Gillian Smith

I offer sessions Monday to Friday between 9am and 7pm, with weekend sessions available upon request. Each session lasts 50 minutes.

I understand that life doesn't always fit neatly into a fixed weekly slot, so if you need to shift your session time occasionally, that's absolutely fine. I work flexibly to accommodate what works best for you week to week, and if you find yourself needing a session outside of my regular hours, later evening appointments can also be requested.

I believe in being straightforward and respectful of your time. If I'm taking a holiday, I'll always give you at least six weeks' notice so you can plan ahead. In the rare event that I need to cancel a session due to an emergency, any fee paid will be carried over and applied to your rescheduled appointment.

Flexibility is important to me, not just as a practical consideration, but because I recognise that feeling supported and not having to worry about rigid scheduling is all part of feeling at ease with the process.

My approach is rooted in Person-Centred therapy which is a way of working that places you, your feelings, and your experiences at the heart of everything we do.

Person-Centred therapy isn't about advice, diagnosis, or a prescribed plan. People sometimes wonder whether Person-Centred therapy means the therapist simply sits and nods - I promise you, it's rather more than that. Through thoughtful, open questioning and honest conversation, we'll explore what's really going on for you, including the patterns and emotions that may be operating quietly in the background without you fully realising it. Where it feels right, I'll gently challenge your thinking, offer a different perspective, and suggest practical strategies and tools to support you between sessions, so the work doesn't stop when we say goodbye for the week.

Change is absolutely possible and whilst you'll find your own answers, you won't be doing it alone.

As you begin to talk and reflect, simply feeling truly heard without judgement or agenda, I can help you start to untangle difficult emotions, recognise patterns in your thoughts and behaviours, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. This growing self-awareness is often where things begin to shift.

I hold an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and am a registered member of the BACP and an accredited member of NCPS. I have over twenty years of experience working alongside children, young people, and adults - and my path into counselling was shaped not only professionally, but by my own lived experience of trauma, anxiety, grief, and periods of low mood. That experience means I understand, on a very human level, how much it matters to have someone who genuinely listens with care.

All sessions are held online, so you can access warm, professional support from the comfort and privacy of your own home - no waiting rooms, no travelling, just a safe and familiar space where you can talk when you're ready.

Connect and Talk is an online counselling practice offering warm, professional support to adults experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm, depression or grief - whether rooted in present pressures or past experiences that have stayed with you longer than you'd like.

With a psychodynamic training background, I also bring an understanding of how past experiences and unconscious patterns can quietly shape how we think and feel today.

Do you notice constant tension, mental fatigue, or an emotional heaviness that doesn't easily lift? Do you find yourself overthinking, questioning your decisions, or feeling pressure to keep going despite feeling completely depleted? Perhaps things look fine from the outside, but on the inside you feel unsettled, stretched, or worn down.

If any of this resonates, you're in the right place.

I offer a calm, supportive space where there's no pressure to perform or explain yourself perfectly. We work at your pace, gently exploring what's contributing to how you feel and noticing the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. As therapy progresses, many people find they experience greater emotional steadiness, clearer boundaries, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

The aim isn't to change who you are, it's to support you in feeling more grounded, present, and able to live in a way that feels manageable and authentic.

Because sessions are available during the day and evening we work to a schedule that suits your life. When the time feels right to end our work together, I'd encourage us to discuss that as part of the process rather than simply stepping away because endings can be just as valuable as beginnings.

Our first session is really about getting to know one another - there's no pressure to dive straight into the deep end, and no expectation that you'll have everything neatly mapped out before we begin.

Before we start, I'll take a little time to go through some important practicalities about what confidentiality means for you and the rare circumstances where it may need to be reconsidered, how long our sessions will last, and what you can generally expect from our time together. I may also invite you to complete a short questionnaire, such as a GAD-7 or PHQ-9, which simply helps me build a clearer picture of how you've been feeling. I'll also ask for an emergency contact, just so I have that in place should I ever need it.

From there, our first session is largely about you - what's brought you to therapy, what's been going on, and what you're hoping for, even if that's not entirely clear yet. That's perfectly fine as very few people arrive with a neatly organised list, and you certainly don't need one.

It's also worth saying that finding the right therapist genuinely matters. Research consistently shows that the relationship between therapist and client is central to how helpful therapy can be. If after our first session you feel I'm not quite the right fit for you, that's absolutely okay - there's no obligation to continue, and I'd far rather you find someone who feels right than stay out of politeness.

We begin with a free 15 minute initial consultation which is a relaxed, no-obligation conversation where you can get a feel for whether working together feels right. No pressure, no commitment, just a gentle first conversation. 

