Grace McBrien

What is psychotherapy and How it Can Help?

Psychotherapy, whether it is as an individual, a couple or a family is a way of understanding and working with things in life that feel unsatisfactory. Sometimes, expressed through the use of words, such as, empty, anxious, depressed, stuck, painful, or confusing. At other times, it is expressed through understanding what actions to take, what you want to do more of, what you want to do less of. Both require understanding and listening.

Psychotherapy starts by recognising that our struggles didn't happen in isolation. The way we cope, and make sense of things is shaped by many influences. Such as, our relationships, gender, upbringing, religion, cultural background(s), beliefs and values. Working with me can help you to uncover how these parts of life connect and affect one another. My particular skill is helping you to be curious about what's going on inside you, while also paying attention to what is going on around you .

Sometimes, in trying to figure out a solution, less useful conversations take place. This can make it difficult to understand the problem clearly or decide what to do about it. Please do contact me and together we can work toward creating some certainty!

Stories lived, stories told

Every person, every couple, every family has a story.

Some of those stories are spoken out loud, such as the ones we tell to explain who we are and how things came to be this way. Other stories are lived quietly, things left unspoken; these things do not just disappear. Instead, they tend to settle into the spaces between people, shaping how we relate without us realising it.

We might keep circling the same arguments, or focusing on the surface-level issues, while something deeper stays out of reach.

You might find that the ways of thinking and communicating that work so well in one part of life don't seem to land the same way in other parts. It can be confusing when you're doing your best to approach things clearly, logically,

Individuals, Couples and Family's Psychotherapist

I've been supporting people through times of pain, change, and difficulty since 2001. Working in both statutory and non-statutory settings across Local authority, health, education, and specialist therapeutic services.

I'm a qualified systemic psychotherapist, having completed four years postgraduate training to work with couples, families, and individuals, with a particular focus on how relationships shape us. I am particularly interested in what gets talked about, what gets responded to, what does not get talked about and how this affects relationships. The 'stuff 'of communication!

I have experience of working with physical health issues, neuro-developmental needs, divorcing and separating couples and families, sibling difficulties. As well as earlier traumatic experiences.

Professional Background & Approach

I'm registered and accredited with BACP, UKCP, and Association for Family Therapy and Systemic practice. I have worked with people across a wide range of cultures, ages, backgrounds, and life experiences. I believe that people are resourceful and often hold clues about what they think would help them live a more fulfilling life. I find that a collaborative approach can help people draw on their own resources and experitise.

As a systemic psychotherapist, I am trained in various theories and models, which enable me to work effectively with the dilemmas and difficulties faced by individuals, couples, and families. My training allows me to adapt my style to the differing perspectives and ideas present in each session. I will bring to the work a curious, caring presence but also a space for gentle and supportive challenge.

I am committed to creating a space where relationships can grow, and where we can talk about how I can be of use to you. I have found that face-to-face sessions often allow for the richest therapeutic work.

Stories lived, stories told

Every person, every couple, every family has a story.

Some of those stories are spoken out loud—the ones we tell to explain who we are, what's happened, or how things came to be this way. And some stories are lived quietly, things left unspoken; these things do not just disappear.

Instead, they tend to settle into the spaces between people, shaping how we relate without us realising it.

We might keep circling the same arguments, or focusing on the surface-level issues, while something deeper stays out of reach. It's easy to miss, especially when we are trying to alter it!

You might find that the ways of thinking and communicating that work so well in one part of life don't seem to land the same way at home—with a partner, a child, or a parent. It can be confusing when you're doing your best to approach things clearly, logically, but others respond in ways you didn't expect, and it's hard to understand why.

In systemic psychotherapy, we make space to think about this, uncover those deeper layers—the things that haven't been said yet. Not by finding fault with one person, but by understanding the different perspectives, expectations, and experiences each person brings. Sometimes what looks like resistance or conflict is really a story that hasn't had space to be heard. Change often begins not with finding the perfect words but with noticing what's been missing from the conversation.

Sometimes it's not that we're not talking—it's that we're not talking about the right things.

I've been supporting people through times of pain, change, and complexity since 2001 — working in both statutory and non-statutory settings across health, education, and specialist therapeutic services.

I'm a qualified systemic psychotherapist, completing postgraduate training to work with couples, families, and individuals, with a particular focus on how relationships shape us. This approach is grounded in years of academic study, clinical experience, and ongoing supervision.

Professional Background & Approach

I'm registered and accredited with BACP, UKCP, and AFT, and have worked with people across a wide range of cultures, ages, backgrounds, and life experiences.

As a systemic psychotherapist, I am trained in various theories and models, which enable me to work effectively with the dilemmas and difficulties faced by individuals, couples, and families. My training allows me to adapt my style to the differing perspectives and ideas present in each session.

I am committed to creating a space where relationships can grow, and where we can talk about how I can be of use to you. I have found that face-to-face sessions often allow for the richest therapeutic work.