Gillian Smith, BACP, NCPS

Gillian Smith helps people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief or low self-esteem. She works with those facing depression, relationship strain, trauma and anger, and supports people dealing with career pressure, life changes and ADHD. Gillian is named up front to show who will be present in sessions and how she approaches care. She uses a person-centred style that focuses on the client's experience and feelings. That approach aims to make people feel heard and treated without judgement. She also draws on psychodynamic ideas to look at patterns from the past that can affect today. Gillian retrained in 2019 and holds an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Her current counselling credentials include BACP and NCPS. She combines this formal training with over two decades of wider professional work supporting others in non-therapeutic roles. Her own experiences with childhood trauma, workplace anxiety, grief and depression influenced her decision to become a counsellor. Those experiences shape a gentle, empathetic style and a focus on relationship and attachment issues, abandonment, guilt and shame, and building self-love. Sessions are tailored to the individual's needs. Gillian aims to build trust and respect so people can explore thoughts and emotions at their own pace. She works with clients to agree realistic goals and practical steps to manage feelings day to day.

How these approaches translate to online therapy

Gillian draws on client-centred counselling and psychodynamic ideas to guide online work. Client-centred counselling focuses on listening closely to the client's experience and reflecting it back with empathy. This approach helps when someone needs a steady, accepting space to talk through stress, anxiety, grief or low self-esteem.

Psychodynamic therapy looks at recurring patterns and how earlier experiences can shape current feelings and relationships. It can be useful for people who want to understand attachment issues, abandonment feelings or persistent relationship struggles at a deeper level.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, symptoms and preferences and help decide which methods to use. That choice is revisited as therapy progresses so the plan fits the person's changing needs.

If you are considering online therapy, please confirm current session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit appointments around work or family life and can reduce travel time. It also allows shorter check-ins when that suits, and can be adapted for quieter surroundings or sessions that do not require being on camera.