Who We Are

Ever felt like something in your head is holding you back?  Too much anxiety, a bit of depression, maybe panic attacks, feeling sad, low self esteem. Counselling is a expressive therapy (achieved either by talking or writing) which helps restore emotional well being. It provides a unique perspective for those wanting to evaluate and change how life is being experienced.  

Counselling is a unique experience for those wanting to broaden their self awareness and change how they experience life.  It is an opportunity to unravel; thoughts which maybe tie us up in knots, decisions which could make us go round in circles and change habits which might make us cringe to the core. Counselling can also be a life sustaining therapy for the emotionally bruised. 

Counselling Wiltshire offers self referral access to affordable one to one counselling sessions for adults and couples.  Change comes about through the widening of your level of awareness and what you know about yourself, providing you with increased knowledge, choices and resources. This is done by the willingness to share your story and work with your therapist to help you identify the feelings that accompany tricky chapters in your life. Allowing your emotions and feeling to accompany your experience is key.  You are in control of the pace you do this and your therapist will help you find the resources you need to help you.  Generally counselling will help those willing and able to embark on this journey. 

So perhaps you are suffering in the hands of others or maybe you wonder if your pain comes from within, like a lurking dread and find it hard to change. Sometimes it is emotions and urges that plague the day such as anger, frustrations, guilt, regret, self destruction, rebellion, low self esteem, self worth or an over active internal critical voice shouting 'shoulds' all the time, preventing us from living a fulfilling life.  These are just a few examples the work we address.

Counselling can deal with most emotional issues or past experiences which leaves you with all sorts of symptoms for example depression, irritability, loss of interest, numbing, decreased concentration, insomnia, emotional overwhelm, hopelessness, shame and worthlessness, loss of memories, mistrust, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, inability to tolerate uncertainty, low self confidence, substance abuse, disordered eating, self destructive behaviours or indecision. For the client suck in the midst of symptoms it can often feel difficult to work out where these symptoms have come from.  

Luckily that is why we have so much extensive training, so that we can accompany you on this journey and spot the things which are not easy to see and bring them to your attention, gently and appropriately.  Therapy also addresses the popular concerns of relationship breakdown, loss or bereavement, anger management, weight loss, thoughts of suicide, addiction, dealing with unexpected change (job loss, redundancy, physical health symptoms, disability) that impact your ability to function freely most days. Counselling can deal with the unravelling of long standing complex emotional difficulties and shorter term concerns.

Having previously been a Primary Therapist on Janina Fisher PhD's clinical team in one of her UK clinics, I witnessed and trained first hand from Janina, who's approach really seems to help those who have complex trauma symptoms such as borderline personality disorder, disassociation disorders and similar NHS labels.  That said I am not limited to one theory or approach and integrate many useful techniques according the individual client's need at any one time.

EMDR can be specifically helpful for the following symptoms:

Fear, panic attacks, phobias, life adjustments, traumatic experiences, traumatic grief, chronic pain, Psychosomatic disorders, self esteem.

EMDR is not recommended for the following:

Eye conditions, such as retinal detachment, organic brain disorders, epilepsy, Ego weakness eg self denial, self hate, strong secondary gain issues or low motivation levels for therapy, psychotic symptoms.

Gilly offers counselling and EMDR in Swindon to those looking for a qualified Senior Accredited Counsellor working face to face and (occasionally) online in the Swindon and Wiltshire area.  In response to the every changing current government guidelines all work is offered in accordance with health and safety in mind.

Qualified to degree level in integrative therapeutic counselling, with extensive experience of trauma related symptoms gained from setting up counselling hubs within children's centres to support parents and volunteering in a variety of settings before working in private practice where I have worked for over a decade now. 

​I welcome clients who present with most emotional concerns (with my main exclusion being areas concerning sexual related issues, as I have no training in this area). Although my practice welcomes almost all emotional symptoms, my special interest is in reducing the symptoms of trauma, panic attacks, PTSD, CPTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety, depression, destructive behaviour and attachment (relationship) related behaviour. 

My favourite area of work is with the self belief that there is something wrong with us because we are not '......' enough (fill in the gap, not good enough, clever enough, thin enough, worthy or deserving enough, strong enough... ) this belief grinds us to a stop, telling us we can't achieve our dreams because we are somehow broken and if we do try shame plays it's other favourite tape 'Look at you,...who do you think you are...' Shame paralyses couples by shooting blame between, or burns us out by making us people pleasers; again this behaviour comes from trauma.

​I bring extensive knowledge of training under one of the world leading trauma experts, Janina Fisher PhD and I had the privilege of then observing her work in practice when my business was invited to be part of the primary care clinical team in a UK private residential clinic specialising in trauma.   

I still train under Janina Fisher and bring her world leading research and expertise to my client work. I currently offer Trauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment and EMDR.

Counselling is a space for clients to express themselves either by talking or writing, to be heard and feel understood with the goal of changing the way they feel, behave, see or think about things or themselves.

This involves a willingness from the Client to share their thoughts, feelings and fears with the Therapist. 

In order to do this safely both Therapist and Client enter into a psychological contract. This aims to provide a clear understanding of the limits of confidentiality and boundaries for both parties to work safely within. 

Some clients know their limitations, spot trouble ahead or want to make changes and know they need to seek help to achieve this.  Whilst at the other end of the spectrum others are right at their wits end before they get in touch. Having been unable to improve their experience of life, they are exhausted from battling it alone, may be overwhelmed with PTSD or anxiety, depression or panic attacks and their situation quickly tumbles and spirals out of control.  Whilst looking at counselling sites can offer some hope, some become so scared to share what is going for fear of judgement or because they have no idea how there might be a logic explanation. The good news is there nearly always is a logical explanation for the emotional experience or symptoms. Clients often confess with relief they experience after gaining some sight from a trained ear.  Sometimes clients report sudden, strong and long lasting emotional 'storms' for want of a better term, which either last for hours or sometimes days, which on reflection feel out of proportion for the situations.  These symptoms come under the heading of trauma and relief can be found.

The truth is if you are looking at counselling there is a part of you which wants support and it is time to give that part of you a voice and permission to be heard.

​What is important to you, really matters and if it important to you, then it really matters to me too. Your emotional well being is important and you really matter. 

I promise to reply, when you get in touch.

I promise to be ethical and professional in our work together.

I promise only to work with what I am trained & experienced to work with.

I promise to help you unravel relationship ruptures especially if they happen between us, because what happens outside the room often replicates inside therapy and that is really precious & valuable work.

I promise to offer you unconditional acceptance, empathy and to hold you in positive regard at all times, because YOU REALLY MATTER!