Louise Gillies , BACP

Louise Gillies is a counsellor who focuses on grief, parenting, self-esteem and ADHD. She works with people dealing with fertility or pregnancy loss, the strains of early parenthood, and the emotional effects of long-term health conditions. She also supports those facing life changes such as menopause, retirement or the empty nest. Louise draws on ten years of UK practice and is a BACP member. She creates a calm, open space where people can talk at their own pace. Sessions aim to feel manageable and down to earth rather than overwhelming or overly clinical. Her style is collaborative and practical. Conversations often look at immediate problems first, then build longer-term strategies. She uses mindfulness and acceptance-based ideas to help people relate differently to difficult thoughts and feelings. Louise also uses client-centred and solution-focused methods to keep work grounded in the person’s goals. This means sessions will mix listening with simple, actionable steps to try between meetings. Many people find this approach helps with motivation, confidence and everyday functioning. She adapts work to life circumstances and practical limits. That may mean shorter check-ins, phone sessions, or focusing on one achievable change at a time. The aim is steady progress that fits around existing responsibilities and changes in life.

Approach-led online counselling and practical tools

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for grief, low motivation and ongoing health challenges because it focuses on small, value-driven steps. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple present-moment skills such as breathing and noticing thoughts without getting swept away. This can reduce stress, improve focus and support emotional regulation in daily life.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Louise will discuss different methods with each person and adapt her way of working to their goals and preferences. This collaboration helps shape sessions that feel relevant and practical rather than one-size-fits-all.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video suits longer conversations and a more face-to-face feel. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a person does not want to be on camera. Live chat and messaging are useful for short check-ins, homework support or when people need flexible, brief contact. These options help fit therapy around work, parenting and other commitments while keeping the focus on making steady, meaningful progress.