Victoria Porteous

Victoria Porteous brings personal experience and professional insight to her therapeutic work, having been on both sides of therapy. She first accessed counselling at 22 after her mum passed away, a time marked by anger, isolation and self-defeating behaviours compounded by an addictive personality. Over time therapy proved transformative for her and influenced how she supports others through change.

Her sessions are intentionally personable and conversational, often relaxed enough to feel like a genuine conversation. She aims to introduce warmth and occasional humour, and avoids relying on dry checklists or questions such as “On a scale of 1 to 10, how are you feeling?” At the same time she will at appropriate moments and with respect challenge thoughts to help clients consider other perspectives.

Victoria has worked in partnership with a Government backed trauma charity, running all of their counselling services for 18 months during COVID and focusing largely on complex trauma survivors. She also works with people referred through charities by their doctor and by government agencies. Her private practice offers counselling and coaching onsite, providing a safe and non-judgemental space.

Her client base has included business leaders and athletes, with testimonials from figures such as the previous Executive of Glasgow City Council, Scotland’s leading and award-winning criminal defence and human rights lawyer, and a Paralympian gold medalist and Nike athlete. She is also a regular contributor on national radio, speaking on mental health, social equality and current affairs. More information is available on her LinkedIn page.

Victoria helps people with a range of concerns, including stress and anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem and confidence, motivation, relationship issues, family conflicts, self-defeating behaviours, porn and social media addictions, and a lack of purpose or direction. Her clients' average reviews have consistently been 4.9 or 5 out of 5.

Before becoming a therapist she worked as a private investigator, a role that developed keen listening skills, attention to non-verbal cues and the practice of asking focused questions to build a clearer picture. She brings that observational and inquisitive approach to therapy.

Victoria is direct and authentic in her style and aims to ask the right questions to help people feel comfortable enough to open up. She welcomes those who know they want to make positive changes and who are ready to face the sometimes difficult journey of self-discovery and acceptance to book sessions with her.