Gulzhamal Sheripkamova-Macleod

Gulzhamal is originally from Kyrgyzstan and moved to Scotland in 2001 to do her postgraduate degree in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh. She currently works as a Counselling Coordinator at Sacro/Aditi service, which is a trauma-informed wellbeing service for BAME women in Edinburgh, dedicated to supporting women who have experienced abusive relationships, HBV and other mistreatment, including harmful traditional practices.

She is a graduate of Chrysalis and is a highly experienced and dedicated professional with a strong foundation in psychotherapeutic counselling, political science and business psychology. She holds a Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Counselling Supervision. She is currently a candidate for an MSc in Business Psychology and Intercultural Communication from Herriott-Watt University in Edinburgh.

Prior to joining Chrysalis, she worked for several years for the children’s mental health charity Place2be as a Family Practitioner/Parent Counsellor, and also for other third sector organizations based in Edinburgh as a school counsellor. Gulzhamal worked for Wellbeing Scotland, Granton Youth and Multicultural Family Base. She brings extensive practical experience in clinical supervision, counselling service coordination and case reviews.

Gulzhamal's international experience with organizations like UNICEF, UNDP and the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Cote D’Ivoire, focusing on education, child protection and programme management, provides her with a broad perspective on systemic issues, policy development and project management, which offers valuable insights into the practical application of theoretical concepts within complex environments. She brings both professional and personal experience of living and working internationally. Gulzhamal has lived and worked in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ivory Coast and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She speaks four languages: English, Kyrgyz, Russian and French, and loves travelling and reading. She is a mother of two kids and one dog and a cat.

Gulzhamal is an Accredited Registrant member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. To view Gulzhamal's profile click here.