My Approach

Contemporary Gestalt Psychotherapy (Level 7; Member of HIPC; UKCP Accredited; Full Clinical Membership; EAGT Accredited, GPsyC)

Clinical Supervision and Therapy practice in-person and online.

I am an approved UKCP Clinical Supervisor and Metanoia Institute Clinical Supervisor.

Registered Psychotherapist with the General Psychotherapy Council (GPsyC)

I additionally completed the specialist online clinical training 'Certified Cyber Therapist' programme at the Online Therapy Institute.

Enhanced DBS through the DBS update subscription service.

LGBTQIA+/GSRD-affirming and inclusive practice.

My clinical training is recognised within column C of the 'SCoPEd / Partnership of counselling and psychotherapy bodies' competence framework.  

About Me

CLAIRE SPILLER (she/her); GPsyC; EAGT;
EUROPEAN CERT Psychotherapy;
Clinical Diploma & MSc. Gestalt Psychotherapy;
(Metanoia Institute & Middlesex University, Level 7, 2014);
Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy (Center for Somatic Studies, NYC, 2023)
Registered Psychotherapist with the General Psychotherapy Council (GPsyC)

UKCP Registered & Accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist (2011164217)
Certificate in Clinical Supervision (Metanoia Institute, 2021)
Certified Cyber Therapist (Online Therapy Institute, 2021)
Clinical Supervision | Consultancy | Training | Research

Email for Clinical Supervision or Therapy enquiries: therapy at startmail dot com

I am a full-time doctoral student, UKCP-registered and accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist and approved Metanoia Institute clinical supervisor. I have an Enhanced DBS that stays current through the DBS update subscription service.

I offer clinical supervision and therapy in-person or online.

FAQ:

CURRENT AVAILABILITY: No spaces.

LOCATION: My in-person practice is in Penarth town centre, Vale of Glamorgan.

I use secure video conferencing software called Zoom for online sessions, which has enhanced security features and a Virtual Private Network for encryption.

ABOUT ME: I initially qualified in Counselling at level 4 in the year 2000 and, in 2014, qualified as a Psychotherapist with an MSc and Clinical Diploma at Level 7 from the Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University.

In 2021, I was awarded the European Certificate of Psychotherapy, by the European Association for Psychotherapy (https://www.europsyche.org/ecp/why-ecp) and, in 2023, the European Certificate of Gestalt Psychotherapy by the European Association for Gestalt Psychotherapy [EAGT].

My doctorate focuses on Gestalt Psychotherapy theory and practice; this is a Level 8 programme with the Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University.

I work experientially and am interested in movement and somatic experience. I am an alumnus of the Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy training programme with the Center for Somatic Studies in New York City.

I have a Certificate in Clinical Supervision from the Metanoia Institute and work as a Clinical Supervisor for a charity supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse across gender identities.

I also offer consultancy and academic support to organizations and individuals.

I am on the faculty for the 'Certificate in Working with the Complexities of Trauma', which has been accredited by the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists and was awarded best UK professional therapy training service 2023 offering international online training:

https://www.ghp-news.com/winners/therapy-and-counselling-2/

I have an interest in online safety and data protection and am qualified in online and remote psychotherapy after graduating from the 'Certified Cyber Therapist' specialist clinical training at the Online Therapy Institute.

I have a background in writing, designing, and delivering a range of clinical teaching locally and nationally in-person and online, specialising in teaching therapists and multi-agency health and education professionals in issues relating to counselling and adult mental health. I held responsibility for teaching and assessing, qualified and trainee counsellors on working clinically with survivors of traumatic experiences, including PTSD. I gave up my teaching post to start my PhD in Autumn 2020.

During lockdown, I also led mindfulness sessions online as part of a community mental health project. I am interested in how working remotely can widen access to therapy, supervision, and training, to explore, discover, and connect, across different towns and cities, whilst supporting the environment and ecology of our planet.

In my 20's, I worked in hospital social work teams (Highfields & UHW) supporting individuals and families to access domiciliary and nursing care. I moved to the 3rd sector where I trained as a registered immigration advisor and worked with the homelessness and refugee sectors before becoming a psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor.

CLINICAL SUPERVISION

I am an approved UKCP Clinical Supervisor, working experientially in-person and online with individuals and groups, including qualified and student practitioners.

In group and individual supervision, I blend teaching with discussion, including embodied exploration of integrating theory to clinical work, with a focus on safeguarding and ethical practice.

WORKING ONLINE

I have been working remotely as a Gestalt therapist for several years before the pandemic, in addition to my work in-person.

Psychotherapy and Supervision by video call offers an effective and creative way to:

• Have sessions in your own space at home, or if you are away;
• Avoid the need to travel to a consulting room if you have caring, childcare or other responsibilities;
• If you are recovering from an illness, injury or accident;
• If you are unable to travel for medical or other reasons;

WHAT DO I NEED FOR CLINICAL SUPERVISION or THERAPY ONLINE?

• You will need a webcam;
• Ensure a stable and reliable internet connection;
• Access to the Zoom video calling platform and familiarity with the software;
• Check your audio and video settings to ensure these are working well;
• To be within a confidential environment; free from other people and distraction;
• To ensure your mobile devices or notifications are switched off or turned to silent;
• To have any AI listening devices switched off;
• A headset can offer enhanced privacy;
• Be sure to have data if you are using a mobile device;

HOW DO I ACCESS CLINICAL SUPERVISION or THERAPY ONLINE?

• You will be sent a new, unique Zoom link for each session;
• You’ll receive this via secure encrypted email for your security;
• The link will be password protected;
• The password to access Zoom will be in the encrypted email;
• On clicking the link, the system prompts to input the password;
• You will then be directed to a virtual waiting room and
• At the appointment time you’ll be invited into the online room, in which our virtual room will be secured;

PHONE THERAPY

If you do not have a computer or internet connection, telephone therapy may be an option for you. It may also be your preference. I have also been working as a therapist by phone for several years prior to the pandemic. I make the call so you don’t incur phone charges. It is important to have a confidential environment, free from other people and distraction, in which you cannot be overheard, with any other mobile devices switched off, or turned to silent.

I have a dedicated mobile for telephone therapy and a comprehensive understanding of the UK-General Data Protection Regulation post-Brexit.

I provide a UK-GDPR Privacy notice with further information about how your data is protected. If we decide to work together, I ask you to sign the Privacy notice and we each agree the terms of how we work.

I am committed to online safety and data security.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

I work with a range of issues relating to adult psychological health, including: work-related stress; feeling stuck; work-related sickness; anxiety; grievance procedures; targets; performance; capability; workplace dynamics; depression; relationship issues; self-harm, traumatic experiences; post-traumatic stress; developing confidence; self-esteem; sexual & domestic abuse and violence; loss; bereavement and anxiety relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. I offer an LGBTQIA+/GSRD-affirming and inclusive practice.

I work with people from a wide range of diverse, neurodiverse, marginalized, and multi-faith communities within a phenomenological and intersectional approach.

I have extensive professional experience of:

• SARC [Sexual Assault Referral Centre services]
• Trauma-informed psychotherapy with adult individuals;

I explore creative and experiential ways of working, drawing on gestalt psychotherapy theory and embodied relational patterns of experiencing. I enjoy and have particular interest in working with groups and group theory also the existential roots of Gestalt therapy including Husserl; Heidegger; Merleau-Ponty; Paul Goodman’s theory of self and the phenomenology of being, kinaesthetic movement and embodiment.

I have completed the UKCP Covid-19 Online Working Guidance.

My in-person practice has:

- an air-conditioned reception;
- a triple-filtered HEPA air-filtration system in my consulting room;
- sanitizer is available for use.

If you have any concerns about COVID-19, please let me know. I would be happy to discuss them.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Current secretary of New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy [NYIGT]
Center for Somatic Studies, New York City ~ [Alumnus]
The Society for Psychotherapy Research
International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy [IAAGT]
European Association for Gestalt Therapy [EAGT]
International Gestalt Therapy Study Group on Field-Emergent Self
The UK Association for Gestalt Practitioners [UKAGP]
European Association for Psychotherapy
The Society for Existential Analysis
Metanoia Institute, London
UKCP - Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy College
Registered psychotherapist with the General Psychotherapy Council (GPsyC)

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA (Hons) Communication Studies [incl. TEFL]
• Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling
• Advanced Certificate in Counselling
• Cognitive Behavioural Diploma in Counselling
• BACP Certificate of Proficiency (prior to moving to UKCP)
• Clinical Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy (Metanoia Institute, 2014)
• MSc in Gestalt Psychotherapy (Metanoia Institute, Level 7: Middlesex Uni Transcript: Jul. 2014)
• UKCP Registered and Accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist
• Preparing to Teach in Post Compulsory Education and Training, (Cardiff Met Uni, 2018)
• Certificate in Teaching and Learning (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2018)
• Certified Cyber Therapist (Online Therapy Institute, 2021)
• European Certificate of Psychotherapy (European Association for Psychotherapy, 2021)
• Certificate in Clinical Supervision (Metanoia Institute, 2021)
• European Certificate of Gestalt Psychotherapy (EAGT, 2023)
• Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy (Center for Somatic Studies, NYC, 2023)

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I am developing academic writing and international Gestalt Psychotherapy research:

• PhD in Psychology – specialising in Gestalt Psychotherapy Theory and Practice –
Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University [Level 8] [current] (2020 - )

In addition to the following:

• I worked with Kings College, London: providing research supervision for the Kings Research Fellowship (2022)

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Below are some of the recent conferences, seminars & courses I have attended:

• Welsh Government National Training Framework -
Understanding Honour Based Violence; Level 4, 2024

• Dan Zahavi: Center for Subjectivity Research, Copenhagen: The Unity and Plurality of Emotional Sharing: collective intentionality, plurality, and difference, Cardiff University, 2024

• Beyond Trauma - Has Clinical Practice been Reduced to Psycho-traumatology? - IPsiG and ISIPSÉ, 2023

• Artificial Intelligence International Summit, 2023

• Paul Goodman: The Revolutionary Imagination, Poetry, and Gestalt Therapy, 2023

• Metanoia Research Academy, 2023

• Phenomenology and Gestalt Psychotherapy, 2020 to date;

• Working with clay in online Gestalt therapy, 2023

• Online virtual therapy: its possibilities and limits, 2023

• 5th International Conference on Research in Gestalt Therapy: Hamburg:
Gestalt for Future - Creating a Network for Research {online} 2022

• Open Gestalt 24 hour Revolution Virtual Popup Conference:
Asociación Mexicana de Psicoterapia Gestalt Contemporánea, 2022

• International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy 2022:
IAAGT Ireland Conference: Edges of Exile & Belonging:

• Gestalt Therapy for Working with Alzheimer's & Other Irreversible Dementias
• A Gestalt Therapist Considers Autism
• How Core Beliefs Impact Feelings and Experiences of Exile and Belonging
• Gestalt Process Group Facilitation and Training

Gestalt 2021: XXI International Gestalt Conference: Kiev Gestalt University {online}

• Kinaesthetic Resonance (2021)
• Phenomenological, Aesthetic & Field Approach (2021)
• The Border of Contact (2021)
• The Art of Self (2021)

International Interdisciplinary Congress of Gestalt Psychotherapy (2021) – Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina {online}

• Concepts in Supervision
• The Heart of Psychotherapeutic Change: Developing Presence
• Intimacy and Tenderness
• To Hold the Hand That Holds Our Hands: Responsive Contacting
• In And Out of Love

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• Gestalt Group Psychotherapy (2022)
• Phenomenology and Gestalt Psychotherapy: II: (2022)
• Art in Gestalt Psychotherapy (2022)

• Effective Teaching & Online Learning - Middlesex University Teaching Course (2022) [Centre for Academic Practice Enhancement]:
Planning Learning & Teaching; Learning Theories; Techniques for Learning;
Assessment for Learning; Evaluating Teaching Impact;

• Artificial Intelligence, Middlesex University (2021)
• Online Training Techniques (2021)
• Relational Interventions for New Psychopathologies in a Post-Pandemic World -
Istituto di Gestalt Human Communication Center; Italy {online}
• Do we still favour those who are neurotypical? (2021)
• Perspectives from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (2021)
• Resilience, Dissociation & The Body: Restoring a sense of Self after Trauma (2021)
• Psychology of Video Games (2021)
• Data Protection & Privacy Online Certificate (2021)
• Embodied Intersubjectivities - The Body in the era of online therapy (2020)
• Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (2020) (ACTO /
Association for Counselling and Therapy Online recognised training)
• Moving Your Practice Online – Online Therapy Institute (2020)
• UKCP Remote Working (2020)
• GDPR Essentials (2020)
• Cybersecurity and Data Protection for Therapists (2020)
• Exploring the Future of Therapy & the Mental Health Profession in a Post-Pandemic World
• Covid-19: Psychological Impact, Wellbeing and Mental Health – NHS (2020)
• Contact in a Virtual World (2020)
• Enhanced Understanding of Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence for Organisational Leaders (2020)
• Welsh Government National Training Framework -
Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 /
Level 3: (Train the Trainer; 2020); Level 2: Ask & Act; (2019); Level 1: (2017);
• Essential Safeguarding Procedures for Adults and Children (2020)
• Counselling Adults on the Autistic Spectrum (2019)
• Trauma-informed teaching – Train the Trainer (2019)
• Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence: The Future of Psychotherapy (2019)
• Dialogue in Gestalt Psychotherapy {Martin Buber - the dialogic turn} (2015 - 2019)
• How Private is your Practice in Cyberspace? (2018)
• The General Data Protection Regulation (2018)
• Philosophy of Technology (2018)

PUBLICATIONS

Spiller, C. (2021). A Year of The Pandemic: Existential themes for psychotherapists. Existential Analysis, 32 (2), 250 – 261.

Spiller, C. (2021). Gestaltterapiens bankende hjerte. Årbok 2021, Norsk Gestaltterapeutforening, 122; Norsk Gestaltterapeutforening (ISSN 2703-9315)

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• UKCP Conference, Psychotherapy in a Changing World, London, Nov 22-23, 2024.

• International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy [IAAGT]
Biennial Conference, 2024: Veracruz, México, ONLINE PANEL:
Embodied encounter in a digital world: an emergent conversation among Gestalt Therapists;

• Middlesex University Postgraduate Researchers’ Summer Conference, 2024:
Self-Organised Symposium:
'On Being-in-the-Digital World: Mixed Methods Research into the Phenomenology of Gestalt Psychotherapy online';

• Metanoia Research Academy, 2024:
‘On Being-in-the-Digital World: Mixed methods research into the Phenomenology of Gestalt Psychotherapy online’;

• UKCP Annual International Research Conference, 2022
• Society for Existential Analysis Annual Conference, 2021
• Middlesex University Summer Research Conference, 2021

EVENT PRESENTATIONS

• Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA: Working with the Body Online: A Contemporary gestalt therapy approach, 2024;

• Developmental Somatic Psychotherapy Alumni - Exploring DSP in Remote Clinical Practice, 2024;

• Encountering Artificial Intelligence – Exploring a Phenomenology of Embodied Experience:
New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy: Winter Special Event & follow-up NYIGT Community discussion event, 2024;

• European Association Gestalt Therapy [EAGT] Research Webinar, 2022;
• International Gestalt Therapy Study Group on Field-Emergent Self ~
A Community Conversation, 2022;
• Sexual Violence Awareness {multi-agency}, 2020;
• Older People's Commissioner for Wales, 2019;
• International Women's Day community event, 2018;
• Multi-agency training incl. supervision within the public and third sectors, 2015 - 2017;

OTHER ACTIVITIES

• I held a governance role for 15 years on the board of a city centre young persons charity
• I volunteered for 3 years with a charity supporting people with lived experience of HIV and AIDS on a confidential helpline, also through training and support.
• I also held a management committee position for a local counselling charity dealing with referrals from primary care mental health support providers, policy and training development.

I work with

• Companies
• Groups
• Individuals

Special Interests

Like all UKCP registered psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors I can work with a wide range of issues, but here are some areas in which I have a special interest or additional experience.

Types of Therapies Offered

• Gestalt Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Age-related Issues
• Chronic Illness
• Employment Difficulties
• Health-related Issues
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Race Issues
• Relationships
• Sexual Abuse
• Stress
• Trauma