychotherapy: Exploring core patterns of thought and emotion to cultivate lasting peace, mindfulness (sati), and self-compassion (karuna).
· Person-Centred & Mindfulness-Based Counselling: Creating a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space where your experience is honoured, and you are supported in finding your own answers.
· Somatic Awareness: Incorporating awareness of bodily sensations as a direct gateway to understanding emotions and nervous system states.
The Unique Fabric of My Practice: Beyond Talk Therapy
My approach is uniquely enriched by decades of study in complementary healing arts. These are not separate from our counseling work but can deeply inform and enhance it:
· As a Yoga Teacher: I bring a profound understanding of the mind-body connection. This informs gentle, grounding techniques that can help regulate the nervous system and release held stress.
· As a Master Gong Player (Sound Healer): The transformative power of sound offers a meditative pathway to deep relaxation, supporting mental quietude and inner balance. This can be integrated as a complementary experiential practice.
· As an Herbalist: My knowledge of botanicals contributes a holistic lens on well-being, considering how natural elements support mental and physical equilibrium.
Credentials & Recognition
· Postgraduate Diploma in Buddhist Counselling and Psychotherapy
· Postgraduate Certificate in Buddhist Psychology
· Honours Degree (BSc) in Psychology
· Honours Degree in Administration
Working Together
My practice is dedicated to helping individuals navigate anxiety, stress, life transitions, grief, and the quest for deeper meaning and personal growth. I offer a compassionate container for you to explore, heal, and reconnect with your innate wisdom.
I provide sessions online. If you feel called to explore whether this integrative path is right for you, I invite you to reach out for a confidential introductory conversation.
Background
My path to becoming an integrative counsellor has not been a straight line, but a purposeful weaving together of many threads—scientific, spiritual, and somatic. It is a journey that began with a deep curiosity about the human mind and heart, and a growing conviction that true healing must engage the whole person.
The Foundation: Understanding the Mind (2006 – Present)
My formal exploration started in 2006 with the rigorous study of Western Psychology. Earning my Honours Degree provided me with an essential scientific framework for understanding behaviour, cognition, and emotion. Yet, I felt something was missing—a dimension of wisdom about the nature of suffering and peace. This led me to the Buddhist Psychology Studies led by David Brazier, and earning a Postgraduate Certificate, and then advanced training in Buddhist Counselling and Psychotherapy, completing a Postgraduate Diploma. Here, I found the missing piece: a compassionate, millennia-old map of the mind that focuses not on pathology, but on our innate capacity for clarity and peace.
The Parallel Path: Embodying the Practice
Concurrently, for over two decades, I have been a dedicated student and teacher of holistic disciplines. My training as a Yoga Teacher taught me that the body is not just a vessel, but a direct gateway to the emotional and energetic self. My practice as a Master Gong Player revealed the profound healing potential of sound and vibration to quiet the thinking mind and guide the nervous system into deep states of restoration. My current studies as an Herbalist deepened my respect for the innate intelligence of nature and the interconnected systems of our own being. These were not separate hobbies; they were vital, experiential laboratories where the theories of mind and healing came alive.
The Integration: A Unified Approach
Over time, these streams of knowledge naturally converged. I saw clearly how the mindfulness (sati) cultivated in Buddhist practice is embodied through yoga’s conscious breath (pranayama). I understood how the focused awareness of meditation could be deepened by the resonant field of the gong. I recognised how the herbalist’s principle of supporting the whole system mirrors the therapeutic goal of holistic well-being. My Honours Degree in Administration further supports this work, allowing me to build a structured, professional practice where this deep, integrative work can thrive.
Today, my practice is the living synthesis of this journey. It is dedicated to offering you a sanctuary where modern psychology, ancient wisdom, and somatic awareness meet, creating a unique and powerful container for your transformation.
How do I get started and what are the fees?
Your first step is a free 15-minute introductory call. This allows us to connect, discuss your needs, and ensure you feel comfortable before committing to a full session.
What happens in ongoing sessions?
Regular sessions last 60 minutes and are held online using a professional, confidential video service. My fee is £60 per session.
My integrative approach weaves together counselling, mindfulness, and somatic awareness to support you with anxiety, stress, life transitions, and personal growth.
Email – chanan@bluemorphoedinburgh.com
Phone – 07821796299