Gilly Simmonds

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About me

People seek counselling for a host of reasons. Whatever your reason my aim is to provide an environment where you can be heard and understood. We can explore the impact your past may have had on you and in so doing you may feel better able to understand your thoughts, emotions and behaviours. As a counsellor I do not advise you what to do, but in our work together there is the potential to notice patterns, to reflect on these and to make positive changes that may make life feel easier for you. I see our work as a collaborative process where we think carefully together about what might be happening unconsciously and how that affects you. I encourage clients to be honest and open and we go on a journey of your own self discovery together.

 I have worked with people experiencing anxiety, depression, loss, abuse, bullying, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties and family issues. 

I am a member of the BACP.

Sessions are fifty minutes long. We may work on a short term or long term basis.

Training, qualifications & experience

BSc (Hons) Psychology
PgDip Contemporary therapeutic psychodynamic counselling.
MA Contemporary therapeutic psychodynamic counselling.

I studied my PgDip and MA at the University of Hertfordshire. Part of my training required me to have my own personal therapy. I work psychodynamically and adhere to the BACP's code of ethics.

In addition to my private practice I have worked at a women's centre, an addiction treatment centre and in secondary schools with both pupils and parents.

As a member of the BACP I am required to continue to learn and develop in my role as a counsellor. I attend seminars and have a keen interest in new theories and different ways of working with clients, always with a view to best serve my clients and help them to live their lives as well as they can.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£60.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

£60. This may be negotiable.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

An initial consultation will give you an opportunity to ask questions and a taste of how therapy works. If you wish to proceed and I feel able to help you we will arrange a mutually agreeable time to meet each week. I offer a free ten minute call to any one looking to start counselling. I work on Zoom and in Hitchin. 

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

My room is on the ground floor of a centrally located building in Hitchin, close to several car parks.

Online platforms

Zoom