Ian McNeill

Life can feel especially heavy when old wounds keep resurfacing. Maybe you find yourself lying awake at night, replaying painful memories, or struggling with anger, shame, or self-doubt that just won’t quiet down. If you’ve been through trauma, bullying, or abuse, you may also be turning to alcohol or drugs to cope — and still feeling stuck. You don’t have to carry this alone. Therapy can be a space where you feel truly heard, believed, and supported. I work with adults in midlife who are living with the long shadow of trauma — whether from childhood abuse, sexual assault, or experiences of being bullied. These struggles often show up as difficulties sleeping, flashbacks, low self-esteem, self-criticism, relationship challenges, or anger that feels hard to manage. Sometimes it’s also about numbing with alcohol or drugs, which can bring its own layer of guilt or shame. Whatever you’re facing, my role is to meet you with compassion and honesty, and to help you find a way forward. Clients often tell me they appreciate my honesty, warmth, and ability to really listen. Many men in particular say they feel comfortable opening up with me. I bring not only professional training, but also extensive lived experience of many of the issues my clients face, along with over 24 years of service as a police officer and leader. That background gives me a grounded, practical perspective that helps people feel safe sharing even the hardest parts of their story. In our work together, you’ll learn more about how trauma affects the brain and body — and why what you’re experiencing makes sense. I’ll offer practical tools to manage symptoms like flashbacks, emotional overwhelm, or self-criticism, so you can begin to feel more in control. Over time, many clients find they understand themselves and their triggers more clearly, feel less weighed down by shame, and begin to rebuild self-esteem and healthier relationships. Most importantly, therapy is about giving you space to feel lighter, to reconnect with yourself, and to move toward living life again — with more compassion, stability, and the capacity to love and be loved. If any of this resonates with you, I’d be glad to talk about how we might work together. Reaching out is a big step, and you deserve support that helps you feel truly heard and understood.