Rebecca Murray-Gilling

I'm Rebecca, a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Cardiff. I specialise in supporting clients in their 20s and 30s searching for direction in life, ways to improve their relationships and self-esteem, and how to reconnect with a version of themselves that feels authentic and more fulfilled.

I work frequently with young men who are choosing therapy for the first time, or who are returning after previous experiences with counselling. We often work through issues such as a sense of feeling lost, overwhelmed, uncertain, and lonely within the pressure to “have it all figured out” -  work, intimate relationships and life in general. We may also explore the feelings that this pressure can cause: "there is something wrong with me", or not being good enough - despite having tried to do everything right. 

You might find counselling helpful if:

• You're feeling not quite yourself
• Experiencing lower mood or energy than normal
• Feeling more stressed, irritable or anxious
• Changes in appetite, use of alcohol / smoking, gaming, sleep, exercise, or your sex life
• Difficulty communicating in your intimate relationship
• Feeling isolated or withdrawing from friends, or no longer enjoying things that used to make you happy. 

If these sound like something you are experiencing, then we might be a good fit to work together in therapy.

How can counselling and therapy help?

• Experience feeling heard, understood and accepted without judgement
• Space to be yourself without having to 'mask' what you really feel or think, or protect other people's feelings
• Somewhere to bring painful feelings and experiences
• Figure out what is holding you back and find your way forward in life
• Improve your relationships and communication with others
• Treat yourself with more kindness and care
• Support as you make positive changes
• Become better able to handle changes and challenges as they occur throughout life. 

What will therapy sessions be like?

• Being supported in a calm, confidential and judgement-free space, always moving at your own pace
• Being with difficult feelings in a safe way
• An experience of being valued, seen and accepted for all that you are
• Authentic connection and conversation with a real person
• Therapy that is tailored to you as an individual, accounting for all your unique life experiences, background, and personality, that doesn't confine you to a box
• Gentle challenge and curiosity as you learn more about yourself and what you want out of life.

I support clients seeking help with: 

Finding your way in your 20s and 30s:
Life Changes, Uncertainty and Feeling Lost; Low Mood, Sadness & Depression; Career & Education; Relationships and Sexuality; Changing Relationships with Family; Relationship and Communication Difficulties; Figuring out who you are and what you want to do.

Life Direction:
Choices & Changes; Support when things fall apart; Navigating Relationships; Search for Meaning and Living Authentically; Career, Education & Purpose; Dealing with Uncertainty; Exploring who you are, and How to live the life you want. 

Identity & Self-Esteem:
Self-confidence, Self-Criticism & Shame; Self-Improvement; Understanding yourself better; Individual Lived Experiences of and Societal Impacts upon Disability, Cultural and Racial Identity, Gender, and Sexual Diversity;  Relationships, Dating & Sexuality; Anxiety and Self-doubt; Body image; Women's issues; Men's mental health. 

Men's Mental Health:
I work a lot with young men who are seeking a supportive environment to get help and make changes with:

• Work-Stress & Pressure;
• Life Direction;
• Depression / Low mood;
• Anxiety;
• Self-improvement;
• Relationship, Dating and Communication Difficulties;
• Relationship to Masculinity;
• Body image;
• Self-Criticism & Self-Esteem;
• Shame;
• Loneliness;
• Loss.

We collaborate and work towards your chosen goals, working within a safe environment of non-judgement, understanding, and authenticity. 

Other communities and issues I have worked with include:

• Disability, including sight loss and visual impairment (RNIB Sight Loss Counselling trained)

How I work:

Existentialism: Living a life that feels meaningful and authentic
Who are you, and what is your place in life? My approach to therapy is existentially based, offering the opportunity to gently explore the big questions in life, without judgement or pressure.

Philosophies drawn from Feminism and Spiritual Traditions
I draw on aspects of feminist and spiritual principles such as Power-With (as opposed to Power-Over), fluidity, balance, and embracing change in my approach to therapy. While I am not a religious counsellor, when relevant and appropriate, I do incorporate philosophies and metaphor from spiritual traditions in my approach to understanding and coming to terms with suffering and uncertainty, and the impact they have on us and our mental health.

Impact of Culture, Gender, Sexuality, Race, Disability and Individuality 
Who we are, and the challenges we face in life, do not exist in a vacuum: we are all directly and differently impacted by the circumstances in which we live, and by our unique experience of life. This can include how you and your mental health have been directly impacted by societal expectations, conditions, and prejudices linked but not limited to gender, sexuality, race, culture and disability. Our work in therapy takes all of this into account, as well as any other aspects that you feel are meaningful to you. 

• Men's mental health, including relationship to masculinity
  
  
• Counselling for Sight Loss

I operate a 48-hour cancellation policy. Sessions cancelled less than 48 hours before the session will incur the full session fee (unless cancelled by the therapist). 

The fee per 50-minute session is £65. Fees are paid on the day of the session via direct bank transfer. 

I also offer: 
Assessment Session (the first session): 60 mins: £65

Monthly Extended Session: 1hr 15mins (for long-term, in-depth work): £97.50

I currently have a limited number of spaces for new clients on: 

• Monday and Tuesday afternoons in-person or online
• Wednesday and Thursday evenings online only. 

Prior to my counselling career, and as part of finding my own path in life, I worked primarily with young adults in support, well-being and educational roles in the UK and Canada. This has included international higher education, international youth travel & cultural exchange, and outdoor education. I have also previously worked in palliative care, disability support and social services, and as a secondary & sixth form teacher of the performing arts.