Counselling, Hypnotherapy & Supervision

with Carolyn Gillan

In-person and online therapy in Plymouth, Devon

Welcome

As an experienced counsellor and hypnotherapist in Plymouth, I’ve been privileged to see hundreds of people transform their lives for the better. When people overcome their difficulties, they don’t just gain a happier, calmer mindset, they become more confident, more energised and more focused on the things that really matter to them. They become free to choose more of the life they want to lead. I believe the same is possible for you too. Using a gentle and effective approach, I’ll focus on what you want to achieve so that you can enjoy a more fulfilling and happier life.

About me

Carolyn Gillan

BSc (Hons), AdvDipIntCouns, HPD, DHP SFBT (Hyp)

Counsellor · Hypnotherapist · Supervisor · Author · Lecturer

Qualified and insured counsellor and hypnotherapist
Registered and accredited member of the BACP
Accredited member of the NCH
Member of CNHC and AfSFH
Practicing since 2007
Experience of treating hundreds of people
Specialist interest in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Co-author and co-editor of The Art of Solution Focused Hypnotherapy: A Collection of Case Studies
Author of a peer-reviewed article on group and self-help hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the medical journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Visiting lecturer on the Foundation Course in Solution Focused Therapy at the University of Plymouth

Common conditions I help with...

Anxiety

My goal is help you get back to feeling like yourself again... or even better! I'll work with you to help you overcome anxiety so that you can get on with living a happier, calmer and more fulfilling life.

Confidence

I'll work with you to help you let go of unhelpful limiting beliefs or habits so that you can develop an empowering attitude which recognises and values your skills, abilities and experience. When this happens, your confidence will shine through.

Depression

Counselling and hypnotherapy are used to help lift depression. Using a combination of evidence-based approaches, I'll support you in finding new ways to address your problems so that you can feel more confident, motivated and happier with your life.

IBS

Did you know that hypnotherapy is proven to be an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome? Clinical trials of hypnotherapy for IBS have shown that it can improve pain, bloating, disturbed bowel habit and general wellbeing.

OCD

With the right support, it's possible to recover from obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD. I’ve seen many people make huge transformations and achieve what seemed impossible… to gain control back over their lives!

Phobias & Fears

Phobias and fears can have a debilitating effect on your life. When you overcome that phobia or fear, you'll feel such a confidence boost that you're likely to see positive changes in other aspects of your life too.

Sleep Problems

Are you looking for help with your sleep? I use solution focused hypnotherapy to help people overcome sleep problems. When your sleep improves, you'll naturally feel so much better - physically and emotionally.

Trauma

Depending on the nature of your trauma, it may be possible to resolve your symptoms in just a few sessions using a process called Rewind Trauma Therapy (RTT). For complex and multiple traumas, more sessions are likely to be needed.

Therapies offered

Counselling in Plymouth

I offer individual face-to-face counselling in Plymouth, Devon in a private and confidential setting. I’m trained in several evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). So not only will you benefit from the very best that these approaches have to offer, I’ll also tailor your therapy to suit you as an individual.

Online Therapy

I use Zoom’s video-conferencing service to provide a safe and convenient way to offer online counselling or online hypnotherapy. Conversations via Zoom are encrypted so your privacy is protected.

Hypnotherapy in Plymouth

I offer clinical hypnotherapy in Plymouth, Devon to help with a range of problems such as overcoming anxiety, conquering unwanted habits and learning to live well with chronic medical conditions. I practice a model of hypnotherapy known as Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. It’s a modern approach that integrates psychotherapy, neuroscience and hypnosis.

Rewind Trauma Therapy

Rewind Trauma Therapy (RTT) is an evidence based treatment for trauma, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobias. Known as the ‘closure without disclosure’ therapy, it is a gentle approach that does not require any details of the trauma to be disclosed to the therapist. RTT is available both in-person at my practice in Plymouth, Devon and online via Zoom.

Clinical supervision

I offer one-to-one supervision for counsellors and hypnotherapists at my practice in Plymouth and online supervision via Zoom. Supervision gives therapists a chance to stand back and reflect on their professional practice to ensure they are working effectively, safely and ethically with their clients. Supervision is an ethical requirement for all counsellors and hypnotherapists.

What my clients say

"I suffered with heightened anxiety during the pandemic and I was struggling with the return to normal life. I was feeling trapped and miserable; and normal day-to-day life activities were overwhelming. I approached Carolyn for talking therapy and within the first few sessions something switched and I started to feel more positive. Over the following sessions my confidence grew and I was able to do some of the things that had previously felt unattainable. Today, I am back out doing most of the things that made up my normal day-to-day life pre-pandemic and I feel like me again. Carolyn’s approach was so supportive and each session built me up. I am now going solo but I know when things get tough and if I need to work through something I can get back in touch. Thank you so much Carolyn."

Andrea, Counselling Client

"I have a severe and complex phobia of heights and I decided to contact Carolyn after years of unsuccessful attempts at CBT and relying on anti-anxiety meds. Carolyn is brilliant at what she does. She is incredibly knowledgeable, and really understands what it is like/how it feels to experience the issues which led to therapy. Carolyn enabled me to understand and believe in myself and to consider solutions which would make situations that I previously avoided or found overwhelming, manageable. Her approach is very individual, and she really makes the effort to get to know people. Carolyn is very professional and decent; she always does what she says she will do and is flexible when arranging appointments. Thanks to Carolyn, I am able to manage and cope with heights and able to consider solutions to any problems (rather than panicking or avoiding heights)."

Online Counselling Client

"Carolyn has helped me get through a very rough patch in my life. There were times when I felt that my anxiety was never going to get better, but Carolyn always reassured me and gave me new positive ways of thinking. After having a few sessions with Carolyn I feel confident and happy to continue on my own. I would not have been able to do this without her. So thank you very much, you have helped me out at my time of need. I have recommended her to people and will continue to do so."

Leah, Online Counselling Client

"I have worried about my health unnecessarily for a very long time. Carolyn helped me understand why my thoughts were processing in this manner and gave me a number of techniques to help manage them. Understanding why I thought like I did and subsequently applying the techniques to manage my thoughts have drastically changed how I deal with my health worries. It’s empowering to know that I can deal with any worries that arise."

Gareth, Counselling Client

"Just thought I would drop you a line to say all is going well thanks to you and your magic which I'm eternally grateful for. I have not smoked or used NRT since our last meeting wooooohooooo! Hope this message finds you well. Thank you once again for all your help, you're a real star."

Marc, Stop Smoking Online Hypnotherapy Client

"I would highly recommend hypnotherapy to anyone suffering with anxiety. Carolyn is extremely friendly and personable and immediately put me at ease. I am delighted with the progress I have made with Carolyn's help and now know exactly what I need to do to continue to improve. Not only will I miss the therapy, I will also miss chatting and laughing with Carolyn, I always left her feeling buoyant!"

Laura, Hypnotherapy Client

"This fabulous woman helped me to transform my life. There are no magic solutions, it takes commitment and effort to adopt the tools for life that Carolyn helps you to develop - but it works, and if you're open to it positive changes can be achieved really quickly. Highly recommended."

Di, Hypnotherapy Client

"I would highly recommend this process [hypnotherapy] to anyone. I never thought that this would not only enable me to be myself again on an emotional level but it also gave me my physical energy back too. All I can say is it's simply amazing and what could you possibly have to lose by putting your needs first, I very highly recommend this process of healing."

Emma, Hypnotherapy Client