I am a parent of young people whose personal journeys alongside my own inspired me to deepen my knowledge and understanding of how life experiences and challenges can affect our mental health and ability to move forward. I studied at the Institute of Art Therapy as a therapeutic counsellor specialising in supporting Young People age 12 - 25.

I learnt by trial and error how to be with my children when they were struggling to navigate life and deal with difficult situations. I am still learning and still not getting it right all the time but I learnt to love, maintain good open relationships, advocate, support, mentor and be with. It was often extremely hard to find support and advice and even just a safe person to tell your deepest concerns to. Having heard so many stories that repeated my experience, I wanted to create a service which would wrap around children like mine and parents like me.

During and since qualifying as a BACP registered therapeutic counsellor I have worked within senior schools with diverse populations of students and a wide range of mental health challenges inc health anxiety, ocd, panic disorder, anxiety, trauma, loss and low self esteem. Many of the students I work with have SEN inc Autism, ADHD and dyslexia, some have had unsettled and difficult family lives, either or both can impact them widely. My own children’s early experiences, SEN and educational challenges has made me passionate in the belief that every young person has inate talents, skills and potential and that supporting them to find a way forward through any of the challenges which they are faced with will underpin the rest of their lives. Private practice allows me to work with young people as a counsellor but also with parents/ carers to support them espcially when the young person may find it hard to accept support directly.

Gill: BACP Registered : IATE Trained: Based West London

Contact