I am credentialed in the UK with 4 years of professional counselling work experience.
I practice person-centred therapy, which means we'll focus on your unique experiences and feelings, ensuring that you are heard and understood with compassion and free from judgment. I prioritise building relationships founded on trust and mutual respect, creating a safe and supportive environment where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without fear.
With over two decades of professional work experience empowering children, young people, and adults, helping them find their voices and discover solutions to enhance and sustain healthy mental well-being, my journey into counselling was deeply personal. Having faced my own experiences of childhood trauma, high anxiety in the workplace, overwhelm, grief, and depression, I came to understand just how crucial the right support can be.
Witnessing the growing prominence of mental health struggles in adults and young people reinforced my belief in the need for knowledge, understanding, and empathy - leading me to retrain in 2019 and gain an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling so I could utilise my skills to support others more effectively.
Drawing from my own life experiences, both professionally and personally, I offer ethical support to clients who feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, grief, depression, or navigating difficult relationships, I’m here to help you find your way and will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs.
Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage and it will be a privilege to support you in that process.
I look forward to meeting you!
Additional areas of focus: Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Anger management, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Concentration, memory and focus (ADHD), Abandonment, Attachment issues, Communication problems, Guilt and shame, Self-love
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #391067
NCPS Therapist - Accredited Member (MNCPS Accred) #NCS18-06667
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Gillian Smith. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Only 2 sessions in, but having previously had therapy I’ve already got some new coping techniques. Gillian is highly understand and communicates clearly and considerately. Strongly recommend!
Written on Aug 27, 2026 after therapy with Gillian for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Gillian creates a safe space to allow you to explore what you need to. She is friendly, approachable and extremely knowledgeable. She balances both being an active listener, support and education around appropriate processes and theories, as well as gently challenging where appropriate. Allowing further exploration of deeper held concepts of self, that may not align with the perceptions of us in the real world.
Written on Dec 01, 2025 after therapy with Gillian for 2 months on issues concerning addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Gill is a really good listener and has made a safe space where I don’t feel judged and I genuinely feel heard
Written on Aug 15, 2025 after therapy with Gillian for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Gillian has changed my life so much. Me and my family are forever in a better place because of the advice and help she has given me.
Written on Apr 02, 2025 after therapy with Gillian for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and anger management
Gillian is amazing, I connected with her while I was in a really bad place in my mental wellbeing and she literally has been my rock. I always feel like I am not improving then I remember we do have progression and she reminds me of that. I feel so safe in the hands of Gillian and I couldn't of asked for a better person to be placed with. I am forever grateful. We have really connected and got a nice connection. Thank you for everything so far on this journey. Looking forward to the next months.
Written on Jan 26, 2025 after therapy with Gillian for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, bipolar disorder, and adhd
Gillian has asked great questions that got me considering aspects of myself that I haven't explored before. She is also a very empathetic listener and makes me feel very safe
Written on Oct 29, 2024 after therapy with Gillian for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and coaching