About Gillian
Gillian McGowan welcomes people who are worried about relationships, family tensions, stress or low self-esteem. She is clear and down-to-earth, and aims to make sessions easy to follow. Gillian uses simple language and a calm manner to help people talk through what matters most to them.
Gillian has eight years’ experience as a counsellor after many years working in mental health. She focuses on how childhood messages and caregiver relationships shape beliefs about the self.
How Gillian works
In sessions she helps people notice those patterns and consider different ways of relating to themselves and others. She works with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting worries, and problems with intimacy or commitment. Gillian also supports those dealing with blended family issues, caregiver stress, codependency and communication breakdowns.
Practical topics such as separation, infidelity and managing jealousy are also common themes she addresses. Her approach is client-centred, which means she follows the person’s pace and priorities rather than imposing a fixed plan. She describes herself as warm, open and non-judgemental, creating a space to explore difficult feelings and choices.
Sessions are collaborative and tailored to each person’s goals. Gillian practises in the United Kingdom and works in English. She helps individuals who want a thoughtful, respectful counsellor to talk through life changes, rebuild self-worth and find clearer ways to relate to others.
Gillian lists one way of working on the entry:
What Gillian works with
The areas below are the ones Gillian selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
Also listed
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Grief
- Guilt and shame
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Training and background
| Register | NCPS |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 8 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
How client-centred work translates to online therapy
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening, empathy and following the person’s agenda. The therapist creates space for the client to talk freely, helps reflect feelings back, and supports people to find their own solutions. This approach is useful for issues like self-esteem, life transitions, relationship patterns and coping with grief.Working online allows the therapist and client to explore which ways of working suit them best. The counsellor will discuss goals, preferences and practical needs, then adapt sessions accordingly in a collaborative way. Finding the right fit is a shared process and can be reviewed as work progresses.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, each offering different practical benefits. Video lets people use visual cues and longer conversations. Phone calls need less bandwidth and can fit into short breaks. Live chat and text are helpful for shorter check-ins, ongoing notes between sessions, or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit around work, family and daily life.
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Common questions
What concerns does Gillian focus on?
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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