Profile / United Kingdom
Philip Gilson-Smith, NCPS
United Kingdom
Counsellor - Anxiety and relationships
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness methods
- Addiction support
About Philip
Philip Gilson-Smith is a counsellor (NCPS) based in the United Kingdom with five years' experience. He works with people facing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and abuse, addiction, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting and life changes. Philip also supports those dealing with grief, self-esteem, career questions and ADHD. He offers clear, practical help rather than abstract theory.
Philip describes his work as integrative. He pays close attention to recurring patterns of thought and behaviour that get in the way of progress. Sessions focus on noticing unhelpful habits, testing small changes, and building useful skills for day-to-day life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one approach he uses alongside client-centred listening and mindfulness-based techniques.
He also draws on hypnotherapy and Jungian ideas when they fit a person’s goals. That can mean using imagery, exploring personal narratives, or guided relaxation to shift perspective. These options are presented as practical tools rather than labels.
Philip often helps people who struggle with control, attachment or abandonment fears, codependency, communication problems and issues around separation or fatherhood. He also supports those coping with drug or alcohol addiction, anger, jealousy and feelings of guilt or shame.
Work with him usually begins by clarifying what someone wants to change and setting straightforward goals. Sessions include talk, exercises to try between meetings, and regular review of what’s working. For people wanting structure and direct tools, his approach aims to be concrete and action-focused.
How Philip uses structured approaches online
Philip commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and test practical changes. CBT sessions often involve setting specific goals, trying behavioural experiments between meetings, and reviewing what helps manage anxiety, low mood or stress.He also works in a client-centred way, offering attentive listening and using the client’s own priorities to guide sessions. That approach is useful for clarifying goals, exploring feelings and deciding what to focus on next.
Hypnotherapy can be offered as a tool for guided relaxation and focused imagery to shift perspective on habits or trauma-related responses. It is presented as one option alongside talking-based methods rather than a stand-alone promise of change.
Finding the right mix of approaches is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and agree which methods to try. Sessions are reviewed regularly so the plan can be adjusted based on what is helpful.
The biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm available session types before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, reduce travel time and let someone choose whether to use video or a different setup depending on bandwidth and comfort.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
5+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he help with?
He works with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, addiction, grief, self-esteem and life changes.
How does he describe his therapeutic style?
He uses an integrative style that focuses on spotting unhelpful patterns, trying different responses and building practical skills.
What experience does he have?
Philip has five years' experience working in counselling and therapeutic practice in the United Kingdom.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is listed with NCPS and practises from the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current options before booking.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.