Gillian Wardell


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Flexible Approach
Working for many years as a Counsellor and in Adult Mental Health within the NHS I have developed many skills and tools which inform my practice and have lead to my flexibility within the therapy.
I offer Integrative Counselling using a holistic approach to helping the individual deal with dilemmas, conflicts and patterns of behaviours which inhibit or prevent living life in meaningful ways.
Ethos
Influenced by Humanistic values the therapy facilitates self-growth and positive change with emphasis on a strong therapeutic relationship based on mutual respect and trust maintaining boundaries, respecting confidentiality, and holding hope for the future.
As a therapist can help you deal with the parts of the personal history that limit the expression of self.
By gaining a better understanding of who we are, increasing self-consciousness allows us to feel more connected and transform our lives.
- I can help you recognise your own unique potential, strengths and abilities and positive characteristics towards healing, fulfilment, building confidence and self esteem and belief in your capable to deal with challenge and change.
- Discover and change your default positions and responses to situations, recognise outdated behaviours which are unhelpful in the present. This can improve relationships and enable positive change for the future.
- Find tools to deal with things you struggle with that cause stress or anxiety and impact on relationships confidence and self-esteem.
Areas in which I have worked
Relationships, self-esteem, family, work issues, physical and mental health, depression, anxiety, ADHD, Autism, loss or grief, trauma, childhood issues, abuse
Training, qualifications & experience
COSCA Integrative Diploma in Transactional Analysis Counselling Napier University Credit Rated
- Person Centred
- Gestalt
- Psychodynamic
- TA 101
COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills
Some additional training
- Essentials in Psychosynthesis
- Cognitive Analytical Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Solution Focus Based Short Therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Couples Counselling
- The Decider Skills
Currently employed with PF Counselling Service
- Counsellor with the Young Adult Service
- Assessment Counsellor within generic counselling service assessing clients counselling needs and suitability for the service
- Volunteer Counsellor
Vocational Guidance Counsellor in Adult Mental Health NHS Lothian Supporting clients into mainstream employment with the following mental health conditions
- Schizophrenia
- Bi-polar
- Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorders
- Neurodivergence
- Substance misuse
- Psychosis, anxiety
- Depression
Mental Health Information Station
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£40.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Some spaces for reduced fee of £40 for students, unemployed and concessions.
Before we commit to working together, we can meet either face to face, online or we can chat on the phone to discuss your hopes and expectations from counselling. You will be invited to briefly share your issues and relevant history and how I can help.
Initial fifteen minute calls and initial face to face are free of charge with no expectation that we will work together.
If you feel comfortable and establish we are a good match, we can discuss availably and I will guide through terms and conditions.
When I work
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I can be flexible with my working hours depending on your situation will do my best to accommodate your needs should the case arise.
Further information
Where to find me
My premises are set within a quiet residential setting five minutes walk from bus and trams stops and Haymarket station.
Lothian Buses 3, 33, 4, 44, 25, 26
Working together
We will jointly at your pace reviewing the work as we go. This gives you an opportunity to reflect on what you have covered and changes you have made so far. It is also an opportunity to voice how you think the work is progressing.
Endings
Working towards an ending is an important part of the process, consolidating what you have learned about yourself, reflecting on changes you have made. Most importantly this time can be used to acknowledge and honour your commit to the therapy and celebrate your achievements, consider how you will use the tools you have gained in the future.
"Being valued as a person and having your feelings validated in a non-judgmental manner can start the process of releasing, unpicking, and healing the inner battle and exhaustion of living with such issues.” Dee Johnston