| Languages: | English |
| Locations: | NHS Wandsworth – Face to Face |
Grace Donnelly
Grace Donnelly is a trainee integrative counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She is currently working towards a Diploma in Integrative Counselling at The Awareness Centre and provides counselling within NHS Talking Therapies in Wandsworth. Grace’s integrative training enables her to draw on a range of therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs of each client, recognising that no single model is appropriate for everyone. Her practice is particularly influenced by Person-Centred and Gestalt therapies, alongside elements of Transactional Analysis. She also values the principles of Solution Focused Brief Therapy, recognising that short-term counselling can provide clients with meaningful opportunities to gain insight, identify strengths and move towards positive change. Grace works with clients experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship challenges and periods of uncertainty or transition.
At the heart of Grace’s work is the therapeutic relationship. She believes that when clients feel genuinely heard, accepted and understood, they are better able to develop self-awareness and explore their experiences with honesty and compassion. Grace strives to create a safe, trusting and non-judgemental space where clients feel comfortable bringing all aspects of themselves into therapy, including emotions or experiences they may find difficult to express elsewhere. Her integrative approach allows her to work flexibly and collaboratively, responding to each client’s individual needs and goals. Alongside exploring thoughts and feelings, Grace is interested in how emotions can be experienced and expressed through the body and may encourage clients to develop greater awareness of these connections. She also supports clients in recognising patterns within their relationships, understanding their needs and boundaries, and exploring how past experiences may influence their current ways of relating to themselves and others. Grace sees therapy as an opportunity not only for insight and healing but also for developing more authentic and fulfilling relationships beyond the counselling room.
Before training as a counsellor, Grace worked as a solicitor before moving into a frontline homelessness caseworker role. These experiences gave her a deep understanding of the challenges people can face when navigating complex and often overwhelming life circumstances. Throughout her career, she worked closely with individuals affected by homelessness, domestic abuse, trauma, modern slavery, severe ill-health and housing insecurity. This background has shaped her appreciation of the ways in which social, relational and personal experiences can impact emotional wellbeing and mental health. Grace has a particular interest in supporting clients with anxiety, depression, self-esteem difficulties, attachment and relationship issues, boundaries, people-pleasing behaviours and life transitions. She aims to offer a compassionate and reflective space where clients can explore their experiences openly, develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their emotions, and consider new ways of responding to the challenges they face.