I work Monday to Friday between the hours 9am and 7pm, with occasional weekend sessions available on request. 

To arrange an appointment, please email me directly on connectandtalk121@gmail.com to request a session. 

I will then share available times based on your request, and once we've agreed a date and time, I will send you a personal booking link. This link will generate a Google Meet video session, or if you prefer, sessions can be held by telephone instead.

Please note that when I am taking holiday leave, I will let you know at least one month in advance, so you can plan accordingly.

My approach is rooted in Person-Centred therapy, a way of working that places you, your feelings, and your experiences at the heart of everything we do.

Person-Centred therapy isn't about advice, diagnosis, or a prescribed plan. People sometimes wonder whether Person-Centred therapy means the therapist simply sits and nods - I promise you, it's rather more than that. Through thoughtful, open questioning and honest conversation, we'll explore what's really going on for you,  including the patterns and feelings that may be operating quietly in the background without you fully realising it. Where it feels right, I'll gently challenge your thinking, offer a different perspective, and suggest practical strategies and tools to support you between sessions, so the work doesn't stop when we say goodbye for the week.

Change is absolutely possible and whilst you'll find your own answers, you don't have to do it alone.

As you begin to talk and reflect, simply feeling truly heard, without judgement or agenda, can help you start to untangle or recognise difficult emotions, recognise patterns in your thoughts and behaviours, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. This growing self-awareness is often where things begin to shift.

I hold an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and am a registered member of the BACP and accredited member of NCPS. I have over twenty years of experience working alongside children, young people, and adults and my path into counselling 8 years ago was shaped not only professionally, but by my own lived experience of trauma, anxiety, grief, and periods of low mood. That experience means I understand, on a very human level, how much it matters to have someone who genuinely listens with care.

All sessions are held online, so you can access warm, professional support from the comfort and privacy of your own home - no waiting rooms, no travelling, just a safe and familiar space where you can talk when you're ready.

Connect and Talk is an online counselling practice offering warm, professional support to adults experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm, depression or grief - whether rooted in present pressures or past experiences that have stayed with you longer than you'd like.

Do you notice constant tension, mental fatigue, or an emotional heaviness that doesn't easily lift? Do you find yourself overthinking, questioning your decisions, or feeling pressure to keep going despite feeling completely depleted? Perhaps things look fine from the outside, but on the inside you feel unsettled, stretched, or worn down.

If any of this resonates, you're in the right place.

I offer a calm, supportive space where there's no pressure to perform or explain yourself perfectly. We work at your pace, gently exploring what's contributing to how you feel and noticing the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. As therapy progresses, many people find they experience greater emotional steadiness, clearer boundaries, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

The aim isn't to change who you are, it's to support you in feeling more grounded, present, and able to live in a way that feels manageable and authentic.

Sessions are available during the day and evenings, with no fixed frequency - we work to a schedule that suits your life. When the time feels right to end our work together, I'd encourage us to discuss that as part of the process rather than simply stepping away because endings can be just as valuable as beginnings.

It can feel really uncomfortable to reach out so if you're considering taking that first step, I'd gently invite you to get in touch - not to commit to anything, but simply to explore whether working together might be the start of things feeling a little different.

Our first session is really about getting to know one another.  There's no pressure to dive straight into the deep end, and no expectation that you'll have everything neatly mapped out before we begin.

Before we start, I'll take a little time to go through some important practicalities such as, what confidentiality means for you and the rare circumstances where it may need to be reconsidered, how long our sessions will last, and what you can generally expect from our time together. I may also invite you to complete a short questionnaire, such as a GAD-7 or PHQ-9, which simply helps me build a clearer picture of how you've been feeling. I'll also ask for an emergency contact, just so I have that in place should I ever need it.

From there, our first session is largely about you - what's brought you to therapy, what's been going on, and what you're hoping for, even if that's not entirely clear yet. That's perfectly fine, very few people arrive with a neatly organised list, and you certainly don't need one.

It's also worth saying that finding the right therapist genuinely matters. Research consistently shows that the relationship between therapist and client is central to how helpful therapy can be. If after our first session you feel I'm not quite the right fit for you, that's absolutely okay and there's no obligation to continue. I'd far rather you find someone who feels right than stay out of politeness.

We begin with a free 15 minute initial consultation which is a relaxed, no-obligation conversation where you can get a feel for whether working together feels right. No pressure, no commitment, just a gentle first conversation. The booking link will be shared with you after you make your enquiry. 

I offer sessions Monday to Friday between 9am and 7pm, with weekend sessions available upon request. Each session lasts 50 minutes.

