PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH

Philosophy and Approach

Gillie's philosophy and approach to psychotherapy, Post-Cult CounsellingHVC and counselling (I will call it therapy) is:

I believe the basis of therapy is safety, stability and confidentiality.

I believe clients need to know I will not betray the trust they are investing in me - and that I need to earn their trust.

I am happy for someone have one or two sessions to see how they feel about working with me.

I believe that each client is the expert on themself and I do not tell them what they should believe or why they feel the way they do - we explore these issues together.

But, I am interactive, so, I bring myself including my thoughts, feelings, awareness, experience and training into the therapy (a 'dialogic' approach).

I believe in empowering my clients to think critically for themselves.

I believe good therapy is positive and moves towards healing and health (although it may be painful at times) and whilst I acknowledge exploring the past may be important I do not believe in raking up unnecessary issues.

I review the therapy regularly to ensure it does not go on longer than necessary.

Gestalt psychotherapy is a creative approach to raising awareness and if it suits my client I use sand tray and experimentation (e.g. role play, two chair work, movement, metaphor, body awareness, exploration of dreams) and I do none of these if my client only wants talking therapy - they choose.

Gestalt psychotherapy raises awareness of cognitive and behavioural issues and goes further.

I have worked for many years with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS and PTSD) and keep myself updated on the latest information from neuroscience and psychotherapy. I work to support clients to stay 'within the window of tolerance' and to work as safely as possible in order to attempt not to trigger PTS or hyper/hypo arousal inappropriately.

I have worked, for many years, with clients who are dissociative and who self-harm.

I have studied object relations and developmental theory including attachment theory, and have a deep understanding of the wounds that broken attachments can bring.

I belonged to a church for many years and obtained a Diploma in Pastoral Counselling and am able to support clients who have been spiritually abused.

I believe spirituality and faith of any sort/in any context, when freely chosen by the individual, can be helpful to the healing/recovery process.