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Dawn Johnson ACBS Board Member - UK And Ireland Chapter

Tell us a bit about yourself

Helen McGillivray

When I first became a board member I was living and working in the gorgeous city of Edinburgh. I now live in a little fishing village in the North West Highlands of Scotland, very remote and very beautiful. I grew up not far from here but never thought I would be back as I loved city life and the Edinburgh Festival but, my love for the outdoors, climbing mountains and breathing clean air compelled me to move.

Helen McGillivray

I would never have imagined growing up I would have accomplished any of the things I have achieved in life but here I am. I was raised not to brag about my achievements, to put others first and not to question. I did all of that and more (thank goodness).

I am a nurse to trade starting my career in critical care (ITU, Liver Transplant) before realising I liked talking to people so moved I into mental health and psychology. I was a specialist addictions nurse for a decade or so while I completed my degree in Nursing then did my PGCert in CBT in 2003.

I am a mother to two teenagers who surprise me most days and a partner to Bob. I have a little white dog called Ziggy who I imagine chats with me in a very charming way, the joy of imagination .As I said I love being outdoors, up mountains and trekking through bogs and I am one of those passionate outdoor swimmers. Less passionate about the  Scottish Midges.

I would never have imagined growing up I would have accomplished any of the things I have achieved in life but here I am. I was raised not to brag about my achievements, to put others first and not to question. I did all of that and more (thank goodness).

What do you do?

1

Currently I have a busy private practice Compass Therapy which keeps me very busy. I provide supervision on the applied psychology Masters at Stirling University.

2

I am also the clinical director for OK Positive (www.OKPositive.org) mental health app. This project started during lockdown. In this work there is an opportunity consider how to apply  ACT via a tech platform for the benefit to the wider working community.

3

I am passionate about preventative health care and I feel very privileged to be involved with all aspects of my work.

Why are you a member of ACBS?

I feel most at home in a large body of water. However, despite my wild swimming passion, I have a hilarious fear of what else is sharing the water with me! Never were it truer to say, “Feel the fear and do it anyway”. My swimming adventures have taken me to some amazing places in the UK, and I love that I can be someone who undertakes a challenge.

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