Philip "Phil" Giles, BACP

Philip "Phil" Giles helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem and depression. He uses straightforward language and a calm presence to make sessions feel manageable for people who are worried or unsure about therapy.

Phil draws on 16 years of professional therapy experience alongside a long background in uniformed service. He has worked on critical incidents across the UK and has also lived and worked abroad, including roles connected to corporate and personal injury law.

His approach is practical and person-focused. He listens first and then works with each person to find small, useful changes they can try between sessions. Techniques are chosen to suit the issue, whether that means noticing unhelpful thinking, practising grounding skills, or looking at the stories people tell about their lives.

Phil combines several well established methods such as client-centred work, mindfulness and psychodynamic ideas to understand patterns that cause repeated distress. He also uses elements of dialectical behaviour therapy and narrative work when these fit a person’s needs.

Sessions aim to reduce overwhelm and build clearer ways of coping. People can expect a direct but compassionate style that focuses on what matters to them now and next steps they can use in daily life.

As a BACP counsellor based in the United Kingdom, he works with people worldwide and offers sessions in English. To start, clients use the Start Therapy button and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to a person. It helps people feel heard and build their own solutions through gentle, non-directive support. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, teaches practical skills for managing strong emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness; it can be helpful for impulsivity, emotional overwhelm and relationship struggles. Mindfulness Therapy encourages paying attention to the present moment and simple grounding practices that reduce worry and rumination.

Finding the right mix of methods is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk through goals and preferences and suggest which approach or combination might help most. That way the plan fits the person rather than the other way around.

If you are considering online work, check the session formats offered before booking as these are set during matching. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, remove travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people access a therapist who has specific experience, including work with trauma and critical incidents, without needing to be in the same place.