- Years in practice
- 5
- Registration
- NCPS
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Philip
Philip Gilson-Smith is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who uses an integrative approach to support people through parenting and other life challenges. He holds NCPS and brings five years of practice experience to his work. Philip speaks English and offers sessions to clients both in the UK and internationally.
He focuses on everyday problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and coping with life changes. He also helps with relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief, addictions and career concerns.
Background and approach
Parenting and fatherhood issues are included among his areas of interest when individuals want help with those topics. Philip pays attention to patterns that happen outside conscious awareness. He helps people spot repeating thoughts and behaviours that get in the way of change.
Then he works with them to try different ways of thinking and acting, so progress can feel more possible. Sessions combine straightforward conversation with practical tools. Techniques may include cognitive work to change unhelpful thinking, mindfulness practices to manage stress, and guided imagery where appropriate.
He aims to make sessions focused and relevant to a client’s daily life. People who want to start choose a short matching questionnaire and book a session. Philip offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, so people can pick the format that fits their routine.
What Philip works with
Everything Philip lists, in their own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Philip helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dependent personality
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Fatherhood issues
- Guilt and shame
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Narcissism
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
Approaches Philip lists
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Hypnotherapy
- Jungian Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
Therapeutic approaches for online parenting support
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the person. The therapist follows the client's lead and helps them find clarity about their goals, which can be useful when parenting decisions feel overwhelming.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the thoughts and actions that keep problems going. It helps people try practical changes to thinking and behaviour, which can reduce anxiety, improve mood and make day-to-day parenting moments more manageable.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention practices to reduce stress and increase presence. These skills support emotional regulation and can help when parenting triggers strong reactions.
Choosing an approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss different ways of working and adapt methods to match the client's goals, needs and preferences. That means trying a method, checking how it fits, and adjusting as the work progresses.
Online therapy offers practical benefits for busy parents. Video calls let the therapist see non-verbal cues while being flexible about location. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can fit into short breaks. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for quicker check-ins, ongoing coaching and moments when typing feels easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to work on parenting and life issues without long travel or schedule disruption.
Questions people ask about Philip
What kinds of problems can Philip help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief and parenting concerns among other life challenges.
What is his style and approach in sessions?
The approach is integrative and client-centred, combining cognitive behavioural techniques, mindfulness and moments of guided imagery or hypnotherapy to suit the individual.
How much experience does he have?
Philip has five years of practice experience supporting people with a range of emotional and practical concerns.
What credentials and location are on file?
He is listed with NCPS and practises from the United Kingdom.
Can I work with him in other countries or languages?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.
Which session formats are available online?
Philip offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What do I need to do to begin working with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
More counsellors who work with stress & anxiety
See all of themRichard Folkes
NCPS
3 years in practice
Calm practical support for parenting and life struggles
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger
Elizabeth (Liz) Cook
BACP
12 years in practice
Experienced counsellor for parenting and stress
- Stress, Anxiety
- Grief
- Self esteem
Christopher Hurd
NCPS
4 years in practice
Practical, person-led counselling for parents and adults
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship