Staff

The PF Staff

The PF Counselling Service is run by a small but dedicated team of five staff.

Alison Hampton

Director

Alison Hampton

Alison became Director of the PF in 2006, having been one of our voluntary counsellors since 2000.  She worked in NHS Scotland on management, leadership and organisation development issues for over thirteen years. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, Alison holds a degree in Business & Management, a Masters in Human Resource Management, and is qualified to British Psychological Society Level B in psychological profiling. She also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling, is a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, and has thirteen years experience as a voluntary counsellor. Alison divides her time between Edinburgh, where she lives with her partner, and the west coast where she has a small holiday cottage business, 3 grown-up children and 4 grandchildren.

Rhea Philpot

Operations Manager

Rhea Philpot

Rhea joined the PF in Autumn 2021 and became Operations Manager in May 2023 after working as one of our Part-time Administrators. Previously she has worked as a chef, and has a strong customer service and administration background in the financial sector. Rhea qualified as a person-centred counsellor in 2022 and she is currently also a volunteer counsellor at the PF. Originally from New Zealand, Rhea has lived in Scotland since 2007. In her spare time she loves photography, painting and going hill walking to find a stunning scenic view.

Emma Barry 

Full-time Administrator

Emma barry

Emma joined PF in June 2023 as a full-time administrator. She spent several years in America, where she gained a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree in Psychology. Since then, she has acquired a COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills and is set to begin her training in psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute in September 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching yoga, walks in nature and spending time with family and friends.

Gillian Burke

Part-time Administrator

Gillian Burke

Gillian joined PF in May 2023. Previously she has worked in a variety of roles ranging from IT and systems audit, consultancy, digital media and administration within large and independent organisations. She holds a BA(hons) Business IT, MSc Business IT, COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills and is a student member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy. She is currently studying for a MSc in Counselling at Abertay University and is also a volunteer counsellor at PF. In her spare time, Gillian loves the great outdoors, hillwalking adventures, and exploring new places. An avid reader and enjoys attending creative arts events.

Sharon Goodson

Part-time Administrator

Sharon Goodson

Sharon joined PF in June 2023. She has previously worked in various administrative roles for over 20 years in the financial and public sector. Sharon relocated to the USA for 13 years and enjoyed volunteering in support groups for children with special needs. On her return to Edinburgh, Sharon volunteered as a receptionist at PF and then worked for Edinburgh Gestalt Institute before moving on to work at Boroughmuir High School for 4 years. In her personal life Sharon enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, pottering around in the garden, and walking her spaniel, Bonnie.