Gillian Davies

Free 30 minute introductory sessions offered.

I am a Counsellor with specialist training in the use of arts in therapy for young people from the begining of their senior school years to twenty five years of age. Alongside talking therapy I offer art tools and play to assist the young people to bring and explore their feelings. I completed my training at IATE ( Institute of Art Therapy) where I discovered how the use of art tools, wether it is drawing, clay, play doh or other forms can support the expression and understanding of a client's experience.

In my work, the relationship with the young person is important and allowing them space to be themselves and express whatever they are experiencing in the safety of feeling it is heard without judgement.

As well as working with private clients I work in Senior Schools with diverse populations, the children I work with often also have SEN requirements as well as experiencing mental health challenges so understanding different ways of processing and feeling comfortable in the sessions is important too. I have personal life experience with my own young people and our family history that has provided me insight and learning alongside my training.

Please call to have a conversation, it's important to find the right Counsellor for you. Gill 

First sessions are about getting to know each other and building a relationship in which the client feels safe to talk and bring their experience. Sometimes though it is hard to talk, hard to find the right words, or just too much to say out loud. Drawing whether abstract, stick characters or imagery, choosing a ready made image, clay or play-dough modelling can all give you another way of expressing your feelings or showing what you want to say. Sometimes the Arts can help find a different perspective or discover buried emotion. 

Sessions are always guided by what the client needs and are ready for. I work to hear, listen, be curious, understand, truly empathise with and validate whatever is happening for the person I am working with. This is the foundation for allowing the young person to feel emotionally safe and able to explore and process their experience .

The importance of having the right therapist to work with for you is paramount, so wherever possible a free phone call is offered ahead of a booking.

I offer a 30 minute free session or phone call  prior to booking and paying for a first session. This is so the young person can see if they comfortable working with me before committing to a longer period.