Rhona McAlpine provides a compassionate, containing space for children, young people and parents across Edinburgh and East Lothian, exploring the complexities of mental health and neurodivergence through a nervous system lens. My approach is rooted in the belief that behavior is communication; by looking through a nervous system lens, we can understand how stress and relationships shape the way we respond to the world.

A Relational Approach to Regulation
At the heart of my work is attunement. I weave together psychological theory with manageable, everyday strategies to help families move from reactive cycles to regulated connections.

• Parent Consultation: Supporting parents to understand their own and their child’s nervous system, fostering deeper empathy and effective self-management.
• 1:1 Sessions: Creative and compassionate support for children and adolescents navigating anxiety, depression, or neurodivergent identities (Autism/ADHD).
• Early Intervention: Specialized focus on the parent-infant relationship, recognizing that early attunement is the foundation for lifelong wellbeing.

Professional & Educational Support
I collaborate with education staff and fellow practitioners to embed mental health awareness into systemic practice:

• Bespoke Training: Workshops and programs for schools focused on nervous system regulation and neuro-affirming classroom environments.
• Supervision & Mentoring: Professional supervision for those working in high-intensity child-facing roles, offering a space for reflection and growth.

Areas of Expertise

• Neurodivergence: Affirming support for Autism and ADHD that prioritizes sensory safety and regulation.
• Mental Health: Managing depression and anxiety through a relational, trauma-informed framework.
• Parenting Groups: Facilitating shared learning environments where parents can find community and collective understanding.

Services & Professional Standing

• Target Groups: Infants, children, adolescents, and the adults who support them.
• Professional Roles: Clinical practitioner, supervisor, mentor, and trainer.
• Philosophy: Evidence-based, compassionate, and deeply attuned to the distinct needs of every family.

"I believe that when we shift the light from 'what is wrong' to 'what is happening in the nervous system,' we create the safety necessary for true growth and connection."