I understand that life doesn't always fit neatly into a fixed weekly slot, so if you need to shift your session time occasionally, that's absolutely fine. I work flexibly to accommodate what works best for you week to week, and if you find yourself needing a session outside of my regular hours, later evening appointments can also be requested.

I believe in being straightforward and respectful of your time. If I'm taking a holiday, I'll always give you at least six weeks' notice so you can plan ahead. In the rare event that I need to cancel a session due to an emergency, any fee paid will be carried over and applied to your rescheduled appointment.

Flexibility is important to me, not just as a practical consideration, but because I recognise that feeling supported and not having to worry about rigid scheduling is all part of feeling at ease with the process.

My approach is rooted in Person-Centred therapy which is a way of working that places you, your feelings, and your experiences at the heart of everything we do.

Person-Centred therapy isn't about advice, diagnosis, or a prescribed plan. People sometimes wonder whether Person-Centred therapy means the therapist simply sits and nods - I promise you, it's rather more than that. Through thoughtful, open questioning and honest conversation, we'll explore what's really going on for you, including the patterns and emotions that may be operating quietly in the background without you fully realising it. Where it feels right, I'll gently challenge your thinking, offer a different perspective, and suggest practical strategies and tools to support you between sessions, so the work doesn't stop when we say goodbye for the week.

Change is absolutely possible and whilst you'll find your own answers, you won't be doing it alone.

As you begin to talk and reflect, simply feeling truly heard without judgement or agenda, I can help you start to untangle difficult emotions, recognise patterns in your thoughts and behaviours, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. This growing self-awareness is often where things begin to shift.

I hold an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and am a registered member of the BACP and an accredited member of NCPS. I have over twenty years of experience working alongside children, young people, and adults - and my path into counselling was shaped not only professionally, but by my own lived experience of trauma, anxiety, grief, and periods of low mood. That experience means I understand, on a very human level, how much it matters to have someone who genuinely listens with care.

All sessions are held online, so you can access warm, professional support from the comfort and privacy of your own home - no waiting rooms, no travelling, just a safe and familiar space where you can talk when you're ready.

Connect and Talk is an online counselling practice offering warm, professional support to adults experiencing anxiety, stress, overwhelm, depression or grief - whether rooted in present pressures or past experiences that have stayed with you longer than you'd like.

Do you notice constant tension, mental fatigue, or an emotional heaviness that doesn't easily lift? Do you find yourself overthinking, questioning your decisions, or feeling pressure to keep going despite feeling completely depleted? Perhaps things look fine from the outside, but on the inside you feel unsettled, stretched, or worn down.

If any of this resonates, you're in the right place.

I offer a calm, supportive space where there's no pressure to perform or explain yourself perfectly. We work at your pace, gently exploring what's contributing to how you feel and noticing the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. As therapy progresses, many people find they experience greater emotional steadiness, clearer boundaries, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

The aim isn't to change who you are, it's to support you in feeling more grounded, present, and able to live in a way that feels manageable and authentic.

Because sessions are available during the day and evening we work to a schedule that suits your life. When the time feels right to end our work together, I'd encourage us to discuss that as part of the process rather than simply stepping away because endings can be just as valuable as beginnings.

It takes courage to reach out and take the first step. If you're considering taking that step, I'd gently invite you to get in touch, not to commit to anything, but simply to explore whether working together might be the start of things feeling a little different.

Our first session is really about getting to know one another - there's no pressure to dive straight into the deep end, and no expectation that you'll have everything neatly mapped out before we begin.

Before we start, I'll take a little time to go through some important practicalities about what confidentiality means for you and the rare circumstances where it may need to be reconsidered, how long our sessions will last, and what you can generally expect from our time together. I may also invite you to complete a short questionnaire, such as a GAD-7 or PHQ-9, which simply helps me build a clearer picture of how you've been feeling. I'll also ask for an emergency contact, just so I have that in place should I ever need it.

From there, our first session is largely about you - what's brought you to therapy, what's been going on, and what you're hoping for, even if that's not entirely clear yet. That's perfectly fine as very few people arrive with a neatly organised list, and you certainly don't need one.

It's also worth saying that finding the right therapist genuinely matters. Research consistently shows that the relationship between therapist and client is central to how helpful therapy can be. If after our first session you feel I'm not quite the right fit for you, that's absolutely okay - there's no obligation to continue, and I'd far rather you find someone who feels right than stay out of politeness.

We begin with a free 15 minute initial consultation which is a relaxed, no-obligation conversation where you can get a feel for whether working together feels right. No pressure, no commitment, just a gentle first conversation.