Gillian Smith, BACP, NCPS

Gillian Smith is a UK-credentialed counsellor with four years of professional counselling experience and a long history of working with children, young people, and adults across more than two decades of broader professional roles. She trained in 2019 and holds an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, and also maintains professional credentials listed as BACP and NCPS, which indicate registration with recognised counselling bodies in the UK. Gillian practices a person-centred approach that prioritises listening, empathy, and respect - she creates space for clients to explore their feelings and life experiences without judgment.

Her own journey through childhood trauma, workplace anxiety, overwhelm, grief, and depression informed her decision to retrain and focus on counselling, and she draws on that lived experience alongside professional skills when supporting others. Gillian works with a wide range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, grief, self-esteem, depression, relationship and family difficulties, trauma and abuse, anger, career challenges, coping with life changes, and ADHD, as well as related issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, communication problems, guilt and shame, and self-love.

She emphasises tailored, ethical care and collaborates with each client to shape dialogue and treatment to meet individual needs. Taking the first step towards change is acknowledged as courageous, and Gillian positions herself as a supportive partner in that process.

Client-centered and psychodynamic support available online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person in front of the therapist - the approach is built around empathy, unconditional positive regard, and active listening. It helps people who need a supportive space to explore emotions, build self-esteem, and navigate life transitions by prioritising the client's own perspective and pace.

Psychodynamic Therapy looks at how past experiences and unconscious patterns can shape current feelings and relationships. This approach can be useful for people dealing with recurring relational problems, attachment issues, unresolved grief, or patterns of guilt and shame, helping them gain insight into how early experiences influence present behaviour.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic work and Gillian will collaborate with each person to find what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She aims to tailor the work so clients feel understood and guided rather than prescribed a single method.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to fit support into busy lives and to access registered professionals from different locations within the United Kingdom. These options allow clients to engage in therapy in ways that suit their comfort, schedule, and communication style.