"The goal of therapy is not to remove stressors from our lives, but to build confidence in our ability to get through them."
gillian aiston, lmsw
ASSOCIATE THERAPIST
all about gillian
Gillian’s warm, empathetic, and relatable energy makes you feel like you are sitting on the couch talking to a friend. She brings authenticity and honesty to each session, allowing clients to instantly feel comfortable and at-ease, no matter how vulnerable the conversation may be. Her clients describe her as the type of therapist they can instantly “click” with.
No matter how big or small the challenge, Gillian provides meaningful and consistent support. She takes a customized and empowering approach, which gives clients the dedicated space that they need to build a life filled with purpose and enrichment. While she recognizes that therapy could feel intimidating at first, she believes that it is the most important investment you can make in yourself.
Her sessions are filled with reflection and emotional exploration, leading her clients towards a greater understanding of who they are and encouraging them to show up every day as the best version of themselves. She teaches her clients that they are capable of reaching their goals and works with them in confronting the barriers and breaking down the steps to get there. As a result, clients are able to reframe negative self-talk, build self-confidence, and achieve goals that they set out to accomplish years ago.
how she works
Gillian has experience working with individuals going through depression, anxiety, trauma, low self-esteem, body image, and relationship issues. She draws from various practice styles, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic and Solution Focused Therapy. Using these modalities, she encourages her clients to lean into their emotions, reframe their negative thought patterns, and develop a strong sense of self.
Gillian recognizes that life changes and transitions can bring on many obstacles and doubts. She guides her clients in taking the necessary steps to overcome these challenges and work towards a future that they feel excited about.
Her approach is practical, collaborative, and genuine, which gives clients the comfort they need to confide in her. Clients leave sessions feeling empowered, more self-assured, and realigned with their values and purpose. Her authentic, compassionate nature, and at times, a touch of humor, allows clients to feel heard, understood, and one step closer to their goals.
Get to know me
Good books - I love talking about the latest best sellers!
One thing you couldn't live without
My dog! I might be biased but I think he's the sweetest dog in the world
Something that always makes you smile
😂 - my friends are too funny!
Most used emoji
Anywhere near the water and preferably sunny & 75
Where is your happy place?
To snap my fingers and be anywhere I want instantly!
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
Drinking a green juice, using my ice roller & reading that days page in The Daily Stoic
Morning routine
Reading is always my go-to, it's the best way to decompress & get lost in another world
What do you do to de-stress?
I always try to and grocery shop and do laundry on Sundays, there's something about a full fridge and an empty hamper that makes me feel so put together!
How do you set yourself up for a successful week?
Hands down the south of France, I'm dying to get back there!
Favorite place you have traveled
Slow Sunday mornings, reading every night before bed, trying new recipes
Rituals
My life before working with Gillian was rooted in crisis management every single day.
I felt anxious, unable to manage my people pleasing, and like I was drowning in everything that I felt was being asked of me all the time. Working with Gillian has eased my fears of asking for what I need in my own relationships and realizing that what I need is just as valuable as what others need.
When I started working with Gillian, not everything felt like a crisis anymore.
Through our often boundary-setting and people pleasing conversations, Gillian helped me become more comfortable asking for what I need or at least figuring out how to give myself more time to build the courage to ask for what I need. Comment end
