Michaela Gill
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hi - I help people who are experiencing feelings of loss, grief or anxiety or who may be struggling with issues related to self-worth.
If you are suffering grief due to bereavement or other life losses, (such as loss of relationships, career, changes in lifestyle, health or family circumstances), I can provide an opportunity to talk honestly & openly about your feelings and support you to begin to find a way forward.
For those experiencing anxiety or panic, I can help you to feel calmer & more in control - helping you to understand how your anxiety ‘works’ and developing practical strategies to reduce and overcome your anxious thoughts and feelings.
If you feel you have issues relating to your self-confidence or self-worth, I can work with you to develop a stronger sense of belief in yourself and a healthy & more positive way of thinking about you.
I have a relaxed and friendly manner and can usually put people at ease very quickly. Our sessions will be purposeful but informal - I want you to look forward to your sessions and feel listened to, valued and understood.
I believe it is vital that you find the right counsellor for you - that’s why I offer a free consultation so that we can both see how we feel about working together before making a commitment.
Grief and Loss
I have developed a special interest in working with clients who have experienced ‘loss’.
This includes bereavement counselling, but also extends to clients who have experienced loss in other ways such as loss of career, relationships, a decline in health or personal identity.
Coping with feelings of loss can be a very difficult and lonely process. These feelings can be triggered by life’s many challenges, including the ageing process, a deterioration in health or changes in lifestyle, career or family circumstances. Counselling can help by providing a safe space to express these difficult emotions and eventually help clients to ‘make sense’ of their situation and begin the healing process.
I also offer Pet Bereavement counselling.
Issues relating to Self-Worth and Self-Esteem
I believe that the most important relationship you have in your life is with yourself. If you feel unhappy and insecure with who you are, you may struggle with your day-to-day life at work or in your relationships with other people.
Self-esteem refers to your sense of self-worth and the feelings and beliefs you have about yourself. Poor self-esteem might manifest in a lack of confidence, a sense of not being good enough or of not fitting in. It can contribute to feelings of anxiety and at its worst can result in extreme forms of self-criticism and hatred. I am interested in helping people to overcome these undermining feelings and in nurturing a healthy, strong sense of self-worth.
Anxiety
Much of my work is involved with helping clients to manage and take back control of their anxiety. Anxiety is often present in bereavement, loss and self-esteem related work, but can also develop in response to a whole range of other life events and experiences. Counselling can help people to understand how their anxiety 'works' and can enable them to develop techniques and strategies to overcome their anxious thoughts and feelings
How to get started with Counselling
To take the next step, please contact me. I will reply to you as soon as possible & usually within 48 hours.
Following this initial contact, we can then arrange a consultation, which is free of charge. This usually lasts for half an hour and can be done either in person or via video link.
The consultation is friendly and informal, but we will discuss your needs and what you want to get out of the counselling process. Following our discussion, if we both feel that counselling is the best option for you and you are happy to go ahead, we can arrange your next appointment.
Practice Location
I am currently offering counselling in person or remotely, via secure video link.
I have a comfortable and easily accessible practice, which is based in Whitley Bay. It is within a few minutes walk of both Whitley Bay and Cullercoats Metro stations. It also has easy on-road parking. Please see below for photographs of my therapy room.
Training, qualifications & experience
I now focus exclusively on my private practice, but my previous counselling experience includes working in educational, community and occupational health based settings.
In addition, I have worked as a counsellor in hospice settings, counselling patients who have life-limiting illnesses and their families. I have specialist qualifications in Grief & Bereavement Counselling & Pet Bereavement Counselling.
I am a registered member of the NCS and I work within their professional and ethical framework. I have professional indemnity insurance, regularly update my training and professional development and receive ongoing Supervision, as recommended by the professional body.
Counselling Related Qualifications
- Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Diploma in Analytical Hypnotherapy
- Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Diploma in Life Coaching
- Certificate in Neuro-Linguistic Programming
- Certificate in Understanding Dementia
- Diploma in Grief & Bereavement Counselling
- Certificate in Pet Bereavement Counselling
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I offer the opportunity for clients to work creatively, if that is of interest to them. This might include working with the concept of the Inner Child, using Nesting / Russian Dolls, Photographs, Timelines, Drawings and/or using Stones in therapy.
My work is also influenced by Compassion-Focused approaches, so whether I am supporting clients with grief, anxiety or self-esteem, I encourage the development & practice of self-compassion.
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial in-person or online session
Additional information
I offer a free half hour initial consultation to discuss your needs. This can be carried out via video or in-person.
Counselling sessions last 60 minutes and cost £45 per session.
I am happy to work both on a short term (between 4 - 6 sessions) or a longer term basis with clients.
When I work
I offer daytime & some evening appointments
Further information
Special Interests
All kinds of loss including Pet Bereavement
Self-worth / Self-esteem