Circle Therapists

Our therapists are all part of Circle Therapy and have met our standards of practice, we do not offer our services via independent therapists who rent spaces from us.

“This means that our team work together to uphold and maintain the highest standards of practice and we develop our services in collaboration. Our team as well as being clinically supervised, attend weekly Circle Therapy clinical meetings to ensure that we are continually offering the best service to our clients. Our team also support our therapists in training to maintain consistency and high standards across the practice.” Gayle Hammill

Circle Therapy Ltd was founded by Gayle Hammill. Gayle is Clinical Director here at Circle Therapy Ltd and manages the Circle Team and practice.

Gayle holds a Diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling, an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and a Post Graduate Training in Therapy with Children and Families. 

Gayle is also a qualified Supervisor and offers clinical supervision to counsellors and other professionals including educators and medical professionals.

Gayle has been a practising psychotherapeutic counsellor for the last ten years. Gayle started her initial training supporting those with a cancer diagnosis and their families. Gayle then gained experience working with parents and children alongside teams including health visitors, social workers, teachers and other professionals.

Gayle sees children, adults, couples and families within the practice and has a specialist interest in anxiety and trauma and working with couples in therapy.

Gayle has extensive experience within private practice over the last ten years and has experience working with
multidisciplinary teams including working alongside psychologists during her initial training.

Some of the areas Gayle supports include:

Anxiety, self esteem, confidence issues, depression, relationship issues, loss, bereavement, finding meaning in life, parental issues, feelings of isolation, ADHD & ASD, trauma, hopeless feelings, infidelity, addiction, abuse, anger, redundancy, PMDD, perimenopause and menopause, sexuality, suicidal feelings, self harm, family issues and dynamics, narcissism in relationships, work stress.

Gayle and her team provide consultation to schools throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Gayle also promotes children's mental health through local media and speaks regularly on local BBC radio.

Gayle manages the Circle Connect service alongside Circle Therapy. Circle Connect is an initiative offering lower cost support with our therapists training at Diploma level. Gayle has extensive years of experience in managing and mentoring therapists through initial training towards advanced practice.

Stella has been part of the Circle Team for five years. Stella brings her extensive knowledge and experience in supporting adults, children and young people. Stella is qualified to specialise in child and young people counselling and is a Level 5 practitioner. Stella has experience in agency settings including counselling individuals with cancer, life affecting health conditions and loss. Bereavement and loss are areas of interest for Stella and she brings her experience in these areas to Circle.

Stella has a warm and gentle approach to her counselling and is a passionate practitioner.

Stella can support you with anxiety, stress, low mood and depression, loss and bereavement, illness in the family, self harm, relationship issues, changes in the family.

Lisa has been a part of the team at Circle for two years. Lisa brings her wealth of experience in supporting young people as well as adults. Lisa is an Integrative Psychotherapeutic counsellor and is a Level 5 qualified practitioner. Lisa has worked in agency settings supporting adults with abuse, anxiety, low mood and depression, suicidal thoughts, trauma, self harm and many more challenges. Lisa supports children aged 5 upwards at Circle alongside her teenage clients and adult clients.

Lisa has a warm and honest style to her approach and is passionate about supporting mental health.

Lisa can support you with anxiety, stress, low mood and depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, abuse, work stress, life changes, issues within families and self esteem.

Jackie brings with her experience in supporting adults. Jackie still volunteers for Cruse Bereavement Support. Jackie holds a Level 5 diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling and is a qualified level 5 practitioner. Jackie has had experience working with a wide range of clients in her work including those who have experienced loss, bereavement and complex life challenges.

Jackie has a specialist interest in LGBQT and sexuality areas of counselling and brings this passion with her to Circle. Jackie also brings over 20 years experience working within the education sector so understands the issues that families and young people face in life.

Jackie also supports adults who are helping elderly parents transition into care, this important and difficult time of life presents emotional challenges as adult children adapt to living losses.

Jackie can support you with anxiety, stress, low mood and depression, loss and bereavement, self esteem, relationship difficulties, and life challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start my support?

We will offer an initial assessment session to mutually explore what you need and agree any next steps together, there is no obligation to continue.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions you require will differ from person to person depending on your current situation and your emotional process. Generally anything up to 12 sessions is short term work. Longer standing deeper issues generally benefit from longer term counselling which we can discuss together as needed. The service takes an individual approach to therapy which aims to meet your individual needs.

Are the sessions face to face or online?

We offer both face to face or online sessions depending on your location and circumstances.

How often will the sessions be?

Sessions are weekly in order to establish a therapeutic relationship and to enable therapeutic change to occur.

How long are the sessions?

Sessions are 50 minutes for one to one adults, 60 minutes for couples and between 40-50 minutes for children.

How do I pay?

We collect payment via a mandate each week of your session. We charge for missed sessions unless an emergency. This is because the session time each week is allocated to you and cannot be filled. We work with a limited number of clients for this reason.

How does confidentiality work? Anything that you discuss in sessions is treated as confidential. There are limits to this confidentiality if there is a serious risk of harm to you or to someone else.

How will I know if I’m ready for Counselling? We have an initial assessment session with every client/parent to discuss your needs, questions and for us both to mutually explore if now is the right time and whether we are the right service for you.

How do I end my counselling?

We will discuss this together and it is ultimately your choice when your support ends, we always encourage an ending session and a planned ending to end our work together.

Session Fees for Weekly Sessions (as of 1st April 2024)

(Bi-weekly sessions are charged at a different fee and agreed on a case by case basis after an initial phase of weekly counselling)

All sessions are subject to an initial assessment to ensure we can meet your specific needs.

Gayle Hammill Clinical Director (Gayle works with a limited number of clients due to her teaching and supervising hours) (If you are a returning client please be advised that Gayle may not have capacity to see you but will always endeavour to accommodate.)

Adults one to one £70

Couples £90

Child Therapy £70

Clinical Supervision with Gayle 60 minutes £60

Clinical Supervision with Gayle 90 minutes £80 (limited availability)

Circle Team Therapists Level 5/6 Practitioners - Weekly Sessions

Adults & Children one to one sessions

£65 - £70 (depends on which therapist you work with)

Initial Assessment £70

Circle Therapists Level 4 Practitioners - Weekly Sessions

Adults or Teens one to one counselling ages (13 -18) £55

Initial Assessment £70

Circle Connect Counsellors undertaking Diploma Training Level 4 - Weekly Sessions - Please contact us for further pricing information

Adults reduced sliding scale fees (Subject to initial assessment) Not applicable to couple therapy

Children & Young People reduced sliding scale fees (subject to initial assessment)

We have some limited availability for free sessions for up to 12 sessions of support for adults who cannot fund sessions due to financial constraints.

How Can We Help?