Gillian Clay
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am an experienced counsellor and I provide confidential counselling for individual adults, youths and elderly people, in Godalming and Guildford. Initial thirty-minute remote consultation FREE. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have considerable experience of working with anxiety, depression, OCD, relational problems, attachment, loss, trauma as well as a wide range of issues. I trained in an integrative approach to counselling. It enables me to tailor therapy to meet each person’s individual need. I believe that people are unique human beings who, have the potential to make the most of their lives. There are times when life deals us difficult times and hardship. People sometimes have problems which they do not want to share with family and friends. These problems may feel overwhelming. Talking things through with a qualified professional, is often a positive step towards overcoming, personal problems and fears. I believe people are capable of taking control of their lives and are capable of change even when “the chips are down”, the counselling process promotes positive growth and change. Working with a trained professional counsellor often accelerates personal growth and increase of self-esteem for clients.
There are of course, some problems which we are unable to change (such as bad health or age-related problems). Sharing personal experiences with a trained counsellor often helps individuals to find more positive ways to cope with their difficulties and also helps them to feel understood and hopefully to live a fuller life. Counselling provides clients with the opportunity to talk about their difficulties and to explore how they feel. I regard myself as an open, warm and approachable individual, I offer a confidential counselling service within a safe environment.
Training, qualifications & experience
My theoretical approach to counselling is integrative. I gained a foundation degree in integrative counselling, it allows me to draw from Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Transpersonal theory. A Person Centred approach is at the core of my work and I am able to integrate Psychodynamic or Transpersonal psychology, when and if required. Therapy is tailored to meet the client’s individual need. I continued my studies and gained a BA (honours) in counselling. In more recent years, I have studied Attachment theory which focuses on relationships and the affect of loss. I have gained a post graduate diploma in Attachment Theory. I am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I adhere to their ethical guidelines.
I have worked for many years and continue to work as a volunteer counsellor for a charitable trust in Guildford. The trust provides affordable long term counselling for adults. I counsel clients in my private practice. I also have considerable experience as a youth counsellor.
I work with adult individuals and teenagers. My work covers a wide range of issues such as anxiety, stress, phobias, OCD, abuse, trauma, depression, bereavement, ill health, spiritual concerns and a wide range of relational and attachment issues.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
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
Fees
£30.00 - £50.00
Additional information
Free initial thirty minute consultation.
£50.00 Some concessions available for those on low income £30.00
When I work
I am available weekdays and evenings.
Further information
I work from Godalming, Guildford and Merrow in Surrey.
