- Attachment-based work
- Person-centred focus
- Addictions experience
About Gillian
Gillian Ashby is an ACA counsellor in Australia with nine years' experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship strain, and major life changes. She also offers coaching for practical life and career questions.
She often hears from people who look capable on the outside but feel exhausted inside. Gillian helps when career shifts, separation, relocation, retirement or parenting changes feel harder than expected. She also supports those affected by a loved one's substance use or their own patterns of dependency and control.
Gillian uses person-centred and attachment-based approaches. Sessions are described as integrated, grounded and practical. The focus is on realistic steps that fit everyday life, not abstract goals.
Her background includes a Master of Counselling and a Bachelor of Education. She holds Level 4 clinical registration with the Australian Counsellors Association, listed as ACA. She has extensive training in addictions counselling and family-related support for people who are affected by another person's substance use.
Gillian takes an integrated approach and aims to work alongside each person's priorities. Conversations typically cover patterns of attachment, communication, boundaries and day-to-day coping strategies. She encourages simple, sustainable changes that can ease pressure in blended household or co-parenting situations.
To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule their first session. The counsellor asks about immediate concerns and practical goals in that first meeting.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on the ways early and current relationships shape feelings and reactions. Online work can look at patterns of trust, closeness and distance and how those patterns affect day-to-day life in a blended household.Client-Centred Therapy emphasises the person's own perspective and goals. In online sessions this means the counsellor follows the client's agenda, listens closely and works on practical steps the client wants to try between meetings.
Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. Gillian will discuss goals, preferences and what feels useful in early sessions. Together they will try methods and check what helps, adjusting the focus over time.
Confirm the current session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy week and to have shorter check-ins when needed. It can also reduce travel time and allow someone to keep sessions alongside work, parenting or study commitments. Appropriately qualified or registered therapists can tailor timing and structure to what fits a person's routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship strain and coping with life changes. Additional areas include abandonment, attachment issues and blended family issues.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her style is person-centred and attachment-based with an integrated practical focus. Sessions aim to identify patterns and develop everyday strategies.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Gillian has nine years of experience working in counselling and education contexts. She has particular experience in addictions and family-related support.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She holds ACA clinical registration with the Australian Counsellors Association and practices in Australia.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions arranged and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started with a session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is for adults and is not emergency care, mediation or legal advice. If you or a child are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.