- Warm listening
- Explores life patterns
- Practical coping ideas
About Gillian
Gillian Smith is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who focuses on helping people navigate stress, anxiety, grief and low self-esteem. She uses a warm, person-centred style and aims to create a space where clients feel heard and respected. Gillian’s approach is straightforward and practical, helping people talk through immediate problems and find clearer ways to cope day to day.
She brings four years of professional counselling experience alongside over two decades of wider professional work supporting others. Gillian retrained in 2019 and holds an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. She is also listed with BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, and NCPS, the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society.
Gillian combines person-centred work with psychodynamic ideas, so conversations can look at current difficulties and the life stories behind them. She pays attention to attachment, abandonment and communication patterns when these come up, and supports people dealing with trauma, anger, career strain and life transitions.
In sessions she aims to tailor the dialogue and the way work proceeds to each person’s needs. That might mean steady, supportive listening at first, then exploring deeper patterns, or practical coping strategies for immediate relief. Her stated goal is to help people feel less overwhelmed and more able to manage daily life.
Gillian describes her own experience of anxiety, grief and trauma as part of why she chose counselling work. She frames therapy as a collaborative process and says she finds it a privilege to support people taking the first step toward change.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Gillian uses client-centred work and psychodynamic ideas in her practice. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening deeply and reflecting a person’s experience back to them, which helps when someone needs empathy and a non-judgemental space to sort through feelings. Psychodynamic Therapy looks at recurring relationship patterns and early experiences that shape current reactions, which can be useful for issues like attachment, abandonment and long-standing anxiety.Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. Gillian aims to work with each person to choose what feels most helpful, combining empathic listening with exploration of life history or practical coping as needed. She will discuss goals and tailor sessions to the client’s needs and preferences.
If you are considering online sessions, check the current session formats before booking so you know what is offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited and remove travel time. It can also let someone choose how they prefer to engage in a session, for example focusing on conversation or on exploring deeper patterns, and Gillian will adapt her approach to suit those preferences.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What problems does she help with?
Gillian works with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem and depression, plus relationship and family issues. She also addresses trauma, anger, career concerns, ADHD and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is person-centred with psychodynamic influences. That means she focuses on listening and understanding, then gently explores deeper life patterns when helpful.
What is her professional background?
She has four years of professional counselling experience and over twenty years of wider professional work supporting others. She retrained in 2019 to move into counselling.
What credentials and region are listed?
Gillian holds an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and is associated with BACP and NCPS. She practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are used in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions charged and what about cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.