Ali Gill BA (Hons) Dip Psychotherapy MBACP UKCP Reg

Abuse, Addictions, Adolescence, Alcohol Problems, Anger, Anorexia Nervosa, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Bereavement, Bipolar Disorder, Bisexual Issues, Bulimia Nervosa, Bullying, Cancer, Career Issues, Childhood Issues, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) (ME), Codependence, Confidence Issues, Creativity, Cultural Issues, Depression, Diabetes, Disability, Dissociation, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Drug Addiction, Dyslexia, Eating Disorders, Faith Issues, Fear, Gambling, Gay Issues, Grief, History of Mental Illness, Identity, Immigration, Inhibitions, Integration of Experience, Internet Addiction, Internet Gambling Addiction, Lack of Meaning in Life, Lesbian Issues, Loneliness, Loss, Midlife Crisis, Mother and Baby Issues, Obsessions, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Attacks, Personal Growth, Personal Relationships, Personality Difficulties, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Physical Illness, Post Natal Depression (PND), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Pregnancy, Psychosis, Psychosomatic Symptoms, Racial Abuse, Rape, Redundancy, Same Sex Relationships, Schizophrenia, Self Development, Self Esteem, Self Harm, Sexual Abuse, Sexuality, Sleeping Problems, Smoking Addiction, Social Phobia, Spirituality, Stress, Transitions, Trauma, Unresolved Issues, Work Issues and Relationships

Brief Therapy, Client Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eclectic Therapy, Existential Therapy, Experiential Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, Integrative Therapy, Person Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Transpersonal Therapy

Female

I have twelve years experience of working with a wide range of clients with a variety of issues. In the last five years I have been counselling within NHS Primary Care, helping people deal with all kinds of problems such as anxiety, depression, anger management and expression, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), abuse, low self-esteem, redundancy and bereavement. In this context I predominantly use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies.

I offer face to face counselling and psychotherapy at my practice in Penzance which is conveniently situated in the town centre. There is no disabled access but I can arrange to hire a different room if necessary. I have use of two small rooms and one large therapy room.

I also offer telephone counselling and online support via secure email.

As well as one to one therapy, I run therapy groups and one-off therapy workshops such as an introduction to psychodrama, healthy anger expression and management, assertiveness, anxiety management, releasing fear and soul therapy.

I work very eclectically from a wide base of therapeutic approaches, including person-centred and psychodynamic counselling, psychodrama and psychodramatic bodywork, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy and Reiki healing.

At the initial assessment, I try to establish a good rapport with my clients which enables me to hear and to sense what they are really needing and to know how I can facilitate that. I will assume the approach which seems most appropriate whether that's a traditional talking and listening format, or a more physical and active way of working which can facilitate emotional release and body healing.

I use specific strategies and exercises over the phone which can enhance the therapeutic approach and relationship as communication can of course be restricted by telephone or email.

I respect everyone I work with and trust that they are really the experts of themselves, not me; my job is to help facilitate a safe working relationship and environment in which they can grow, be themselves and find their own answers.

I gained a BA Hons Degree in Psychology and English in 1992 and I then did a Postgraduate Certificate in English and Research Methodology part-time for a year. Whilst working in mental health in Oxford both in the voluntary sector and for the CMHT, I completed my Counselling Diploma in 1998 and my Diploma in Psychodrama Psychotherapy in 1999.

Since then, I have completed a variety of short training courses to maintain my professional development. In 2007 I gained my 1st and 2nd Diplomas in Reiki Healing, enabling me to work as a practitioner. I have been training in Psychodramatic Bodywork (Susan Aaron, Toronto) since 2006 and will be qualified in June 2009.

Over the last few years my own journey has become much more focused on my spirituality, contemplating life and the universe and why I'm here and on the full integration of my mind, body, heart and soul. My intention is to be congruent with my clients and to not censor any part of myself; in this way I hope to encourage this in the people I work with so that they can truly be themselves.

I maintain my own therapy and supervision so that I ensure the best service possible for my clients.